It Takes A Village

In New Zealand, there is no age-verification system to prevent of young people viewing online pornography. Often, this content can be graphic, sometimes violent - including coercive or non-consensual behaviour. Therapist, educator and researcher Jo Robertson has called for better safeguards. She joins Kathryn to discuss what other countries are doing - and how parents and caregivers can navigate t...

Repeating mental pathways, giving time to emotions and being a good debater are all key parts of learning to think critically, says an expert in teaching the important skill. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

how do you know what information to trust, where to turn, and how to cut through the noise. Dr Natalie Flynn is a registered clinical psychologist, the author of Smart Mothering - where she dubbed this - "bombardment syndrome", and the co-founder of Parentland, alongside her late husband Nigel Latta. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Social media is brimming with advice about how to get make money in a hurry - and that can be very attractive to young people. So how best to get teens interested in their money - and how to manage it wisely? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright discusses the difficulty of asking children what they did at school that day and why often they'll simply say "nothing". Christian and Kathryn explore why this question is so hard for children to answer and how can parents turn it into a back-and-forth interaction, all while building a child's language and conversation skills Go to this episode on rnz...

As children get older and take more responsibility for their teeth, what can parents and caregivers do to ensure good habits through to adulthood? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Do you have to video call grandchildren living overseas? Or perhaps you email your grandparents who are abroad? In the modern world it's common for families to be split over countries and continents. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dr Niraj Lal is a Melbourne-based researcher and writer whose new book is aimed at getting kids thinking about how they use the internet, who they interact with and what data is being gathered about them. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Remember the days when children would roam free, playing with friends around the neighbourhood. How can parents encourage their offspring back to outdoor free play? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Elana Cohen is an occupational therapist who has two decades experience working with children of all ages and abilities - and their families. She's Nelson based - working for Health NZ's Child Development Service, as well as in private practice. Elana says parents and caregivers need lots of support to help neurodivergent children flourish. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Return-to-school nerves can be a normal reaction after the long summer break, but when should parents be concerned and what can they do about it? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Otago University's Dr Johanna Reidy researches the impact of school uniform design and policy on health and educational outcomes. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Summer holidays come with plenty of opportunities for children to utter 'I'm bored'. Parenting expert Zhenlin Wang on whether that's a bad thing. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

School's out - so what now for the kids? Let them run wild? Kristin Ward is a coach and presenter with Parenting Place. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Is competition, jealousy, and conflict between brothers and sisters a normal part of growing up? While bickering and nitpicking can be hard for parents, can sibling rivalry also be a way for children to learn life skills? Kathryn talks with Clinical Psychologist and mum of three, Jacqui Maguire. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Wwhen puberty hits and suddenly you don't recognise your own child. Clinical Psychologist Kathryn Berkett on brain development in adolescence. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As we barrel toward Christmas, you might be about to make the most of this month's crazy sales days. Perhaps a phone or a gaming device for a young family member makes your shopping list. But before you look to leave one wrapped under the tree - my parenting expert is along with some things to consider before handing out the technical toys. Anna McKessar is an online course producer with Parenting...

Some studies have shown not only is swimming great exercise and an essential safety and lifesaving skill, swimming can also positively impact a child cognitively, emotionally, and socially. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

How to coach children on understanding and making good friendships. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Love it or loathe it - it's that time of year when kids roam loose around neighbourhoods looking for fun and sweets. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New research has shown children are far more likely to participate in play and sport when a parent is doing it themselves. Research from Sport NZ finds more than half of young people say spending time with family and friends is their top reason for being active - and those kids who like being active with whanau are more likely to meet recommended guidelines for physical activity. Scott MacKenzie i...

Speech and Language Therapist Christian Wright talks to Kathryn about what typical language development in pre-schoolers looks like, when parents should be concerned, and what they can do to help. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Financial education will be embedded in the school curriculum for years 1 to 10 from next year. For younger children it'll be the basics like want vs need, and what is a bank account. More senior students will learn about budgeting, investment, interest, taxes, and insurance to help to build lifelong financial skills. Neil Edmond is the founder of MoneyTime, an online financial literacy program fo...

How many teenagers know what they want to do when they leave school? Jane Kennelly, the Director of People for Skills Group, says in this era of fast-moving technological change it's hard for anyone to know exactly where the job market's going to go - let alone kids. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Clinical psychologist Polly Schaverien talks with Kathryn about helping teenagers with anxiety and unhealthy perfectionism. She says adolescence is a time of exponential growth and development, and the "job" of the teen is to establish their identity, develop socially and learn emotional regulation. She says parents play a big role - and the first thing they need to do is check their own perfectio...