TV shows are great way to talk about disability with your child and help them feel confident in who they are from a young age. There are some great episodes of family favourites like Play School and Bluey that share the stories of children with disability. There are also new shows to discover!
We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite episodes, segments and shows that are suitable for pre-school aged children, and available to stream for free online.
Bluey
Turtleboy
This episode of Bluey featuring Dougie, a Deaf character who signs in Auslan with his mum. The episode also has an Auslan interpreter to make it even more accessible, and was created with input from the Deaf community.
ABC Education Story Time
One the ABC Education website, you can find 10 children’s books signed for you in Auslan. Books include ACD favourite Come Over to My House by Eliza Hull and Sally Rippin.
Play School
Through the window
There are many “through the window” segments on Play School that explore the lives of children with disability.
This episode features 7-year-olds Isabella and Macie, who is short-statured, going for a bushwalk. This episode features Christian, who has Down Syndrome, going for a play date with his friend Georgia.
Same and different
Play School’s Same and Different series helps children discover and celebrate all the similarities and differences we find around us. Featuring presenters with visible disabilities, these episodes talk about all the different ways there are to be you!
Little kids big talk
In this video children ask Australian paralympic gold-medalist Kurt Fearnley all about what it’s like to live with disability. One of Kurt’s interviewers is a young boy who also uses a wheelchair, and Kurt answers their questions simply and thoughtfully, with a great sense of humour.
Play School Story Time
Play School’s Story Time segment also features books about inclusion and people with disability, as well as a diverse cast of story tellers.
The last 5 episodes of season 6 are interpreted in Auslan as well, so everyone can get involved.
Show time
In this segment, well known Australians and children’s entertainers perform special renditions of famous Play School songs, stories and nursery rhymes. Some include presenters with disability, like Dylan Alcott and Tony Armstrong’s Driving in My Car, and Paralympian Sarah Rose’s Do You Put Your Hat on?
Mixmups
Mixmups follows Pockets the bear, Giggle the cat, and Spin the rabbit as they embark on creative, fun-filled adventures. With a cast voiced by children with disabilities and a world that’s fully accessible, Mixmups is a show that makes play and imagination open to all. Two of the main characters also have visible disability. Giggle uses a wheelchair, and Pockets has low vision and explores the world with her guide dog Yapette.
Peppa Pig
Mandy Mouse
In this episode, Mandy Mouse comes to visit Peppa’s playgroup, to see if she likes it or not. Mandy uses a wheelchair, and shows her new friends how fast she can go down the hill and how good she is at sports. Everyone includes Mandy, and at the end of the episode Mandy decides she likes her new playgroup, and doesn’t want to go home!
Mandy Mouse’s Birthday
In this episode, Mandy Mouse invites everyone to her birthday party – all centred around her special interest… cheese! While cheese isn’t everyone’s favourite thing, they all join in on the fun at Cheese World and celebrate Mandy’s birthday her way.
Sally and Possum
Sally and Possum explore, discover, and learn about the world around them using Auslan. In each episode, Sally and Possum, with a little help from their young friends, use sign language to interact with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing as they find fun-filled solutions to everyday problems.
Fizzy and Suds
Fizzy and Suds explores children’s worlds through their intense interests and passions. Each episode focuses on a different interest, ranging from trains and buses to butterflies and sushi. Fizzy and Suds join real children as they explore activities related to their passions. The show also features a range of children with disability, and is designed to cater to all children.
Useful links
Stream TV shows and movies with great disability representation
Getting started at child care and kindergarten
Read more Books & TV