Island Life on Play School: Celebrating Culture with Uncle Charles and “Taba Naba”

In a heartwarming episode of Playschool titled “Island Life,” features Uncle Charles Passi, a proud Torres Strait Islander, joins the show and introduces viewers to the sit-down dance “Taba Naba,” a traditional Torres Strait Islander song that celebrates island life, the sea, and community connection. This is a great opportunity for educators to learn to dance to teach children.

“Taba Naba” is more than a catchy tune—it’s a cultural treasure. By sharing it with a national audience, Play School fosters early appreciation for First Nations cultures, encouraging children to celebrate diversity and learn through joyful participation. The sit-down format of the dance also makes it accessible to children of all abilities.

Performed alongside beloved presenter Alex Papps, the dance becomes a shared moment of cultural learning. Uncle Charles also provides a translation of the song’s lyrics, helping children understand the meaning behind the movements and words—a beautiful example of language preservation and cultural respect.

Watch the song with the sit-down dance here: Taba Naba

Island Life is part of the Play School: My Place, My Home series; the episode is available to stream on ABC iView. 

Watch here: Island Life

Further Reading 

Taba Naba
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Songs Posters