Daily life for kids in the 70s
School
School has always been a part of the childhood experience, but it hasn’t always looked the same as today.
Wolfgang Sievers, Teacher and small children in a classroom at Tom Price, Western Australia, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-160837401
Wolfgang Sievers, Teacher and small children in a classroom at Tom Price, Western Australia, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-160837401
Wolfgang Sievers, Children on a swing at Tom Price, Western Australia, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-160837526
Wolfgang Sievers, Children on a swing at Tom Price, Western Australia, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-160837526
Wes Stacey, Children in schoolyard of Maldon Public School, Victoria, ca. 1970, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-152171288
Wes Stacey, Children in schoolyard of Maldon Public School, Victoria, ca. 1970, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-152171288
Activity 1
As a class, look carefully at each photo and share what you can see. After, take a walk around your school and compare:
- Same: What is the same between the schools in the photo and your school?
- Different: In what ways are your school and the ones in the photo different?
- Connect: Do you feel like you have anything in common with the students in these photos?
- Engage: What would you like to ask, say or do with the people in these photos if you had a chance?
- Can you find your school’s old website? Try searching archived websites in Trove
Sport
Sport has always been a part of Australian culture. Not only is it entertaining to watch, but it is a great way to stay active, learn new skills and meet new people.
Australian Information Service, Young Australian children playing under age rugby, New South Wales, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137924845
Australian Information Service, Young Australian children playing under age rugby, New South Wales, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137924845
Australian Information Service, Group of young refugees from Indochina playing netball, Sydney, New South Wales, 1979, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3092082486
Australian Information Service, Group of young refugees from Indochina playing netball, Sydney, New South Wales, 1979, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3092082486
Peter Kelly, Australian Information Service, Visiting Hong Kong soccer team playing an Australian selected team in Canberra, August 1976, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137925009
Peter Kelly, Australian Information Service, Visiting Hong Kong soccer team playing an Australian selected team in Canberra, August 1976, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137925009
Jim Fitzpatrick & Australian Information Service, One hundred and eighty boys at a junior golf coaching camp near Sydney, 1978, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137925388
Jim Fitzpatrick & Australian Information Service, One hundred and eighty boys at a junior golf coaching camp near Sydney, 1978, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137925388
Don Edwards & Australian Information Service, Evonne Goolagong playing in the Australian Open Tennis Championships, Melbourne, 1 January 1967, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137405043
Don Edwards & Australian Information Service, Evonne Goolagong playing in the Australian Open Tennis Championships, Melbourne, 1 January 1967, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137405043
Activity 2
Conduct a class survey to discover which sports students play today. Tally the results on a board or poster.
In groups, discuss:
- How does playing sport make you feel?
- What skills can we learn from sports?
- How do you think new technology has changed sports?
At home, ask an adult:
- What sports did they play when they were your age?
- Do they have a favourite sports team?
- Did they look up to any sports stars?
Toys and games
Children’s toys and games on display in the exhibition 1975: Living in the Seventies
Children’s toys and games on display in the exhibition 1975: Living in the Seventies
Activity 3
These shelves show a selection of well-loved games from the 1970s. As a class, or in groups, look closely at the objects on display. Sort the games into 2 categories – games you still recognise and play today, and games that are no longer common and have stayed in the past.
Are there some games that look familiar but have changed slightly over 50 years?
Two boys are playing cards while two boys are watching, behind the Kingston shops, Canberra, 1971, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149740447
Two boys are playing cards while two boys are watching, behind the Kingston shops, Canberra, 1971, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149740447
Activity 4
Look closely at this photo, and use the See, Think, Wonder routine to share your thoughts and observations:
- See: What do you notice in this photo? Describe using details
- Think: What do you think is happening in this photo? Why do you think these children are playing cards?
- Wonder: What questions do you have about this photo? What do you wonder about the year, the game, the children?
Use this curiosity to think about your own life:
- What games do you like to play with your friends?
- What is your favourite game or toy to play today?
- How have games changed since the 1970s?
More to explore
Kathy Weeden reading her book Phonobet, illustrated by Kim Drane and published by NLA Publishing, at Enlighten at the Library 2024
