Childcare centres may have clear rules for staff numbers, write Tammy Williams and Marg Rogers, but there are loopholes to get around them. There is a growing number of “serious incidents” in Australian early childhood services, including day cares. A serious incident is one that seriously compromises...
I’m a drowning prevention researcher, writes Amy Peden, and my kid’s school swimming carnival shocked me. It is swimming carnival season in Australia. This typically means children from about Year 2 and up are asked to swim a distance of 50 metres or one length of...
As Disney and other studios reinvent classic fairy tales, what subtle lessons about gender, race and consumerism are children absorbing? Dr Karen Brooks explores why revisiting original stories still matters. The Magic — and the Marketing What lessons are these sumptuous, happily-ever-after tales of beautiful and very...
For many of us, pets are more than just animals. They are family. So, when a beloved pet dies, the grief can feel overwhelming, writes Erin Smith For some, like me, it does more than break your heart. The death of a pet can reopen old...
We often blame mobile phones for distracted driving. But for parents, the biggest risks may come from inside the car — a baby crying, siblings arguing, or even an engaging audiobook. Researchers Johra Kayeser Fatima, Jeroen van Boxtel, Ram Subramanian and Somayeh Bahmannia have found...
Yes, men have a biological clock too. If you’re looking to conceive, age is a consideration but not the only factor, writes Theresa Larkin When we talk about a biological clock ticking, it usually means the pressure women feel to fall pregnant before a certain age....
Teacher retention remains a significant concern in Australia, with stress, burnout, and job dissatisfaction being major contributors to educators leaving the profession, writes Hugh Gundlach Numerous studies and media reports highlighting declining job satisfaction and deteriorating wellbeing among teachers make attracting new applicants challenging as well. Declining...
Should we do couples counselling? Are we happy? Are we both pulling in the same direction? How can we get our spark back? Will the therapist take sides? Priscilla Dunk-West explains. These kinds of questions are normal in a society that places such importance on coupledom, despite...
If school lunch programs are going to work in Australia, families’ support will be crucial, report researchers Brittany Johnson, Alexandra Manson and Rebecca Golley Most Australian children bring their lunch to school through a “lunchbox system”. But there is a growing push for schools to provide students...
If you feel like your friendship circle has shrunk in recent years, what can you do about it? Asks Anastasia Hronis, Loneliness is quietly emerging as one of the most significant health issues in Australia, and it can affect people of all ages, backgrounds and life stages. Long-term...
