Understanding how to get a 5-year-old to listen can be a challenging but rewarding aspect of parenting. At this developmental stage, children are honing their skills in listening,…
Potty training a non-verbal toddler can be a unique challenge, but with the right strategies and understanding, it can also be a rewarding journey. Non-verbal communication doesn’t mean…
As parents we have dreams for our children. We hope they will live happy lives with a sense of purpose. But how do we make sure children learn…
The importance of talking to young children, sharing memories with real intent, has never been more important. Researchers have found that quality memory sharing in early childhood creates…
Just click on the image below to download and print out the image. Select File > Print, or right-click (control-click on a Mac) > select print, or just…
Looking for ideas to keep the kids entertained and occupied? HP New Zealand has launched Print, Play and Learn, a free online resource to support families across New…
When it comes to education, especially the early years of your child’s education, quality is key; it’s what helps set the path for your child and develop their…
Traveling in the car can sometimes be a nightmare with children. The all too famous line of ‘are we there yet?’ playing over and over like a broken record……
We love heading away on summer holidays, and this year we’ve been blessed with my Husbands’ parents buying a classic 1950’s batch in Opunaki. If you haven’t heard…
Once your child reaches school age there’s a few things they can be doing for themselves. Preparing your child for school early on will help the transition from…
I love wall hangings so decided since Matariki is just around the corner I would create a star wall hanging with little miss 3. I love creating with…
Matariki is a great time of year to celebrate and learn more about Maori culture. One way we’re doing this in our family is through story books. My…
The Kiwi Families team got the opportunity to interview Mister Maker for his upcoming tour. Read on to find out what he’s looking forward to when he gets…
Before having children I had no idea about the plethora of products that I would end up finding useful and toddler milk falls into that category. While toddler…
Wal Herring is the author of Healthy Little Eaters, and she has a wealth of wisdom to share about kids and food. The Kiwi Families team had the…
One of our best friends’ daughters was turning six recently. I asked her what she wanted on her cake… and she said a unicorn. So this is what…
Whether or not it’s autumn where you live right now, it’s a great season to celebrate. I love the glowing light on a pleasant autumn evening. And of course…
Little is as exciting as seeing your child take their first steps. Simultaneously, little is as daunting, stressful or nerve-wracking as this new ability to walk – it…
Life Love Living Learning Without one there are none of the others. Our bodies, hearts and minds connect each of us to ourselves, others and the world through…
One of the major challenges within your blended family will be how to bond your stepchildren with your own children. We all have that ideal fantasy, The Brady…
Hi guys! We’re really excited that you’re coming to New Zealand. My kids love to sing and dance along to your songs.
I have been thinking about traditions, and family, and how to make the effort lately. It’s easier not to make the effort. You feel the desire not to…
Dreams help us to decide which actions to take next, which attitudes to shift, which people to spend time with. Dreams ebb, flow and transform over time and…
School lunches… I can hear you groaning from here. They are one of those chores that causes a lot of worry and stress.
There are so many things you can do with empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls, it’s just a case of choosing something, or working through them all!…
I am passionate about food and health but I don’t expect my kids to be. I know I wasn’t when I was a kid.
How does your family move together? Is family time also TV/couch time? Did you know that there is an epidemic in our society that is causing sickness and…
Kids content on our television is in a precarious position. We just have to look at the demise of John Campbell’s programme on TV3 to see how stories…
Getting the kids into bed doesn’t need to be a drama. Having the right tools can make it a battle free zone, here are some tips.
Chrysalis Early Learning Centre is a ground breaking, unique concept in early childcare education, designed and developed by owners – husband and wife team, Dr Darius and Nikeeta…
Babies and children can catch diseases at any time. Immunisation is your child’s best protection against many serious but preventable diseases like whooping cough. This disease is still…
Babies and children can catch diseases at any time. Immunisation is your child’s best protection against many serious but preventable diseases like whooping cough. This disease is still…
I’m often amazed at the way that kids pick up technology and my 2 year old already understands the principles of using an iPad or tablet. However, it…
Children’s Day – Te Rā O Te Tamariki – provides New Zealanders with an opportunity to give time to children. It is a fun day for activities that start…
Over the years, sections have got smaller and apartment living has increased, add this to a world that is increasingly focused on smart phones, tablets and television and…
Crafting is always more fun and meaningful when it is shared with the ones you love. Kids are natural tinkerers but here are a few tips and tricks…
Yay! Advent is my favourite season in the church calendar, and it’s here! I love to celebrate Advent and so I’ve put together 11 great ways to celebrate…
Technology is part of our lives and it is not going away. How much you want to let it into your life and for what purpose are questions…
In an age where we literally have an array of technological devices at our fingertips, there are a high number of articles, blogs and opinion pieces espousing the…
A reader contacted me with her son who was not a willing participant with potty training. I thought it might be useful to share our conversation for those…
Every year, more research comes out that enhances our understanding of children’s brain development, learning and attachments. There is no doubt that the first three years of a…
Kids at a loose end these holidays? Bored with being stuck indoors all winter? With an action packed line up of free entertainment, from Cup Cake Workshops to…
All human beings are born as natural scientists with the desire to make sense of their immediate environment. Research shows that young children learn and think in a…
Children and snacking is something that many parents worry about. Are my children snacking too much? Is it ok to snack between meals? What sort of food should…
Our story began in January 1972, when Glennie Oborn, a loving mum , opened her first early childhood centre in what was her family home in Auckland. Along…
Does jumping on a trampoline or playing in the sand pit help our children to read and write? Often when we think of teaching children reading and writing…
I still consider myself relatively new to “doing the mum thing”. Like most mums (and dads, I suspect), ever since our little Thomas arrived, I’ve been obsessed with…
It’s Allergy Awareness Week soon and we talk to a family where allergies are part of everyday life. Kiwi mum, Amanda, talks about living with allergies for 6 year old Amelia.
Making your own pizza with kids is easy! Too often we perceive making things by scratch to be difficult and end up spending way too much money to buy a…
Here’s 5 easy Easter activities to make with kids. Spending time together on a food, or craft, activity is an awesome way to make some memories during your time…
The colder months are a great time to get into arts and crafts with your preschooler. It’s not just fun, they’re learning too. Whether you love getting messy…
A friend reminded me the other day that: “A happy mum means a happy family”. I can hear you say “What has that got to do with creativity?”…
While not being at the beck and call of the hungry and demanding summer veggies plants, the cooler months are a great time to look at the garden…
In my experience as a Footsteps early childhood teacher, one of the most common worries parents share is about their child’s speech and language development. There can be…
Hooo weee! Can’t kids’ birthday parties be just a little bit crazy?? The food; the gifts; the decorations… it can all just get a bit out of hand.…
This year for Children’s Day, as well as recognising your own little cherub, why not spread the love to other children in your community? In the process you’ll…
Here are two lovely and simple Valentine’s crafts to brighten someone’s 14th of February. These little boxes hold a Hershey’s chocolate kiss… it’s quick to make them in…
Resilience is about our ability to cope with the ups and downs of life. Children need to learn to bounce back from disappointment. As they grow, they need…
It is a fact that around the time toilet training usually begins, children are starting to strive for more independence and beginning to test limits. This can make…
I don’t know about you I find Christmas tricky for my preschoolers. We have three children so there are already loads of toys around and I don’t just…
From Rudolf and Santa to Slinki Malinki and the proverbial Pukeko in a Punga Tree, there’s a Christmas-themed picture book for everyone. In most bookshops, though, Baby Jesus…
Children have fun learning and bonding, which develops a sense of confidence and security. As a kaiako (teacher) of children in home based childcare, I’ve learnt that having…
Combining games night with a family meal is one way to have a lot of fun. You can get dressed up, divide family members into who is responsible…
This time of year typically means rather changeable weather and often clear windy days where I live, so what better thing to make than a kite? And what…
Whether right or wrong, right from birth children are getting messages, both positive and negative, about what it means to be a boy or a girl. So can gender affect…
What better reason could there be to celebrate the wonderful dads in our families than Father’s Day? Dads come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes it’s someone…
My little boy loves getting out and exploring. It’s never a fast walk when you have a toddler setting the pace as there are so many things he…
As I am writing this, outside my window it is a beautiful crisp clear Wellington morning – the perfect day for an outdoor adventure with the family. If…
If Huck Finn could float down the Mississippi on a couple of logs lashed together to resemble a raft, then I reckon two adults and a preschooler can…
It’s probably fair to say that family is where most people lay down the foundations for all later interactions in their lives – one of those interactions being…
This post looks at how to make family fitness fun and why it’s a worthwhile investment. We all know that physical activity is good for our bodies, inside…
It’s winter again – cold, dark, and occasionally wet and/or snowing, depending which bit of New Zealand you live in. So how can you keep the family active…
A vegetable garden is a fabulous way for a family to work together to achieve something amazing. As luck would have it, the time is right to get…
Leaving children to figure it out themselves is slow, painful and often frustrating. Trying to get out the door with a small person insisting “I DO IT!” at…
Why is it that some children love to write and draw and for others it’s a struggle to get them to even pick up a pencil? Encouraging your…
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” I read this and I can relate. No,…
We often think of change as something scary; something to be avoided at all costs in some cases! Whether you are adjusting your child’s daily routine, testing a…
I was contacted recently by a parent who is concerned about how his 4 children access the internet. He told me that his kids are growing up and…
Children are constantly grappling with increasingly new amounts of information, environments, activities, expectations, people and so much more. Helping children to adapt to change, and to become more…
When a new baby comes into the home it can be a trying time for everyone – including siblings. Sometimes any uncertainty or uneasiness on the sibling’s part…
Pets are often a part of the family, and for children they can be their best and most unconditional friend. As a home-based early childhood teacher/kaiako for Footsteps…
On long, wet days – especially during the school holidays – getting together around the table can be a lot of fun and games provide a welcome pastime.…
Combining craft with making lasting, visual memories is a fantastic way to bond together with your children. If you’ve never tried scrapbooking before, it doesn’t have to be…
School holidays require a little bit of extra effort on the part of parents of school aged children. Generally speaking all extra activities are off for the school…
Kids love music! Whether you’ve got young children or older school children in your house, making music can be a great way to spend some time together. If…
Sometimes it can be pretty difficult getting everyone into an activity when they’re at different ages and/or stages of development. So today we look at spending some school…
When the weather forecast features some sun in the holidays, it’s a nice opportunity to get out and about with the kids. It’s also a great opportunity for…
It’s the weekend between two long weeks of school holidays. It might be time for dad to take the kids for a day (or part day) if mum…
Autumn is an awesome time to explore the garden with your kids! It’s a bit cooler and there’s lots happening. My 4 year old is currently obsessed with…
Awesome treasure hunts do not have to be difficult to organise or especially time consuming… but they can be if you want them to be!
Welcome to the school holidays! Whether you dread the thought of filling those long school-less days or you love the chance to hang with your crew, we’ve got…
Fussy eating in preschool age children is very common, and a source of great frustration to many parents and caregivers. Picky eating is a really common issue, and…
We parents can feel consumed by our role to care for our children, and feeding is a big part of that responsibility. Try these 9 ways to avoid picky…
Cupcakes: what better way to get all the kids involved in not only creating a masterpiece using their imaginations but also learning about baking, measuring, decorating and so…
Gluten is a protein and is found in foods made from wheat, barley and rye. It is what makes food such as pasta and bread elastic and chewy in texture. A…
Making meal times easy for kids shouldn’t be so hard! This easy meals for kids article is packed full of tips for introducing kids to new foods, without…
There are some alarming reports on childhood obesity and the long-term impact it’s going to have on our kids’ lifespan, health and the nation’s wallet. It’s easy to…
Ever wonder what to do for your child’s birthday party? Do you feel pressured to keep up with the latest party trend? Maybe your children expect bigger and…
Dear Diane, Help! We have been trying to potty train our daughter. We have put her in undies and have told her where to go wees etc and…
After the sad death of Margaret Mahy last year, the title of greatest living children’s author in New Zealand must go to Joy Cowley, author of literally hundreds…