We’re surrounded by nature, most obviously plants and animals. They’re in our backyards, on our balconies, emerging in the cracks in the footpath. While people tend to think of nature as existing ‘out there’, in national parks or at least beyond the edges of the city,...
It’s hard for parents to help kids with homework without doing it for them, writes Joanne O'Mara It can be especially difficult to work out where to start when your child is preparing a speech for school. You might find your child is procrastinating more about getting...
COVID changed drop-off and pick ups – but parents can still have a strong relationship with their child’s educators, write researchers Katherine Bussey, Deborah Moore, Natalie Robertson and Shelli Giosis One of the most obvious changes COVID has made to early childhood education in Australia has...
Yes, says Kylie Soanes, you can make a difference, right in your own backyard The newly released State of the Environment report paints a predictably grim picture. Species are in decline, ecosystems are at breaking point, and threats abound. For many of us, it can feel...
The eminent annual awards continue to celebrate and honour quality Australian literature for young people and enjoyed a superb 6.8% growth trajectory, surpassing the successful 2021 awards. Entries across the six categories covered topics relevant to our complex world and the lived experience of our young...
You’re probably already encouraging STEM at home and don't realise it, writes Rebecca Kerr Children are naturally curious. They’re constantly engaging with their surroundings and observing the world around them. As a parent and role model, you may choose to lean into their exploration and encourage...
The fast pace of modern urban living can be mentally and physically draining. Add the strains of a pandemic, and these challenges can multiply. Imagine being a school student and having to focus on learning and studying during this time. Being an attentive student can be...
Researchers Emma Sciberras, Anna Jackson, Glenn Melvin and Louise Brown asked parents who said these 3 strategies (and tips) can help COVID lockdowns and home schooling seemed never-ending for a lot of families. But there were some silver linings. Our new research published in two papers looked...
As another elite boys’ school goes co-ed, are single-sex schools becoming an endangered species? asks Professor Amanda Keddie One of Australia’s most prestigious boys’ schools has just announced it will go co-ed. Last week, Sydney’s Cranbrook School – whose alumni include Kerry and James Packer and Atlassian...
Let’s turn to practicalities and get you started on your urban field naturalist journey. It can seem daunting, and you might not know where to begin, but these five simple steps will do the trick. Even when you’re an experienced urban field naturalist, it’s still always...
