There have been many changes to ECEC theory and practice since the beginnings of SDN. However, recognition of the importance of play for the wellbeing of children physically, emotionally and intellectually has remained a constant. With that in mind it is interesting to look at some examples of pedagogical and paediatric over the years from SDN’s archives.

An interesting example is in Talks to Parents from 1947 by influential Australian pedagogue Zoe Benjamin (read her bio in the Australian Dictionary of Biography here). See the extract below:

"For the last 50, in fact, ever since kindergartens began to be established, children's play has been given more and more thought.  Thousands of children have been watched by properly trained people, and as a result we now know a great deal about the play needs of the child at every stage of his development, from infancy onwards.

To begin with, we know that play is not merely a childish way of passing the time, but that it is of supreme importance to human beings of all ages. The pre-school child spends the greater part of his waking life in play; the school child, all available time out of school; and the desire for play doesn't end with childhood as we know."

Something else interesting is a typed document from 1950 regarding play materials in nursery schools for children in each age group. It sets out recommended numbers of various toys (e.g. blocks, dolls) per number of children in each age group as well as offering suggestions for “musical instruments and equipment” such as drums and triangles and “nature study equipment” such as aquariums, gardening material and sandpits.

Finally, from 1978 we have a booklet within the SDN Archive called The Physical 2-Year-Old from the Understanding Your Child series. It includes the following passage which describes observations of children playing at a centre:

Historical photos of children at play

Children at play at Sydney Day Nursery, 126 Dowling Street in 1906 (SDN's first centre). Note the children are outdoors engaging with wooden horses, dolls and musical instruments. 

Children at play on a bicycle and in a sandpit in the upstairs playground at Woolloomooloo Nursery School at 208 Dowling Street in 1932.

Children at play on a slippery dip at Nissen Hut Herne Bay in 1946, now Riverwood. At the time equipment such as slippery dips and swings were designed to stimulate big muscle activity.

Transforming sand play with large tractor tyres at SDN Hamilton Street in Bathurst during the 1960s.

A giant ball swing makes a cosy hide-away at SDN Hamilton Street in Bathurst in the 1960s.