“They are not airplanes!!,” my six year old yelled. Followed by, “They are not pteradactyls.” And a fit of giggles. He knows he’s funny. Isaac is happily wiggling…
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…
As parents we have dreams for our children. We hope they will live happy lives with a sense of purpose. But how to we make sure children learn all…
As a parent, sometimes it’s hard to know how to choose safe children’s products and you’ll want to make sure the children’s products you buy and use are…
There are several reasons why New Zealanders have a higher risk for developing skin cancers – including a high proportion of the population with fair skin, our low ozone…
This craft activity is one to get the children involved with. Ask young children to draw something to do with Christmas: Santa, baby Jesus, an angel etc. Older…
These little guys will be looking cute with grass for hair in a short couple of weeks. What a fun project – and it will be just as…
Outdoor activities are a great way to keep the kids entertained and to help them to burn off energy. This is especially important during the school holidays when…
This craft is an oldie but a goodie, I used to love making these as a kid and have to admit I rather enjoyed making this guy. Added…
After seeing my son’s toes forming callouses in his brand new leather shoes, I was forced to conclude that buying children’s shoes is not as simple as selecting…
Occasionally figures are published regarding how much it costs to raise children. The costs are often eye-watering! One of the major costs for kids is clothes. But clothing…
I’m sure that many of you will remember having hours of fun with paper dolls when you were children. Here are some great printables that you can use…
Outdoor clothing is essential in New Zealand’s colder months. Good outdoor clothing will not only keep your little ones warm, but will also save your sanity! Your children…
One of the things that makes Aotearoa/New Zealand special is the Māori culture and language. Although it is only spoken in New Zealand, the Māori language (Te Reo) is…
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…
All children love to draw and colour and we’re so excited to bring you some gorgeous colouring in pictures and activities to do with your little people. We…
Hi everyone, Cecilia Robinson here with a few more tips on easing the transition back to school. I hope you have all had a fantastic summer break. Funny…
Parents are often concerned about whether their young child is developing within a normal range. All children develop at different rates, and most are faster in some areas…
It can be hard for parents to know where to draw the line between being too permissive, or being too strict. Better understanding age appropriate discipline for your toddler…
All children have moments of aggression. Aggressive behaviour in children is a fairly natural emotional response. But no parent wants that sinking feeling of realising their child has…
Anger in preschool aged children can be pretty frightening or upsetting for the adults around them. We may feel overwhelmed in the face of such strong emotions, or…
Travelling with children, and family members, who have food allergies can add extra stress to family holidays. The secret is to plan ahead! Check out our tips for travelling with family…
Rainy days are the one thing parents do not need during the holidays, but they happen. We have great ideas for free or low cost rainy day activities…
Young children love arts and crafts, and you do not need lots of art supplies to keep them happy. A pack of crayons is all you need to…
For our children, just the same as it is for us, there are times when they have their big difficult feelings that really need loving attention. No matter…
Using paracetamol (Pamol and Panadol) with kids can be a difficult business. On one hand, you’ve got a poor, sick child and on the other hand, you might…
Throughout our lives, we’re exposed to many different germs which are potentially harmful to us. Some of these, like colds, are minor and our bodies can easily fight…
Many children (and parents) find immunisation visits are an easy and relatively pain-free experience. For some children (and parents) however, needles can be scary, especially on the first…
Over the next few weeks there will be a myriad of emotions at the school gate. Tears glistening in the eyes struggling to be held back, excitement with…
All vaccines are thoroughly tested to ensure they are safe and work before they are licensed and used in the community. After being licensed vaccine safety continues to…
Every year children are seen at emergency departments with injuries caused by toys they’ve just received as Christmas presents.
Find our quick reference table of free Online Games – Science & Literacy – fun for kids. Let your toddler, preschool or primary school boys and girls learn science, literacy,…
We’ve pulled together our selection of the best free Maths Games online for kids, updated for 2019. These are educational websites full of games to keep your kids entertained while growing their…
The overall aim of the Ministry of Education’s school transport policy is to “…provide assistance to students who, because of the geographic location of their home or their…
Here are the key terms that you need to understand special education.
An RTLB is a Resource Teacher: Learning Behaviour. Around schools and among students they are commonly called RTLBs. An RTLB works within schools giving support and providing assistance…
For any parent the ‘starting primary school’ phase can be an emotional and worry-filled period. There’s changes of routine, environment, teachers to deal with, new expectations of your…
An IEP is an Individual Education Programme. The terms is often used, but not always understood by those who use it.
GSE (Group Special Education) is the abbreviated term used for the Ministry of Education, Special Education.
Choosing a school for our precious children to attend can be an unnerving experience no matter what. Add to that angst a child with special educational needs and…
Early Intervention is support designed for young children from birth, or from the time they are identified as having special educational needs through to their attending school.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) believes every child and young person can be educated and every student in New Zealand has the right to take part in education…
School visits are one of the many chances you have to help ready your little one for the next step on the NZ education ladder.
Dr Maria Montessori founded the first Montessori community in 1907 in the slums of Rome, Italy and an educational philosophy grew from her work with these fifty poor,…
An au pair is a young person from abroad employed by a host family to care for their children. As a member of the family, au pairs provide live-in…
The Rudolf Steiner/Waldorf movement recognises that schools should be truly comprehensive: open to all girls and boys, with a curriculum for all pupils which is as broad as…
Playcentre is early childhood education that promotes and encourages parents to be the first educators. Read our Playcentre article for more info.
Find out what a nanny is and what they do, how much a nanny costs, where to find a nanny in New Zealand, and how to hire a…
Dr Maria Montessori founded the first Montessori community in 1907 in the slums of Rome, Italy and an educational philosophy grew from her work with these fifty poor,…
At Kohanga Reo all education and instruction is delivered in te reo maori (Maori language). Learn more about Kohanga Reo and how it works in our article.
So you are about to launch into the Kindergarten phase of your life. Our Kindergarten article explains how Kindy works in New Zealand and what to expect.
Home based care is care and education provided by adults in either their own home or the child’s. Find out more about home based care in our article.
Understanding what a Day Care centre is and what exactly they do is important. Our Day Care article will give you this information and answer a lot of…
Te Kura (formally The Correspondence School) offers distance learning programmes for almost 27,000 students per year across New Zealand and overseas.
Researching and choosing an ECE service can be a nerve-racking process. We’ve got information in our Choosing a Service article that may help you along the way.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) is the education and care provided to kids before they go to School. Learn more about education options in Early Childhood.
The Childcare Subsidy helps low and middle-income families to access childcare services. Find out more about the Childcare Subsidy and eligibility here.
From 1 July 2010 all three, four and five-year old children are able to go to early childhood education (ECE) services for six hours a day, 20 hours…
Home schooling is basically just that, educating children in their home rather than in a school environment. Home schooling in New Zealand is also referred to as Home Education.
Te Kura (formally The Correspondence School) provides distance learning for students of all levels in New Zealand. Learn more about Te Kura and how it works.
There are two main types of toddler tantrums. Knowing how to handle toddler tantrums will be much easier if you can recognise which type your child is dealing…
When ultrasound was first turned toward the wombs of pregnant women it revealed that babies suck their thumbs even before they are born.
This guide on sleep needs for children tells you about the expectations for your baby, toddler, young child and teenagers – about naps, sleep habits, overcoming sleep problems…
Frustrated in your efforts with the behaviour problems and development issues of your young boy or girl? Whether it be a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 year…
Nightmares, night terrors and sleep walking are equally scary for parents and children. We provide an overview of the causes, signs and symptoms in children and what you…
One year old normal developmental stages? Milestones of a typical two yr old boy? Growth schedule for a three year old girl? Checklist for a four year old?
Looking for guidelines or checklist of the developmental stages and milestones for your toddler boy or teenage girl? We provide excellent articles for Parents on the key stages and milestones in…
Are you searching for information and advice to help you as a parent to understand and help with a particular young child behaviour problem or issue? One year old…
Night time wetting is one of those problems talked about frequently when it relates to toddlers but rarely when it comes to school age children and even less…
Slow the pace down in the holidays with some reading and storytime activities. Find ideas about how to get started in our 7 great reading and story time…
Get gardening with your children these holidays. Here are some great gardening activities, projects, and ideas to get kids started. This should keep them busy for at least a…
Find out what can you create with your kids for free or at low cost in our Craft Activities for Parent and Child article. Craft activities like card…
Here are some free or low cost craft activities for young children. Fabric and ceramic painting, mosaics and more. Find it all in Craft Activities for 4 –…
Science and nature toys encourage your child to explore their world. More than just chemistry sets, science and nature toys are about exploration, problem solving, responsibility and wonderment.…
Puzzles and logic toys help your child to develop a range of skills, and there are puzzles and logic toys to suit every age and stage of development.…
Playing outdoors is a part of what makes kiwi kids special, and there are some great outdoor toys available. This guide to outdoor toys will help you find…
The average backyard only has room for a few pieces of outdoor play equipment, so choosing the right equipment for play is important. This guide will help you…
When buying equipment for creative play it’s important to consider safety, and make sure the equipment is appropriate for the age and stage of your child. Staff at…
Creative Play is what children do when they’re just being children, and there are plenty of things you can do to encourage creative play in your home. Whether…
Building blocks and toys give children a chance to build their world, and in doing so, blocks and building toys help your child develop a range of skills…
No childhood is complete without bikes, trikes and ride ons. Whether it is a plastic ride on motorbike, or a trike with a trailer, bikes let kids cut loose…
Preschool toys are designed to stimulate your childrens imagination and encourage a love of learning, but more than anything, preschool toys are lots of fun. This guide will…
Once your child becomes a toddler, a whole world of toys opens up. This guide will help you choose the best toddler toys for your 1 , 2…
Oral health affects not only general health – it has an influence on social and psychological factors, influencing self-esteem, the way people look, speak and socialise. Disorders of…
This article covers the signs and symptoms of pneumonia, the treatment and the complications that can occur in children with pneumonia.
This article on influenza – or flu as it is commonly known – explains the common symptoms of flu and how to care for your afflicted child.
This article covers the signs and symptoms of croup, the treatment and the complications that can occur in children with croup.
This article covers the signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis, the treatment and the complications that can occur in babies with bronchiolitis.
Building immunity is vital as we are all more susceptible to colds and flu in the winter – building your immunity can help you to stay well.
Kiwi Families has provided helpful articles on rotavirus and explains the signs and symptoms, Treatments, Risks & Complications in children, when hospital treatment is necessary for rotavirus and…
Giardia is a common NZ parasite. Kiwi Families has provided helpful articles on giardia and explains the signs and symptoms, treatment, risks & complications of the giardia stomach…
We provide information on gastroenteritis and explains the signs and symptoms, Treatments, Risks and Complications of this bug and the special considerations for children with gastroenteritis.
Read on to find out all about campylobacter, we explain the signs and symptoms, treatments, risks and complications of the stomach bug and how to prevent the spread of campylobacter.
We provide information and advice about Slap Cheek or Parvovirus in humans – the signs and symptoms, treatments, risks and complications.
School sores is the common name for Impetigo, which is a skin condition. School sores, or impetigo, is very contagious, and easily spread around school age children. Find…
We provide information about Scarlet Fever – the causes, signs and symptoms, treatment, risks and complications and advice on how to help your child at home with scarlet fever.
Find information on the causes of Scabies infection, what to look for and how scabies is treated. We provide advice about the signs and symptoms, treatments, risks and…
We provide information and advice about the signs and symptoms, treatments, risks and complications of rubella or German measles – most importantly the potential complication for pregnant women.