Researchers Tonia Gray, Jaydene Barnes and Marion Sturges write that you should stand back and avoid saying ‘be careful!’ There is ongoing concern about the impact of “helicopter parenting” on children’s growth and development. Keen to ensure the best outcomes for their children, helicopter parents tend to...
Baby’s first pet: what pets are best for kids? One of the most rewarding bonds your child can make is with an animal. A pet not only provides warmth and companionship but also teaches life lessons such as responsibility around feeding, cleaning, and walking a pet...
Every parent should be concerned about the well-being of all children, especially those in state care. New Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) data shows that criminal charges are laid against at least two out of every five of their clients placed in residential care within 12 months...
Fees keep climbing, and the Australian consumer watchdog is only halfway through an inquiry into childcare prices, reports Danielle Wood The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s interim report was released on Wednesday. It comes just days after the federal government’s increased childcare subsidies kicked in on...
At this time of year, many parents and carers are asking a familiar set of questions, write Kate Highfield and Victoria Minson Should I send my child to school next year? Are they ready? Would it be better to hold them back? These are complex questions. Here...
“From toddler-hood, to teenage years, one thing is certain – we all make mistakes. How we handle mistakes and how we learn from them in childhood can set us up for life.” writes Dr Justin Coulson Dr Coulson shares his parenting top tips on mistake-making and...
How do men feel when they become fathers? A new podcast about dads, families, and work explores how our policies and organisations could (and should) change to support working fathers and their families. By Daniel Halliday, Dr Melissa Wheeler and Professor Cordelia FineWhen we spoke...
The HILDA survey shows a big increase in shared child care among separated parents, while the annual number of people separating from a partner is about five in every 1,000 reports Dr Esperanza Vera-Toscano Separated parents in Australia are becoming increasingly better at negotiating shared care arrangements...
Camp Quality has expanded their Kids’ Guide to Cancer with the aim of improving health outcomes for families, including those from multicultural communities. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is difficult for any family. It can be hard to know what to say to your kids, how...
Children transition from primary school and into high school, carrying with them skills, attitudes, and values toward learning and in particular, reading. It is widely accepted that the purpose of education is to provide children with the skills to learn and participate in society. While...
