In 1966, the television program Play School began its run in Australia, revolutionising children's programming around the world, alongside the UK's Blue Peter and the American Sesame Street.

Producer Henrietta Clark reflects on the early years of the show in this NFSA Oral History excerpt. She references a variety of comparable shows to illustrate Play School's unique format, her comments offering an insightful examination of the gaps in children's television programming of the era. With the clear aim of engaging pre-schoolers, an emerging audience category, Play School took a dynamic approach to education. Presenters introduced concepts through multiple media and forms, tailoring their approach to the fluidity of young minds.

These reflections reveal the new studies about early childhood development that emerged in the 1960s, showing how narrower audience targets were critical. A dynamic approach to telling stories, and the ABC's support as an educational arm, also formed the foundation of a program that continues to speak to how children of a specific age view and understand the world.