Tag Archives: ChildDevelopment

🟢 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆?

To your child, it’s just jumping, laughing and asking for “five more minutes.” But underneath every bounce, their 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 — adjusting balance, coordinating movement, sensing where their body is in space and learning how to control each landing.

From 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 to 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆, movement confidence and daily activity, there is more happening on that trampoline than many parents realise.

But there’s another side to the story too: 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀, and knowing what the research says about safe use matters just as much as understanding the developmental benefits.

So, is a trampoline a worthwhile addition to the backyard? And what does the Australian evidence actually tell us?

👉 𝗪𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄.

“Why can’t my child just sit still?”

“Why do I have to ask them five times to do something?”

“Are they simply being a kid… or could it be ADHD?” 💛

If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you’re certainly not alone.

Children can be energetic, distracted, impulsive, emotional and easily bored, and many of these behaviours are a completely normal part of childhood development.

But sometimes, the challenges are more persistent. They can begin to affect learning, friendships, home life and a child’s confidence, and that’s when parents may start wondering whether ADHD could be part of the picture.

With ADHD Awareness Month coming up in October, General and Developmental Paediatrician Dr Lexi Frydenberg answers one of the questions she hears from parents again and again:

“Does my child have ADHD?

From the early signs and different presentations of ADHD to how children are assessed, what causes ADHD and the practical ways parents and schools can provide support, Dr Lexi explains what parents need to know.

And perhaps most importantly, ADHD is not the result of bad parenting or something you did wrong.

Understanding your child can be the first step towards helping them feel supported, confident and capable.❤️

👉 Read the full article to learn when childhood behaviour may be more than just a phase — and what parents can do to help.

🍕 What if teaching your child to cook was about so much more than making dinner?

There may be flour on the bench, sauce on little fingers and a heated debate over who gets the last piece of cheese — but underneath the mess, your child is learning skills they will carry with them for life.

Cooking teaches children how to make choices, follow instructions, solve problems, measure, plan, understand food, manage money, reduce waste, stay safe in the kitchen and gradually become more independent.

It can also help children become more familiar with different foods, give them a sense of agency and achievement, and create those everyday moments of connection where conversations happen naturally.

And you don’t need to start with complicated recipes.

A homemade pizza can be enough.

Let them choose the toppings. Let them get messy. Let them make mistakes. Let them create something that is theirs.

Because the goal isn’t to raise a little chef.

It’s to raise a child who knows how to feed themselves, make informed choices, contribute to family life and confidently find their way around a kitchen.

🍕❤️ The dinner might only last 20 minutes. The skills, confidence and memories can last a lifetime.

Read the article to discover why cooking with your children could be one of the most valuable everyday lessons you give them.

💙 Father’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a chance to pause and reflect on the irreplaceable role fathers and father figures play in their children’s lives.

🧠 Science shows that dad time is brain food, heart medicine, and confidence fuel. From rough-and-tumble play to heart-to-heart chats, fathers and father figures wire resilience, empathy, and courage into their children’s story.

💜 Celebrate the magic of Daddy-Daughter and Daddy-Son moments this Father’s Day. Every laugh, every chat, every hug is a gift that lasts a lifetime.

Read more about why father-child connections matter and how to make this Father’s Day unforgettable

When did you last remind your child that they don’t have to be anyone other than themselves? ❤️

Helping children trust their feelings, express themselves openly and stay true to who they are can give them something incredibly powerful: confidence, resilience and a strong sense of self.

From validating their emotions to encouraging self-reflection and modelling authenticity at home, there are simple ways we can help our children feel safe to be exactly who they are.

🌱 Discover how to nurture self-trust and authenticity in your child — and help them grow with confidence, courage and inner strength.

💛 Parenting isn’t one-size-fits-all! From “tough love” to gentle guidance, Australian families are discovering how different approaches shape resilient, confident, and emotionally intelligent kids. 🌏 Explore the diverse parenting styles influencing childhood today, and learn practical tips to balance empathy with boundaries. Every small change creates stronger bonds, happier kids, and calmer families. ✨

Read more here 👉

Does your child snore? 👀💙

That little snore might sound cute… but could it be telling you something more?

Many parents have captured those adorable moments of their child snoring peacefully — but regular snoring is something worth paying attention to.

Learn why childhood snoring happens, when it may signal sleep apnoea, the warning signs to watch for, and when to seek medical advice.

A child’s sleep is the foundation for their growth, brain development, emotional wellbeing, behaviour and learning. When breathing is disrupted during sleep, it can affect much more than just a good night’s rest.

Our latest article explores the causes of childhood snoring, the signs parents shouldn’t ignore, why sleep quality matters, and the steps you can take to support your child’s health and wellbeing.

Because every child deserves the chance to breathe easily, sleep deeply and wake ready to learn, grow and thrive. ❤️

👉 Read the full guide: Childhood Snoring: What Every Parent Needs To Know

“Why can’t my kids just get along?”
If you’ve ever found yourself asking this after yet another sibling argument, you’re not alone. ❤️

From the constant bickering over the smallest things to moments of incredible love and connection, sibling relationships can be one of the most challenging—and rewarding—parts of family life.

But what if the fighting isn’t a sign that something is wrong?

Behind the disagreements are important developmental lessons. Siblings are learning how to manage emotions, negotiate, communicate, understand different perspectives and repair relationships after conflict.

In this evidence-based guide, we explore the science behind sibling rivalry, why children clash at different stages of development, how to support children with different needs, and practical strategies to help your children build stronger, more respectful relationships.

Because the goal isn’t to raise siblings who never argue.

The goal is to raise children who know how to reconnect, show empathy and find their way back to each other. 💛

Read more: How to Better Manage Sibling Relationships

A new baby brings a heart full of love, excitement and unforgettable moments… but for your firstborn, it can also bring feelings they don’t yet know how to express. ❤️

For the first time, they are learning that the person who has always been their safe place, their comfort, their whole world, now has someone new to share that love and attention with.

While parents spend so much time preparing for nappies, feeding, sleep routines and everything a newborn needs, it’s just as important to prepare the little person stepping into their new role as a big brother or sister.

Because behind the excitement of becoming a sibling, there can also be uncertainty, worry and big emotions. Clinginess, tantrums, changes in behaviour or wanting extra reassurance are often their way of saying, “Do I still matter? Am I still loved?”

So how can we help our firstborn feel secure, included and confident as their family grows?

Written by Paediatrician Dr Sarah Arachchi, this heartfelt guide shares practical, gentle strategies to help your child prepare for a new sibling, navigate the transition and build the foundations for a loving lifelong sibling bond.

From pregnancy preparation to the first meeting, adjusting to change and supporting your child’s emotional needs, discover how small moments of connection can make a big difference during this life-changing transition. 👶💛

If you’re expecting another baby, or your family is adjusting to life with a newborn, this is the guide every parent needs to read. ❤️

👉 Read the full article and learn how to support your child through one of the biggest emotional changes of their early years.

Your Child Doesn’t Need Another Toy… They Might Need This Instead. ❤️

Because sometimes the moments children remember most aren’t the ones wrapped in paper — they’re the ones filled with curiosity, connection, creativity and discovery.

Hidden in almost every community is a free experience that could become your child’s favourite memory.

A place where little minds can wander, imaginations can grow and families can reconnect.

The place where screen-free fun still exists. 📚✨

It’s not a new app.
It’s not another subscription.
It’s not another toy taking up space in the playroom.

It’s your local library — and it’s so much more than books.

This is the childhood tradition more families should bring back.

From Lego clubs and craft sessions to storytelling, STEM activities, digital resources and friendships waiting to be discovered, libraries are quietly becoming one of the most valuable family resources in our communities.

This free family activity is helping children learn without them even realising.

They’re building language skills, creativity, confidence, problem-solving abilities and connections — all while simply having fun.

Could this be the forgotten outing that could change how your child learns?

Rediscover the place where imagination lives, curiosity grows and childhood memories are made.

❤️ Read why your local library deserves a place on your family’s adventure list.