It Takes A Village

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...

How to help children to be more assertive and self confident, without being demanding and aggressive. Clinical psychologist and mum of 3, Jacqui Maguire says assertiveness is a life skill, not a personality trait. She says children can learn it with practice, encouragement, and role models. But often parents don't really have a handle on this skill either and assertiveness takes practice for every...

Cooking and baking with children is a great idea - even if its makes a helluva mess, according to early childhood education research specialist Dr Vicki Hargraves. She's an early childhood teacher and mother, and ECE research specialist at The Education Hub, an organization that supports teachers with knowledge about best practice. She says spending time in the kitchen with your children is a grea...

What are the pros and cons of handing out awards to children? From player of the day in sport, to winner of the spelling bee, to Dux of the school. Dr Elise Waghorn is a Lecturer at R-M-I-T University's School of Education in Melbourne. She says while awards can reward effort, they can also be unhelpful and lead to a fixed mind set in children. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Babies born during Covid-19 lockdowns developed and moved through early milestones under challenging and unique circumstances. Whānau Āwhina Plunket Chief Nurse Zoe Tipa talks about what families can do to help their 4 and 5 year olds as they start or prepare to start school. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In parenting today, how to raise resilient children who don't wilt at the first hurdle they face. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Neuroscience educator and parenting coach Nathan Wallis discusses finding the balance with boundaries for children and teens while maintaining an open trusting relationship. He says boundaries give children an edge to their world, and teach them what's acceptable. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sadness, nerves, jealousy, anger and frustration - just like adults, children feel these emotions, but sometimes don't have the words or skills to deal with them. Gen Muir is a social worker, parent educator, author, founder of Connected Parenting and mum of four boys. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parenting can be a challenge at the best of times - but what about when mum or dad are experiencing low mood ? - Clinical Psychologist Ben Sedley with strategies to help Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with poorer mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood, according to a global study of more than 100,000 young people. The study was published earlier this week in the peer-reviewed Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, and found that 18- to 24-year-olds who had received their first smartphone at age 12 or younger were more likely to repor...

At 37, many people are still getting to grips with being a parent. Matty Acton was learning how to be a grandparent. He and his wife Esther have two kids, aged 8 and 11, and he's also stepdad to Esther's 23 year old son Ethan - who became a dad himself last year. Esther and Matty, who's also a breakfast radio host on Brisbane's B105 radio station, have been documenting their journey on their podca...

Sara Segar discusses how parents help turn experiences into learning for their children. She runs the Experiential Learning Depot in Minnesota and developed a range of resources for teachers and families, when she realised there was a desire for hands-on, authentic learning at home and in the classroom, but no material to help. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The costs - and pain - associated with poor oral health care has become a huge burden on families and the health system, so how can parents get it right for their kids, and encourage good dental habits that last into their later years? Basic dental care is free in New Zealand for children from birth until they turn 18. But there are thousands of children currrently on waiting lists for dental trea...

It can be hard to avoid what's going on in the world right now, including for children. How can parents help their kids make sense of what's going on, without scaring them? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details