by Dr. Paula Barrett     In the western world we are seeing alarming statistics showing that many families are now spending most of their free time indoors in front of screens.  Sadly, this has become a common form of relaxation for many children and their parents.  Screen relaxation activities are at the expense of time spent in nature, being involved in activities in natural environments and spending time with and conversing as a family.   ...read more »

by Tahlia Mandie, Direction Exploring     It is that time of year again when exam time is fast approaching. You remember like it was only yesterday that your child was starting school, dressed so proudly in their new school uniform. And now, the daunting new era of finishing school and embarking on the next chapter of life is all too close.  ...read more »

by the Editor     Can electronic games help children with their learning?  Two primary schools have put this theory to the test with some amazing results, but can gaming also be used effectively at home?  Or are these games just a waste of time, or even worse, detrimental to children’s development?  ...read more »

with Nelly Thomas     Most parents squirm at the idea of having ‘the talk’ with their children.  Many of us will entirely avoid this uncomfortable task, and justify it by telling ourselves that kids learn what they need during school classes.  Many of us will decide to do it but wouldn’t know how to approach it, or when.  ...read more »

by the Editor     The figures on the number of children who are sexually assaulted each year in Australia are staggering. Research consistently suggests that around 1 in 5 children will be sexually assaulted – irrespective of socio-economic background, religion, race etc. That’s massive. It’s been described by some as an epidemic, but one we don’t really talk about.   ...read more »

by Dr. Patricia Porter     All parents worry about their child falling behind in class, not being able to keep up with the other children, not getting good grades.  But many parents don’t know what they can do to help their child get back on track quickly and easily.  ...read more »

by the Editor     Experts urge children to get outdoors as new research uncovers a massive decline in outdoor play across the generation. Most Aussie kids don’t climb trees anymore, according to new research from Planet Ark. Once a symbol of an idyllic childhood, this nature-loving pastime is so significantly on the decline that only 19% of Australian children enjoy a clamber in their local tree.  ...read more »

by David Keefe, Coolmind     The first line of Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘If’, starts with a helpful message; ‘if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you” you’re off to a great start.  I must come clean … I don’t have teenagers at home, but I have enough of them in my life to keep me honest to that message.   ...read more »

by Dr. Peter West     Should boys be allowed to play with toy guns? When boys play with toy guns, parents understandably can become very anxious.  Most parents’ reaction is to stop gun play at once. Parents’ websites contain much anxious discussion, especially from mothers, who worry seeing their child playing with a gun.  ...read more »

by Helen Davidson, Kidzmix     School is not only about learning the 3 ‘R’s’ – reading, writing and arithmetic – it is also a new chapter in learning about that other ‘R’ – the 4th one -  ‘Relationships’; where the child steps outside the family into their largest community of new acquaintances to date, and without a family member  ...read more »