Megan Boyd offers practical strategies and key tips to help parents ease the back-to-school transition. The first weeks back at school after the holidays can be a challenging adjustment for students as they transition from relaxed routines to structured school days. Parents play an important role...
Researchers Nicole Rinehart and David Moseley look closely at the questions that remain for those who don’t get NDIS support The Federal Government recently released Australia’s first National Autism Strategy, with A$42 million of funding for the first stage of the strategy. Many autistic Australians and their...
Katharine Clifton has a less-than-enthusiastic response to her daughter being assessed as gifted. Almost six months ago, my daughter was diagnosed as gifted. It came about when she performed well beyond expectations in a vocabulary test at her three-and-a-half-year check-up and the maternal health nurse suggested...
Looking for more lunch box goodies. Try these simple and healthy muffins from Donna Hay. Ingredients 2 Cups (320g) Wholemeal Self-Raising (Self-Rising) Flour ½ Cup (85g) Rapadura Sugar (available at supermarkets and made from evaporated cane juice). 2 Eggs 1 Cup (250ml) Buttermilk ⅔ Cup (160ml)...
Jennifer Aberhart recalls what homework meant when she was a child and wonders what today’s version is really teaching children. The Evolution of Homework Most grandparents would agree that the concept of homework has undergone a complete transformation. Naturally, parenting styles and socioeconomic factors influence child-rearing, but...
The phonics versus whole-language debate is counterproductive when it leads teachers to mindlessly apply one approach to all children. We need teachers who have a repertoire of approaches that includes teaching phonics and also rich whole-language experiences. Moving Beyond the Debate: What Educators Need to Know For teachers,...
Daryl Higgins and Gabrielle Hunt report on why sleepovers can be a fun part of childhood, and can foster independence, friendship, and resilience. Feeling unsure about your child going to a sleepover is completely normal. You might be worried about how well you know the host family,...
A new school year can see friendships change – this is tough on kids, but parents can help, writes Karyn Healy The start of the school year means new classes, routines, after-school activities and sometimes even a new school. This can be a really exciting time for...
With a ‘tradwife’ starring in Married at First Sight (MAFS), a nostalgic vision of womanhood takes centre stage, writes Christina Vogels When Married at First Sight Australia bride Lauren Hall said her main goal was to “serve” her man, the reality show contestant was reflecting a...
Researchers Archana Koirala, Bianca Middleton, Margie Danchin, Peter McIntyre and Rebecca Doyle look at what other vaccines you need when you’re expecting? From February 3, pregnant women in Australia were eligible for a free RSV vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. This vaccine is designed to protect...
