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"There's a bear in there…" There is nothing quite like Play School. A daily television show designed just for preschoolers, Play School is full of educational programs which are as fun as they are inspirational. This newly released DVD contains two of Play School's most popular videos, and a lot of what has now become classic music. In "Play School Meets the Orchestra", has George Spartels and Benita Collings receiving a visit from Sydney Symphony Orchestra musicians. Each of the musicians shows how their specific instruments can play favourite songs, "Oh we can play on the slide trombone, and this is the way we do it…" There are drums, trombones, violins. The pair then visit's a working orchestra, and talks us through a concert , from warm up, through a number of well known classical pieces. The camera pans around so children can see each instrument working along with the conductor. We learn about the role of the conductor, Roland Peelman. The music is described as it moves from soft to loud. We then return to the Play School room where we can equate the musical sounds and instrumental playing to various animals like the elephant (portrayed by a Cello), a bird (flute and clarinet), and a cat (clarinet and xylaphone). There are stories about the orchestra, paintings, cartoons, mini film clips, orchestrated nursery rhymes, and dancing. There are children's music lessons, music collaborations of all kinds, full orchestral concerts, and plenty of fluffy toys. As usual with Play School, the entertaining team takes a full approach to what they teach, using craft, sound, motion, texture, and other visual stimulus. With help from Trisha Goddard, Monica Trapiga, Noni Hazlehurst, Tara Marice, Philip Quast, and James Valentine, children learn about rhythm and beat, about the way an orchestra works, the sounds of all the different instruments, how instruments get cleaned and put away. It's a wonderfully rich approach to learning, and by the end of this terrific DVD which is full of great music from the most well known composers like Beethoven, Shostakovitch, and Mozart, to some modern pieces (including one about birds with visual illustrations of what the music is trying to convey), favourite nursery rhymes, and Play School songs. The segments are all short enough to hold young children's attention, with lots of laughter, and about as much musical learning as you could hope for. This is a superb DVD which belongs in every child's library.
In "Everybody Sing", there are four separate segments, including an opening "Hello" which introduces all of the great presenters to children. This DVD includes all of Play School's favourite and classic segments, including 'Who is Hiding,' with nursery rhymes to introduce the plush characters Humpty Dumpty, Jemima (who sings Miss Polly), and the Pig (this little piggy - a nice jazzy version). This CD is full of songs like 'Let's Go Walking,' with nursery rhymes like 'Little Miss Muffet,' 'Jack and Jill,' and 'Mary Had a Little Lamb.'
As with "Play School Meets the Orchestra", the team relies on a rich multimedia/multisensual combination of human presenters, dress ups, stuffed animals, cartoons, clay animation, stories, painting, dance, and of course lots and lots of songs. The props are all simple enough or children to replicate in their play, and the pace is just right for young children. Other favourite songs include 'Dingle Dangle Scarecrow' 'Musical Freeze,' 'Wobbly Walk,' 'Three Jellyfish,' 'Der Glumph,' 'Teddy Bear Teddy Bear,' 'Bear Hunt,' and 'Rollover.' The presenters are terrific, talented, and funny, and include favourites like George Spartels, Monica Trapaca, and Noni Hazelhurst. It's all a lot of fun, encourages children to move and copy the play when they aren‘t watching, teaches other language versions of favourite songs and good habits like brushing teeth, and the variety of song, make believe play, stories, and dance will have your children watching this video again and again.
Taken as a set, this double DVD of one of Australia's best known children's television programs is excellent value. This could be the only DVD you need to provide short segments when your child needs a quiet break, or a long watch on a sick or rainy day. For children familiar with Play School, this DVD represents the ‘best of,' and children will enjoy reliving their favourite songs and activities with presenters and stuffed animals they know. For children who haven't grown up on Play School, this DVD is a great way to introduce some fabulous programming. The songs are universal enough to appeal to children of all ages. This double DVD is an excellent gift for children aged 1-5, and will get a lot of use.
