What can parents do? Jacquelyn Harverson, Louise Paatsch and Sharon Horwood look at the links between digital technology use and young children’s well-being. Once upon a time, children fought for control of the remote to the sole family television. Now, the choice of screen-based content available to kids...
Researchers Adam Guastella, Kelsie Boulton and Natalie Silove find it can also help them thrive after an ADHD or autism diagnosis. When parents are concerned about their child’s development, they often seek an assessment to address concerns and identify any conditions, such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity...
The Federal Government has announced a major funding boost for children with speech disorders—but there's a glaring omission that has parents and experts deeply concerned. Funding Boost Leaves Out One in 14 Kids While children with conditions like stutters, cleft lip/palate and speech sound disorders will soon...
Babies as young as 4 months can tell how the sounds of different languages are made, reports Eylem Altuntas Babies are like little detectives, constantly piecing together clues about the world around them. If you’ve ever noticed your baby staring at you while you talk, it’s...
Emma Viskic swears off swearing when her daughter starts using some colourful language. I have a confession to make: I was a bad mother. Or, at least, a foul-mouthed mother. I tried, I really did, and most of the time my language would have delighted the...
What do you do when your child is being bullied—and the school insists everything is fine? Anthea Rowan shares her harrowing journey through denial, doubt, and finally, decisive action to protect her son. The First Signs: “Some of the boys hit me” It began when Jack* was...
Victoria Minson asks What are the national standards? Recently, we heard claims of shocking abuse and neglect in Australian childcare centres on ABC’s Four Corners program. While 91% of services met or exceeded the national standards as of February 2025, there have also been reports of centres...
It’s so stressful hearing my children constantly fighting with each other. How do I cope and get them to stop? Nigel Latta has some suggestion Take a firm and non-negotiable line. I don’t favour the UN approach of endless negotiations and hollow pleas; I think tactical...
Why do women get ‘reassurance scans’ ? asks Christopher Rudge. And how can you spot a dodgy provider? Recent media coverage in the Nine newspapers highlights a surge in non-medical ultrasound providers offering “reassurance ultrasounds” to expectant parents. The service has resulted in serious harms, such as...
Cathy Watson swore that she would never deflect her children’s questions, but lately they have become increasingly complicated. I think I am a victim of deflective parenting. As a child, I found it hard to understand why, at times, my mother sometimes looked tired and absent...
