NeeDoh is the latest squishy sensory toy to go viral, write Susan Rowe, Amy L. Kenworthy and Daniel Brennan. Social media is reporting how these blobs of gel are flying off the shelves, and are in short supply. But squishy sensory toys have been around much...
For many working mums, the hardest critic isn’t a boss, a teacher or another parent — it’s the voice in their own head. Emma Robertson reflects on motherhood, guilt, grandmothers and the impossible standard of being everywhere at once. What makes a “real” mother? Mention childcare and...
With more creativity than you might think, report Annabel Blake, Eduardo Velloso and Marcus Carter In 2022, the founders of chatbot startup Character.AI launched a platform where anyone could create interactive characters powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The app exploded, quickly growing to more than 20 million...
Don’t throw it out! Australians are feeling the pressure of rising grocery prices. At the same time, writes Lauren Ball and Emily Burch, we throw away huge amounts of perfectly edible food every year. Australians are feeling the pressure of rising grocery prices. At the same...
They should be regular, reports Shane Rogers, not just a one‑off. Students’ mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing schools. In Australia, half of all adult mental health challenges emerge before the age of 14. It is also estimated that more than 50% of children...
We studied the bacteria on kids’ sports mouthguards. The amount can lead to bacterial buildup and potential health risks, report researchers Huseyin Sumer, Bita Zaferanloo and Vito Butardo Jr. Many young Australians are beginning their winter sports season, gearing up for sports such as football, hockey...
New research suggests it can also help mental health, reports Fotini Vasilopoulos, Pretend play is a significant and often magical part of childhood. Children have huge imaginations and use these to turn rocks into spaceships, tables into forts or pens into fairies. They might pretend to be...
Family laundry has a way of multiplying overnight. From school uniforms and sports gear to mystery stains, missing socks and towels that never seem to dry, the washing basket can feel endless. A few smart systems can make the job quicker, cheaper and less stressful. Make...
Teenagers are growing fast, learning more independence and often making more of their own food choices. But many Australian teens are missing out on the nutritious foods they need, reports Catharine Fleming. Here’s what parents can do to help — without making every meal a...
New safety standards will help, but stay vigilant, advises Yang Xiang. On a quiet suburban street, a modern Australian home wakes before its owners do. The lights turn on automatically, the thermostat adjusts to a comfortable temperature, and the coffee machine begins brewing. A doorbell camera watches...
