Most families know the 10-cent bottle and can refund as a handy way to clear out the recycling bin or give kids some pocket-money motivation. But a timely reminder about a new campaign, shows those small refunds can also become a powerful way to support...
On International Day of Play (June 11), early childhood experts say it may be time to rethink how families talk about technology, learning and screen time. For many parents, screens and play can feel like opposites. One is often seen as active, imaginative and social; the...
Homework Without the Hassle: You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect study nook or a spare room to help kids stay organised with homework. A few practical systems — even in busy family homes — can make schoolwork feel far less stressful for everyone. Homework can quickly become...
Many parents know the feeling: a movie is rated PG, but ten minutes in, the kids are hiding behind cushions. New Australian research suggests families want screen ratings that better flag scariness, self-harm, sexual violence and age suitability. New Australian research says parents want clearer screen...
With more creativity than you might think, report Annabel Blake, Eduardo Velloso and Marcus Carter In 2022, the founders of chatbot startup Character.AI launched a platform where anyone could create interactive characters powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The app exploded, quickly growing to more than 20 million...
We studied the bacteria on kids’ sports mouthguards. The amount can lead to bacterial buildup and potential health risks, report researchers Huseyin Sumer, Bita Zaferanloo and Vito Butardo Jr. Many young Australians are beginning their winter sports season, gearing up for sports such as football, hockey...
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...
