ACER Foundation

School Readiness Television Initiative

ACER and the ACTF have committed to the development and production of a television series to provide learning opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The main purpose of this is to support and enrich the transition from home to school for Aboriginal children and to provide high quality learning resources for use in the home, schools and wider community.

Content fundamentals for a TV show aimed at Indigenous children aged 3 to 6

Using television to improve learning opportunities for Indigenous children

Why Television?

1. Television is ubiquitous. Research shows that young Australian children and their families already watch many hours of television each week – much of it non-educational and designed for adults rather than children; and  
2. International research shows that high quality educational programs targeted at young children can make a significant difference to children’s levels of school readiness.

High quality television programs can ensure that children have the best possible start to school. Our aim is to build on the cultural learning that Aboriginal children already have and to develop the foundational skills that will enable them to be confident learners in mainstream schooling.

Program details

Television Production

The proposal is to fund a television series for children aged 3 to 6 that is child-centred with strong educational content and a positive image of Aboriginal children and culture. 

Outreach Program 

The purpose of the Outreach Program is to use the television production as a springboard to bring communities and educators together in a two-way conversation about how children’s learning can best be supported outside and inside formal schooling.

Teaching and Learning Resources

Each television series will be supported by culturally appropriate, evidence-based web- and print-based early learning resources to encourage family and parent involvement and to allow specific learning concepts from episodes to be reinforced.

Program development timeline
The series will be ready for release to air by the end of 2013

Australian Children's Television Foundation