Education News

Starting school is a big step for children and their families. In the early days, the focus is on building strong foundations, helping children settle into routines, make friends, and feel comfortable in a structured classroom environment. This transition can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming.

Quality children’s screen content can help to make this change easier, introducing preschoolers to classroom routines and providing examples of friendships and problem solving in ways that reflect real-life school experiences.

The Australian children’s programs below offer wonderful examples of school life, with fun, relatable stories featuring characters and settings your child can connect with. Watching together also gives parents the chance to answer questions and link what children see on screen to their own experiences at school. This might include simple things, such as putting their hand up to answer a question or getting their lunchbox out of your bag, through to bigger life skills like sharing and making new friends.

Starting school is a milestone worth celebrating. By sharing these stories and talking about them together, you can turn screen time into a meaningful learning experience – and a special way to bond during a time that may feel new and uncertain.

Little J & Big Cuz: Learning Through Everyday Adventures (SBS on Demand, ABC iview)

Little J & Big Cuz was created as part of a School Readiness Initiative to help First Nations children navigate the transition from home to school. However, the content is supporting and relevant to all preschoolers preparing to start school. Episodes introduce common classroom and playground routines and scenarios, like listening to the teacher, making friends and participating in cultural activities.

Benefits for your child include:

• Relatable scenarios: Children see characters experiencing the same feelings they might have about starting school.
• Cultural inclusivity: It reflects diverse Australian experiences, helping all children feel represented.
• Conversation starters: Parents can use episodes to talk about what school will be like and answer questions.

Little Lunch: Big Lessons in Small Moments (Netflix, ABC iview)

Set in a primary school playground, Little Lunch is a comedy mockumentary series where every episode takes place during morning snack time. It explores the big issues in a primary schooler’s life: spelling tests, dress up days, lunchbox dramas and monkey bar etiquette. Preschoolers can benefit from seeing what school life looks like in and beyond the classroom, with relatable characters modelling social problem-solving through plots that see them building friendships, navigating disagreements, and working as a team.

Benefits for your child include:

• Realistic settings: The playground scenes help children imagine what break time might be like.
• Explores playground dynamics: The series demonstrates characters joining in games, taking turns and solving disagreements.
• Positive role models: Each character has their own quirks which are accepted by their classmates, showing kids it’s okay to be themselves.

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies: Social-Emotional Skills Through Play (SBS on Demand, Netflix)

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies follows Eddie and his friends on their playground adventures as they navigate the fun and challenges of friendship. While not classroom-focused, Eddie’s Lil’ Homies tackles concepts like confidence, competitiveness and conflict, using music, rhythm and rhyme. It can help children from preschool age to develop personal and social skills like communication, confidence and collaboration, valuable skills in school readiness.

Benefits for your child include:

• Resilience building: Characters model strategies such as practicing, asking for help, and believing in yourself.
• Promotes kindness: With the help of catchy songs and raps, kids learn about respect and empathy.
• Celebrates diversity: The show reflects a range of cultures and experiences, helping children feel represented.