Rachael Sharman and Michael Nagel report A recent Beyond Blue survey of more than 2,000 teachers identified mental ill-health and excessive screen time as the biggest problems facing their students. Comments from teachers revealed a perceived lack of social skill development in children and teens. As one...
Juliana Zabatiero, Kate Highfield, Leon Straker and Susan Edwards look at how parents and carers can help children with what researchers call “technology transitions”. Many Australian parents worry about how much time their children spend watching screens. While some time on devices is fine for entertainment and...
To improve Australia’s education system, we need to move away from the idea that the basic features of education are fixed, writes Professor John Quay Have you heard of ‘Flat-Earth education’? It’s a phrase I am using as a provocation to highlight a problem – the...
As 26th January approaches, it can be a confusing time for many Australians, writes Wiradjuri woman Jess Staines, The Koori Curriculum If you’re a parent who grew up celebrating it as our ‘national day’ with BBQs, beers and beach, then you might have mixed feelings about...
Discipline does not have to be hardline to be effective, writes Mary Pearl. My husband is a primary school teacher who uses a piano accordion (“A creature lives and breathes in a big grey box, can you guess what it is?”) and three monkeys to capture...
A chance encounter leads Steve Biddulph to reflect on the nature of families and the challenges we all face. It’s morning in Dorrigo, northern NSW, a town of such loveliness that I can never quite believe it. A dramatic backdrop of rainforest ranges sets off old-style...
Naomi Zouwer looks at how this can help them take risks, embrace failure and be comfortable with uncertainty As a visual artist and educator, I know how important it is to encourage your child to think and behave like an artist. But this is not necessarily...
Children are naturally curious, so start young and make gallery visits a normal activity, writes Naomi Zouwer In our house, we have a favourite story about the time our toddler was dragged from the National Portrait Gallery kicking and screaming, “I want to see more paintings!!!” She...
It's a mix of emotions – like excitement, nervousness, or uncertainty - in the lead-up to big changes, writes Shelley Lipshut The leap from primary to secondary school marks a profound milestone in a child's educational journey. It is a juncture teaming with anticipation and trepidation....
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is more often diagnosed in children, writes Alison Poulton. That might make you wonder if people grow out of it as they reach adulthood. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that involves difficulties focusing attention (for study or work) and/or sitting still or...
