Joseph Kelly’s cunning plan to outsource the breaking of his daughter’s television habit backfires. It’s amazing how quickly rituals develop with kids. With my eldest daughter, Maisie, we have the breakfast ritual (Mum gives cuddles, Dad makes food), the bath-time ritual (Maisie and baby Frances sit...
YouTube hosts a lot of garbage – but the government is right to let kids keep watching it, report Catherine Page Jeffery and Joanne Gray When the Australian government passed legislation in November last year banning young people under 16 from social media, it included exemptions...
BMX bike riding goes beyond physical fitness, enhancing mental health, social connectedness and personal growth, writes Dave Camilleri BMX riding (short for bicycle motorcross) is more than just a sport. I first started riding BMX in 1995. What was meant to be a mode of transportation...
Board games are valued for their interaction, components, challenge and variety – and they don’t have to be about winning or losing, report researchers Ben Deery, Matthew Harrison and Jess Rowlings Are you tempted to just let your kids win on board game night? Don’t be....
School holidays and school ovals and playgrounds have been sitting unused. Why aren’t more available to the community? Asks Paul Kidson Schools are full of extremely useful and valuable facilities. These include playing fields, play equipment, sandpits, netball courts, concert halls, libraries and even pools. But these...
Jennifer Aberhart recalls what homework meant when she was a child and wonders what today’s version is really teaching children. The Evolution of Homework Most grandparents would agree that the concept of homework has undergone a complete transformation. Naturally, parenting styles and socioeconomic factors influence child-rearing, but...
Daryl Higgins and Gabrielle Hunt report on why sleepovers can be a fun part of childhood, and can foster independence, friendship, and resilience. Feeling unsure about your child going to a sleepover is completely normal. You might be worried about how well you know the host family,...
Xbox and Minecraft’s Initiative: Sharing “Top 5 Tips for Safe Gaming” to support families in Australia and New Zealand. Safer Internet Day & Online Gaming Safety High Gaming Engagement: Australia: 89% of children (8-17) play online; 40% interact with strangers. New Zealand: 80% of children (8-17)...
Kate Atherton’s motherly resolve is somewhat weakened by sequins – until she sees the sparkle in her daughter’s eyes. There were certain roles I clearly understood would be part of becoming a mother – nurse, cook, cleaner and so on…But ‘sequin sewer’ was certainly never mentioned...
Watch shows together, talk about them and have dance parties, writes Jennifer Stokes As January lingers, families may find themselves struggling with what a friend of mine has labelled the “electronic nanny”. Children have been out of their normal routines for weeks during the holidays. Some have...
