Here’s why they do it, writes Michael Nagel As someone who has spent most of his professional life studying how children develop, I’m often asked by parents (especially mums) why children (especially boys) are prone to pick up the nearest stick, pencil, soft toy or even...
Researchers Susan M. Sawyer and Nandi Vijayakumar look at what brain science tells us. The age at which a child can be arrested, charged and jailed in Australia is back in the spotlight. Last year, the Northern Territory became the first jurisdiction to raise the age of...
Childcare and Common Illnesses: What Parents Need to Know When your child starts attending childcare, it's common to encounter a range of illnesses. From respiratory infections to skin conditions, these illnesses spread quickly among children, who are often in close contact with one another. While it’s...
Revolutionising the Future of Playground Design Playgrounds have always been more than just play areas—they’re crucial for fun, exploration, and building connections between children and nature. Today, they also serve as a much-needed break from screen time. But with climate change raising temperatures globally, it’s becoming...
Olympians captivate us with their incredible performances, but their success isn't just about physical prowess—it's also about mental strength. Recent Olympics have shown that mindset is key to thriving under pressure, and the good news for parents is that the same traits that help athletes succeed...
Karen Eriksen was not prepared for the train of events set in motion by her son’s school report. It was Year 2 school report time. Our son had never been an easy child, but we were relaxed. We’d had frequent positive updates from his teacher and...
For good health, write Vaughan Cruickshank, Brendon Hyndman, Matt Sharman and Tom Hartley. You should try to eat at least two serves of fruit every day. Eating oranges at half-time has been a popular and long-standing tradition at junior sports in countries such as Australia, the...
The eight winners of the 2024 HESTA Excellence Awards were announced in Melbourne on August 30th. Selected from a record-breaking 400 nominations. These awards celebrate outstanding teams and individuals across Australia working in the Disability, Allied Health, Aged Care, and Community Services sectors. Among the winners are...
A new app is helping us find out, write Kate Anderson, Taleah Carson and Tasha Cole Australian children are among the healthiest in the world. However, First Nations children continue to be left behind. To break the cycle of disadvantage, we need to foster First Nations children’s well-being...
The federal government has only ‘noted’ a call to end special schools, reports Linda J. Graham. What does this mean for students with a disability? We have just received the long-awaited response from the Australian government to the disability royal commission’s final report. One of the most...
