For the first time in 53 years, Play School tackles death

© ABC Baby Clara and mum Kate join Emma Palmer on Play School. (ABC)

For the first time in 53 years, the ABC show Play School has tackled the issue directly with a new episode about beginnings and endings.

Presenter Emma Palmer wrote the episode and said it was a sensitive topic that experts felt needed to be properly addressed.
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In this very special episode, Play School is celebrating new life, and also reflecting on the love we have for those who are no longer with us and have died. There are times to play, laugh, sing and have fun, and there are also times to be sad and treasure our memories of people and pets we miss.

Emma introduces us to a friend's newborn baby (and has some exciting news herself!) and Alex shares how he and his family remember his grandmother.
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Through stories and play, we explore ways to help children through what can be challenging times. It's time to talk about the beginnings and endings of life on Play School.

Notes for families and educators
The Notes for Families and Educators contain detailed information about themes explored in Beginnings and Endings (including information on how to support children in times of grief), details of all of the songs and books featured in the episode, and loads of additional resources to further explore the themes in the special.

play_school_beginnings_and_endings_notes.pdf
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The Play School team have identified key topics that are of concern to families living with pre-school children and collaborated with specialists within the early childhood sector to create one off Play School Specials. Beginnings and Endings has been crafted to help families explain the cycle of life and the concept of death in an age appropriate way.
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The Beginnings and Endings episode has been made in consultation with the National Centre for Childhood Grief, who worked with the Play School team throughout the development of the show. The centre recognised that there is currently very little available to help children experiencing grief and that introducing the subject in a gentle, safe environment, as this episode is doing, is a great way to help children start to understand life and death.

Alex discusses the Beginnings and Endings special

Emma discusses the Beginnings and Endings special

You can watch the episode, Beginnings and Endings, on ABC iview.