Vaccination is our best defence, write researchers Phoebe Williams, Archana Koirala, Katie Louise Flanagan and Margie Danchin So far in 2024 there have been more than 17,000 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) across Australia. This is well above our usual national average. It’s already six times...
Kids, courts, canines: can justice facility dogs like Winston help children and the broader court system? Suzanne Rock and Natalie Gately think they can. The recent focus on youth crime in Australia may create a perception that all children in court have offended. But of course,...
We reviewed 100 studies about little kids and screens, reports Sumudu Mallawaarachchi and Dylan Cliff Here are 4 ways to help your child use them well Screen time is one of the top worries for Australian parents. In a national February 2021 poll by the Royal Children’s...
We’ve all heard of thinking outside of the box, writes author Jess Horn. But what if you thought in boxes? Not literally, of course (although cats do make a good case for that)! But imagine your thoughts were organised in categories, and thinking about one category...
First, an autism diagnosis, then to a clinician’s office. Researchers Andrew Whitehouse, David Trembath and Sarah Pillar look at how the evidence supports a different approach now for families. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Bill Shorten, has proposed a number of policy changes to...
Researchers at Monash University have discovered that a high-fiber diet during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in children. Published in Circulation Research, the study highlights a strong connection between a mother’s diet and her child’s long-term heart health. "Fibre, found in foods...
You wake with a sore throat and realise you are sick, writes Natasha Yates, G.P. Is this going to be a two-day or a two-week illness? Should you go to a doctor or just go to bed? Most respiratory illnesses have very similar symptoms at the...
Sleep deprivation is no joke for new mums and dads, writes Dr Nick Fuller It can also be challenging for those with older children or teens. Just when you manage to get on top of all the sleep issues caused during pregnancy, new problems can arise,...
How can you help if your child is struggling? Stuart Evans and Kane Middleton have some suggestions Apart from literacy and numeracy, throwing and catching are some of the most important skills children learn in primary school. These are considered “fundamental movement skills” because they underpin...
Why not try organising a sports day for the kids? And you never know. Some of the more unusual sports just might kindle your child's dream of being an Olympian! This year's Olympics in Paris will showcase 32 different sports, including skateboarding, weightlifting, equestrian, surfing, and—making...
