School Shorts

How to encourage risky play and why it matters. Gill Connell from Moving Smart explains the importance of allowing kids to step outside their comfort zones while maintaining a safe environment. Gill talks about how the language we use can either instil fear or encourage courage in children. They discuss the power of the 'wonder word' and the "zone of uncertainty," where children can explore and le...

Counting down the most popular activities on the Roam with Kids app with Renata Wiles. If you are looking for activities that appeal to the whole family, the most-viewed cafes and playgrounds for families and new ideas for the holidays then this episode has some tips for you. Renata aims to have these tips extend worldwide so stay tuned as Roam grows and she can update with more information from c...

This is a great episode if you are looking for ways to keep up some reading and writing practise at home while school is on break. Primary school teacher, mother and founder of the Sound Slam card game Anna O'Connor shares her ideas and games. Anna talk about phonemic awareness, what that is and its importance in how children learn to read and write. Melissa and Anna also discuss the impact of COV...

How well a child does at school is often linked to how they feel there. That can depend on so many factors. We know that academic achivement is one of them and the previous episode covers some of the best tips for maximising ability in reading and writing. This episode looks at all those other factors in mental and physical health. Melissa Chan-Green looks back at some of the advice that has been...

In this special episode of "School Shorts," I look back on a year of conversations with some of the most influential people in education across New Zealand, Australia, the U.S and U.K. This is a wrap of some of the key highlights of advice for helping children with reading and writing. It looks at educational reform, the opportunities and challenges that presents and the role of parents to support...

The fascinating world of AI in education with Michael Johnston who has authored a report titled Opportunities and Risks of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Michael shares some thoughts about how relying too much on tech, like calculators or Google Maps, can undercut foundational skills. We also chat about the social impacts of AI, especially on young people, and the importance of teaching criti...

How kids are being introduced to the world of financial literacy with the help of ASB's GetWise program. Joined by guests Hamish Russell and Lucinda Howarth, the discussion delves into the importance of teaching financial skills to young students. We talk about the Big Little GetWise show featuring Captain Cash-tastic, a superhero character designed to make financial education engaging and accessi...

Numicon is a maths teaching tool is a maths teaching tool that is used across the world and through thousands of schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Catherine Huxford of the Edushop team explains how it is a multi-sensory approach that helps children visualise and understand maths concepts. There are lots of tips here about how to introduce maths skills from a young age and how useful that can be for...

How technology impacts kid's dopamine, attention span and language development with Dr Emma Woodward. As a Mum to four boys, Dr Woodward finds each of them have different needs, just as each of them are wired differently. So while this episode looks at the impact of tech on child development and regulation, it is also full of realistic and reassuring advice for parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast....

Malindi Maclean shares stories and research that highlight the profound impact on brain development from connecting with nature, not just for kids, but for adults too. If you've done Outward Bound before you will find much to reminisce about here. If you haven't it will give you more information about whether it is something that could be right for your children - or you! Malindi also talks about...

What young women want you to know about the challenges they are facing and the social issues they are trying to address, such as the impact of social media. This episode features inspiring stories from three of the 10 young women recognised at the Girlboss Awards for their achievements in STEM, leadership, and community service. They have achieved so much even before they have finished high school...

Jenny Turner is an adhd coach with Human Fabric. Diagnosed later in life with adhd herself and mum to two children diagnosed with two different types of adhd. Jenny discusses her personal experience, why it is so important for the workplace to understand and get the best out of those with adhd - and how that is a journey of education that should begin from school. This episode covers the complexit...

If you want to know about how to have some of these conversations with your kids yourself, Jo gives some practical advice about what to say (and what NOT to say!) Relationships and Sex Education in school has been under revision and subject to feedback. In this episode, Jo Robertson from Tricky Chat Parenting talks about how the topic has evolved in schools, the role of parents in these discussion...

A deeply personal account of life with dyslexia and the journey of finding out as a child but also as an adult. Father and Son, Arvid and Mattias Eriksson share their thoughts on the power of dyslexic thinking. They discuss the early signs of dyslexia, the importance of support and tutoring, and how Matthias navigates school life with dyslexia. It also covers the emotional journey of families deal...

Does your child dread the school speech competition? or feel nervous about speaking in front of their peers? Drama teacher and Oral Language Coach, Ashleigh Gulliver, shares the tips for how to gradually increase their speaking confidence in the classroom and at home. The episode covers the critical role of oral language and drama education in literacy development. You'll learn strategies for buil...

In this episode for Dyslexia Awareness Month, we’re diving into the real experiences of parents and educators who are supporting children with dyslexia. You’ll hear from mums navigating the ups and downs at home, as well as teachers who see first-hand the challenges—and strengths—that come with dyslexia in the classroom. We explore what dyslexia really is (and isn’t), how to spot the signs early,...

An expert in the field of gifted students, Rhonda Filmer explains that some students are 2e. That means twice exceptional - those who are gifted and have a learning disorder. There are some common misunderstandings about these students which may impact their education. Rhonda explains how teachers and parents can better support students with these unique qualities, emphasising the importance of ta...

Does your family routine go completely out of the window when it comes to daylight savings? All of a sudden the kids are grumpy and harder to get to school. Never fear, Victoria Newport from Early Parenting is here. Victoria shares some of her tips around how to adjust timings to make the transition to changing the clock easier on everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

There are a range of different school types from state, state integrated and independent - but what do all of these things mean? Guy Pascoe from Independent Schools NZ talks about the range within the independent category and why some cater to specific learning needs. Guy Pascoe explains the misconception that independent schools are only private schools that the wealthy can afford. He discusses t...

Literacy expert Lorraine Hammond explains the difference between the skills of reading and spelling. If your child is able to read a word and/or sentence but has challenges with spelling, this will help to explain why. Also the way in which parents were taught at school has changed significantly from the way children are being taught now. The scientific research around how our brain actually retai...

If you have a child in an early learning centre, there is a chance they will be taking part in the ENRICH oral language programme created by Elaine Reese. This has received funding in the New Zealand 2025 Government budget to roll out across hundreds more early learning centres over 4 years. It looks at the importance of oral language development, especially in children aged one to three. There is...

Adele Diamond is one of the world-leading neuroscientists in the field of executive functions. Executive functions are often discussed in relation to ADHD and they are especially relevant in that study ..however, executive function is crucial for all of us in our ability to plan, organise and achieve goals. It impacts working memory or ability to regulate and manage our behaviour and it shapes our...

If you've ever wondered whether the month you were born in impacts your educational achievement, there is now evidence to say yes it can have an impact. Dr Jo Knox has been doing research around the world into the different policies for when children start school. This conversation explores the complexities of New Zealand's enrolment system in education. It explains why some children will have mor...

Gill Connell from Moving Smart returns with part 2 of the Power of PMP. This time we are talking about the often-overlooked topic of midline development in children. The ability to cross the midlines of the body is foundational for reading, writing, co-ordination and cognitive growth. Gill offers great advice for parents or teachers who want to practise this at school or at home. Hosted on Acast....

This episode was recorded in front a live audience at Spark NZ for the launch of the Spark Kids Plan. Melissa Chan-Green speaks with Leela Ashford about the first mobile plan for families and the Parent Hub which has been developed in conjunction with Child Psychologist Dr Emma Woodward. Sheridan Eketone of the Parenting Place shares lots of practical tips for how to manage device time and have co...