How can parents safely introduce their children to 'bad' news?

Elise Waghorn asks do we stop to consider what distressing media is doing to our kids? While much attention has been drawn to the detrimental impact of violent video games on children’s developing brains, there has been relatively little discussion regarding the negative effects of news and current affairs programs children are exposed to. When people consume news...

EDITOR’S PICKS

How to Find Time to Read as a Family on Busy Weeknights
Setting aside time to read during the week can be challenging. Fortunately, you only need 20 to 30 minutes of reading a day to boost your child’s literacy—and it’s up to you how you want to structure it! Here are six expert-backed ways to read...
Editor
18 April, 2024
5 things grieving children want to know about the death of a loved one
‘Why did he Leave Me?’ is one, reports researcher Lauren Breen, Death and grief are not easy to talk about. Talking to children about these can be harder still. Our instinct to protect children from harsh realities means we might avoid these topics altogether. But,...
Editor
15 April, 2024
5 ways to get the most out of watching Bluey with your kids
A bumper Bluey episode is about to hit screens, writes Divna Haslam. This special episode of the hit kids show will premiere on April 14. The episode will run for 28 minutes, which is four times the usual length of a Bluey episode. My kids...
Editor
11 April, 2024
Easter Books for the small children you love
Looking for some Easter-themed books for the younger kids? Here is a selection of new and some older ones to look for. Bluey: Hooray, It’s Easter! Published by Penguin Random House. Board book. This is a lift-the-flap board book based on the hit ABC KIDS TV...
Editor
21 March, 2024
5 questions your child’s school should be able to answer about bullying
5 questions your child’s school should be able to answer about bullying, write researchers Nina Van Dyke and Fiona MacDonald As children returned to classrooms in 2024, school communities confronted bullying in person and via technology. In-person bullying and cyberbullying affect significant numbers of children and...
Editor
14 March, 2024
Why do parents talk about “Screen use” and “not enough exercise”?
3 ways screens can get kids moving Researchers Juliana Zabatiero, Kate Highfield, Leon Straker and Susan Edwards look at how screens can help children be physically active. There have been concerns about screens making kids more sedentary and less active since TV was introduced more than...
Editor
07 March, 2024

Celebrating Mothers

Stronger regulation of the marketing of infant formula called for
News for New Parents: Australian Government Calls for Stronger Regulation of Infant Formula Marketing The government released a report about how infant formula is marketed here, and it’s a big deal for families with babies and toddlers. You might not have heard of it, but...
Editor
22 April, 2024
Living with a Hyphen: liberation or complication?
Tamara Heath wonders if liberation equals hyphenation – or is it just more complication? For want of a better solution, my daughters have a hyphenated surname. And I am the first to admit the ‘double banger’ name can be more than a little annoying. It...
Editor
04 April, 2024
Australian Breastfeeding Association celebrates 60 years
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is poised to mark a significant milestone in 2024. It is celebrating 60 years of dedicated support for breastfeeding mothers and families across the nation. Ms Marshall-Cerins, the Executive Officer of ABA, emphasized the importance of reflecting on the evolving...
Editor
16 March, 2024
Why women want to see the same health provider during pregnancy, birth and beyond
Hazel Keedle and Hannah Dahlen look at which model women would prefer? In theory, pregnant women in Australia can choose the type of health provider they see during pregnancy, labour and after they give birth. But this is often dependent on where you live and how...
Editor
12 March, 2024