Jacinta Parsons suffers the consequences of some wicked wordplay with her daughter. “Can you say Bubonic Plague?” I asked, pointing to a picture of a rat-type character in my two-year-old daughter’s storybook. Without hesitation, she began attempting the four-syllable historical reference to her once innocent rat....
Mia Cobb looks at the science of happier dogs and tips to keep them happy When you hear about “science focused on how dogs can live their best lives with us”, it sounds like an imaginary job made up by a child. However, the field of...
New video game redefines the neurodiverse narrative “Distracts others, has trouble paying attention and finds it difficult to follow instructions” – these are just some common observations parents, teachers and workplaces often make about people who are neurodivergent. Challenging Neurodiverse Stereotypes through Gaming University of South Australia researcher...
Here’s why you should try and say something else, writes Amanda Niland Good girl! Good boy! Parents, relatives and teachers say these phrases all the time and mean them positively. They may use it when a child puts on their shoes when asked, when they draw something interesting,...
‘School is boring’: what does it mean when your child says they’re bored in class? How you can help? write researchers Amanda Bourgeois and Annemaree Carroll, Gatot Adri/Shutterstock Have you ever asked your child how school was today, only to be told it was “boring”? Unfortunately, this conversation...
Ready-made foods for infants and toddlers bought in pouches and boxes in Australian supermarkets fall dismally short of nutrient, labelling and marketing requirements set out by the World Health Organization (WHO) High Sugar and Misleading Claims Raise Concerns A new study from Monash University reveals that 77%...
There are some myths about reading that tend to be perpetuated relentlessly. One of them: That graphic novels* don’t count as “real reading.” However, teachers and literacy experts disagree with this. Graphic novels will improve your child's reading skills like any other book would, and they are fantastic...
Nick Fuller looks at 5 picky eating habits – and how to help your child overcome them. Have you ever found yourself negotiating with a pint-sized dictator about eating a single pea? You’re not alone. Almost half of kids go through a stage of picky eating,...
A recent survey conducted by Act for Kids, a national child protection charity, highlights the severe effects of Australia's cost-of-living crisis on children and families. Key Findings from the Survey: Health Care Accessibility: 43% of respondents reported difficulties affording health care for their families. Educational Needs:...
The government’s social media ban for kids will exempt ‘low-risk’ platforms. Lisa M. Given looks at what this means. In a speech to the New South Wales and South Australian government social media summit today, Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland announced more details of how...
