Play School Introduces New Indigenous Character

Play School have proudly introduced a new indigenous character and the public reaction is awesome!

Sharing on the ABC Indigenous Facebook page they wrote, “This is Kiya pictured here with her deadly friend Miranda Tapsell.

“Kiya is the new Indigenous doll on Play School and will make her debut during NAIDOC Week in the special episode, ‘Acknowledgement of Country’, celebrating our Indigenous language and culture.

“Kiya’s dress is a collaboration with Noongar artist Kiya Watt and is a special story about her people and the Mother Ocean.

You can catch the episode on the 8th of July from 9.00am on ABC KIDS, with an all-star cast of presenters Miranda Tapsell, Luke Carroll and Hunter Page-Lochard who will find out where Kiya is from and learn to say hello in her language.”

Parents are thrilled by the new addition and have shared their appreciation with the ABC:

“I’m a bit teary about this one. Thank you play school. I wish the world had been aware enough for this to happen when my now big boy was little.”

“When kids can see themselves reflected in media, thank you #abc”

“At last and wonderful to hear – will spread the word.”

“FABULOUS!. I wish Kiya had been around 40 years ago when I was learning (and teaching)”

” So proud of the ABC Playschool show. It is a wonderful thing to see Nyoogar representation on our TV’s. What a great Naidoc celebration for many First Australians. As a non indigenous Australian I just love love love this.”

“Great idea to introduce a new indigenous character to educate children. I applaud the project, keep the good ideas coming ABC Kids.”

“This is amazing… I am looking forward to play this episode in my kindergarten room.”

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23 Comments

- - mom111059 said
  - 31 Jul 2020
    9:16 pm
That is a positive thing for Play school to do.

- - mom62624 said
  - 29 Oct 2019
    8:15 pm
Wonderful, thank you Play School.

- - mom81879 said
  - 24 Oct 2019
    3:06 pm
I’ve been watching shows like Playschool and Sesame Street for many many years now and never noticed it was inclusive. There were never multi cultural characters, no homosexual ones, none with drug or mental health issues. And you know what? I grew up fine, my kids grew up fine. These shows are watched for fun learning, kids don’t need all the political correctness shoved at them at such a young age

- - shan83 said
  - 12 Aug 2019
    9:17 am
This is fantastic. Will have to catch up on the episode. Great work Play School

- - Blossom said
  - 02 Aug 2019
    11:08 pm
The doll will hopefully help break down some of the racial discrimination for children that often starts with the parents. Unfortunately the main thing that symbolises the indigenous people is the patterns on the clothing.

- - mom343701 said
  - 31 Jul 2019
    6:52 am
totally love it!!!!!

- - Ellen said
  - 16 Jul 2019
    8:06 am
I love it !

- - rachelvk said
  - 09 Jul 2019
    11:25 pm
Very cool – well done Play School

- - Gurtling said
  - 08 Jul 2019
    6:57 am
Thats realy good. I hope they introduce some Aboriginal language and some of the tribal traditions. May be hard because of our many tribes but worth a go.

- - mom119776 said
  - 06 Jul 2019
    11:52 pm
I love this!

- - happymum2018 said
  - 03 Jul 2019
    9:24 pm
This is very cool

- - becstalou said
  - 03 Jul 2019
    6:15 pm
This is a great step in the right direction.

- - nadine_hill said
  - 03 Jul 2019
    11:58 am
I think it’s fabulous! and a long time coming!

- - mom93821 said
  - 29 Jun 2019
    3:42 pm
Good on Play School – it is about time.

- - mom290396 said
  - 27 Jun 2019
    11:37 pm
I’m honestly surprised it’s taken this long! I’ve only just gotten back into play school after 15 years, so never noticed/remembered that they didn’t have an indigenous character

- - DaffyD said
  - 25 Jun 2019
    8:40 am
Great for all kids to see that we are all the same and great for indigenous kids to see themselves represented
- Mum2archer replied
  
  28 Jun 2019 , 2:54 pm
  I totally agree with you! I wonder why it’s taken so long to bring this in?
- - Ellen said
  - 25 Jun 2019
    7:58 am
Love it, well done !

- - mom265671 said
  - 24 Jun 2019
    10:56 pm
Wonderful news

- - BellaB said
  - 24 Jun 2019
    7:21 pm
Playschool is jst such an amazing show.
- mom93821 replied
  
  30 Jun 2019 , 7:51 am
  Play School is a quality show.
- - serotonin said
  - 24 Jun 2019
    1:53 pm
I’d never really considered what ethnicity the characters are. Or how many are human (Jemima springs to mind). I know there are other characters like Humpty, Big Ted and Little Ted, and so on. It’s been years since I’ve watched it though. It’s fantastic for sure. I hope they make a few other different ones too. The more the merrier!