Annoyance gradually becomes enjoyment, as Fiona Adams finds herself at home from work for the day with her sick child. “Don’t tell me you can’t go to school. You have to go to school,” I told my six-year-old daughter as she stared at me with her...
School breaks make up more than an hour of the school day. Should they be considered part of learning? Asks researcher Brendon Hyndman Most public debate about schooling focuses on what happens inside the classroom – on lessons, tests and academic results. But students also spend significant...
From diagnosis to therapy and school support, families of neurodivergent children often face complex systems and long waiting lists. Researchers Kelsie Boulton and Adam Guastella suggests the parents under the most strain are often the ones waiting the longest. Parenting any young child is full of...
Most children bounce back from pain after an injury or illness. But for one in five – approximately 877,000 children in Australia –report Joshua Pate and Mark Hutchinson, the pain continues. Clinicians call this chronic or persistent pain, meaning pain that lasts longer than three months....
Bluey is a smart show that draws on all kinds of inspirations for its charming stories, including religious ones. Sarah Lawson writes that her newly published research looks at what Bluey has to say about religion, and the religion of play which the characters live...
Resilience isn’t something children are simply born with – it develops over time through everyday experiences, challenges and relationships. From farm chores and favourite TV shows to books, injuries and life challenges, these Child Mags articles explore the many ways children learn resilience. Here are some...
Nappy changes happen many times a day, but they can be more than just a routine task. Katherine Bussey and Nicole Downes suggest that by slowing down, talking with your baby and responding to their cues, parents can begin building early lessons about trust, respect and...
Families with young children were left yet again reeling after a Four Corners investigation into abuse in the early childhood sector, reports Danielle Arlanda Harris The program identified almost 150 childcare workers who had been convicted, charged, or accused of sexual abuse and inappropriate conduct. System-wide changes...
Stress is part of growing up, but coping skills can be learned. Psychologist and Associate Professor Erica Frydenberg explains why supportive relationships, family routines and practical strategies can help children develop resilience and manage life’s everyday challenges. Why this matters for parents today From friendship worries to...
Children who experience ongoing stress and adversity across their early years are far more vulnerable to self-harm and suicidal thoughts as teenagers, new Australian research shows. Experts say the findings highlight the importance of early, family-centred support — not blame. When adversity adds up A major Australian study...
