Foraging with kids: why wild food is best left untasted

Foraging can be fun for families, but wild mushrooms and plants may be poisonous or contaminated. Here is what parents need to know....

01 August, 2026

What parents should know about children’s eye health and reading difficulties

When a child is struggling to read or keep up at school, it is natural for parents to look for possible causes, writes Dr Maree Flaherty. You may wonder whether their eyesight, eye movements or ability to “track” words across a page could be contributing....

30 July, 2026

How humour helped my son settle into school

When her son feels lost during his first days of school, Gail Fernandes discovers how reassurance, patience and a shared joke can help him settle in....

30 July, 2026

The best new Australian nature books for children in 2026.

From koalas and crocodiles to rivers, coastlines and curious wombat poo, the Wilderness Society’s 2026 children’s book shortlist offers families plenty of inspiring ways to explore nature, Country and culture through reading....

30 July, 2026

New school game helps students understand severe allergies

 A free classroom mystery game teaches Year 6 and 7 students how to recognise allergic reactions, reduce food allergy risks and support classmates....

28 July, 2026

Should we assume all students see pictures in their minds as they learn?

When students can create a clear mental picture, that image may help them understand, organise and remember new information. This is all helpful for their learning....

23 July, 2026

Why have Australian unis dropped again in global rankings?

Here’s why we can’t just shrug it off, writes Kylie Message More than half of Australia’s universities dropped in global rankings recently. Individual results always bounce around. But this drop, via the Centre for World University Rankings, suggests the decline of Australia’s standing in many global rankings...

23 July, 2026

How should schools manage poor student behaviour?

When a prestigious school disciplined students with isolation and overnight tents, it sparked outrage and a bigger question. With suspensions climbing across the country, how should schools handle poor behaviour? We look at what the science says about getting teens back on track....

23 July, 2026

Why handwriting still matters for growing brains

Handwriting is more than neat letters. Experts say writing by hand helps children build brain connections for learning, memory and literacy....

23 July, 2026

More NSW students are going to private schools – where are they coming from?

The greatest growth in independent school attendance was in inner regional areas, for example, Camden, Wagga Wagga, and Lismore. In these locations, attendance at independent schools increased by 7% since 2008. Attendance at government schools dropped by 9%....

19 July, 2026