It Takes A Village

A Northland iwi is putting its own spin on the international Incredible Years parenting programme, localising it with input from kaumatua and kapa haka. A Northland iwi is putting its own spin on the international Incredible Years parenting programme, localising it with input from kaumatua and kapa haka. Parents or caregivers who sign up for the Kaitaia-based programme can expect to understand the...

New research on the prevalence of bullying, and tips not just to help parents prevent it but to help them cope with it . Dr Cara Swit, from the University of Canterbury's School of Health Sciences, is one of a few researchers in New Zealand focusing on how we can react if a child is a bully, or is being bullied. Dr Swit is spending time with parents and teachers as part of a new three-year longitu...

We shouldn't fear a bit of messiness in our interactions with people we care about, says psychologist Dr Ed Tronick. He recently co-authored the book The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs of Relationships Are the Secret to Building Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust with paediatrician Dr Claudia Gold. We shouldn't fear a bit of messiness in our interactions with people we care about, says...

Registered dietician, Professor Clare Wall talks to Kathryn about the importance of kai for babies and toddlers, simply put, choosing a chicken dinner over chicken nuggets. Professor Wall leads the nutrition and dietetic department at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. She's been involved in the Growing up in New Zealand longitudinal study which has followed child...

As Aucklanders spend their first full day back in alert level 3, and the rest of the country in level 2 anxiety levels among many will be on the rise. Sparklers is an online wellbeing resource for teachers, which was created by the All Right? Campaign following the Canterbury earthquakes to support children. When Covid struck in March, Sparklers at Home was launched for parents and children. Anna...

Psychologist Sarb Johal discusses how children are making sense of the Covid-19 pandemic and how parents are helping them, when they themselves may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New research from the University of Otago shows that early bedtimes for pre-schoolers are not vital for healthy development, as long as they are getting enough sleep. New research from the University of Otago shows that early bedtimes for pre-schoolers are not vital for healthy development, as long as they are getting enough sleep. A number of studies in older children have found a correlation bet...

Brain researcher, parenting coach and founder of X-Factor Education, Nathan Wallis, explains how the brain develops from newborn to adult. Why do male and female brains grow differently, what hinders and promotes brain growth, and what are warning signs for parents if a child isn't developing normally? Even before birth, babies are busily data-gathering, says brain researcher, parenting coach and...

How do you figure out what sort of career to work towards? How do you know what to study to get there? And what if you choose a course or job you don't like? Self-knowledge is the best prerequisite for figuring out a career path, says professional advisor Caroline Sandford. How do you figure out what sort of career to work towards? How do you know what to study to get there? And what if you choose...

Sleeping better in pregnancy - a guide to sleep health for NZ Women is the latest research from Massey University's internationally renowned Sleep/Wake Research Centre. It's a trimester-by-trimester guide to managing expectations about sleep, and a tool kit for getting a good night's rest. Sleep/Wake Associate Professor Leigh Signal and PhD student Clare Ladyman, who came up with the idea for the...

When a child is telling you about something that's bothering them, don't rush in with advice, says parenting consultant Joseph Driessen. It's a skill that can take some practise, but 'reflective listening' - in which you reflect back to your child what they're saying - is a better approach, he tells Lynn Freeman. When a child is telling you about something that's bothering them, don't ru...

For parents of picky eaters, mealtimes can turn the kitchen table into more of a battleground. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

How can parents find the delicate balance between helping a child with their homework, and overhelping - or even doing it for them! Kathryn speaks with Monash University education lecturer Melissa Barnes, who has analysed more than 400 research studies on the topic. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright joins Lynn to talk about question development in pre-schoolers as they try to understand the world around them. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mohamed Alansari with what parents can expect for their childrens' learning in modern classroom layouts. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Yvonne Godrey is a family coach and the Founder and Director of MIOMO (making it on my own) transitioning teens to adults. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rachel Rohloff is on a mission to grow a love of science among primary school children. She's a teacher, entrepreneur and now author. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Psychologist Sarb Johal discusses anxiety that may persist as we go down the Covid alert levels. He says this may show itself in parents and children, and has tips for how to transition. A psychologist says as we emerge out of lockdown a higher proportion of people may experience anxiety - but that we can learn to live with life's new uncertainties. At the core of returning to a more social l...

Australian child psychologist Dr Sarah Hughes has advice on raising calm, confident, well-adjusted and resilient children, as presented in her new book Parenting Made Simple. Sarah shares tips with Kathryn to help parents and caregivers with everything from kids' challenging behaviour, emotional outbursts, friendship problems, issues with confidence and anxiety, and adjusting to parents' separatio...

Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright shares ideas to help develop preschoolers ability to understand and ask questions. Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright shares ideas to help develop preschoolers ability to understand and ask questions. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Best-selling Australian children's author and illustrator Matt Stanton shares tips for busting lock-down boredom blues with Kathryn Ryan. Matt is co-creator of the hit picture books 'There Is a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts' and 'This Is a Ball'. He's also the creative brain behind the 'Funny Kid' junior fiction series, the latest of which is Funny Kid Peeking Duck due to be published very soon....

Parenting coach and educator Joseph Driessen shares five tips for running a harmonious household under lockdown. He says the key is getting the family to work as a team, and for parents, that might mean listening more and speaking less. Parenting coach and educator Joseph Driessen shares his tips for running a harmonious household under lockdown. He says the key is getting the family to work as a...

Parenting coach, author, and mum-of-two Sharlene Poole has tips for parenting toddlers during the lockdown. Her new book, Toddler Whispering, covers everything from sleeping, eating, and toilet training, to screen time and adjusting to a new baby brother or sister. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Families around the country are trying to figure out how to cope in the next month. How will teenagers and young people - whose friends and social contacts are so important - manage in isolation? How should parents of young people communicate the new rules and get buy-in? Nathan Wallis - brain researcher, parenting coach and founder of X-Factor Education. Families around the country are trying to...

Parenting expert Karen Boyes joins Kathryn to share some tips to help parents cope with having their kids home for the next four weeks. Her top one? You are not expected to be the Teacher. You are the Parent. Parenting expert Karen Boyes joins Kathryn to share some tips to help parents cope with having their kids home for the next four weeks. Her top one? You are not expected to be the Teacher. Yo...