New research suggests it can also help mental health, reports Fotini Vasilopoulos, Pretend play is a significant and often magical part of childhood. Children have huge imaginations and use these to turn rocks into spaceships, tables into forts or pens into fairies. They might pretend to be...
Drowning in toys, books and “stuff”? Decluttering expert Peter Walsh shares practical, sanity-saving ways to reset your home — and raise more responsible, organised kids in the process. Start with what you want from your home “Do you own your kids’ stuff or does it own you?”...
Bluey certainly thinks so, writes Sarah Lawson. Most of us are used to thinking of “religion” in terms of a belief in God or gods. Perhaps the big hitters of world belief systems come to mind – Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism or, in Australia,...
What tests do roller coasters have to pass? David Eager, a risk expert explains As thousands of people packed into the Gold Coast’s Warner Bros Movie World theme park for the school holidays on Wednesday, one of Australia’s biggest roller coaster rides ground to a halt. A...
Brendon Hyndman and Vaughan Cruickshank look at why some schools have stopped running camps as costs rise. What can we do instead? School camps have long been a rite of passage for many Australian students in both primary and high school. Typically, camps begin in primary school...
New Australian research from the UNSW Institute for Cyber Security, has found many school-approved apps begin collecting children’s data within seconds — often without clear consent. Here’s what families and educators need to know, and what can change. The hidden cost of “trusted” school apps Parents and...
Looking for books that will keep kids coming back for more? Series fiction is a brilliant way to build reading confidence and momentum — once children connect with the characters, they’re hooked. From gentle adventures and animal tales to imaginative fantasy worlds, these newer series...
As school holidays end around Australia, many parents are looking for educational ways to keep their children entertained, write Chris Zomer and Niels Kerssens. If you own an Android device and have young children, you may find yourself browsing Google Play for educational and age-appropriate...
Ever wondered what your kids might spot if they looked a little closer — from giant spider crabs while snorkelling to tiny clues left by native bees? Citizen science turns everyday moments outdoors into real discoveries, and more than a million Australians are already taking...
They’re marketed as friendly, supportive and even comforting—but AI companion chatbots are raising major safety concerns for children. A new Australian report reveals worrying gaps in how these platforms protect young users. AI companions are already part of kids’ digital lives AI chatbots designed to act like...
