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…
Congrats! You’ve found the right page for the James Patterson Treasure Hunt! Copy the url at the top of the page then click on this link to go…
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…
Changes within the family come in almost any conceivable way. It could be as joyous as the addition of a new baby all the way through to the…
Home education, also often known as home schooling, is the term used for the practice in which children receive their primary and/or secondary education in the family home…
The kitchen is a fascinating place for children. From pulling the pots and pans out and playing with the wooden spoons, right through the years to being able…
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…
Of all the learning difficulties, hyperactivity is perhaps one of the most difficult for parents and teachers to manage at home.
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…
After the summer break, it’s time to get ready to send the kids back to school. We become used to relaxed mornings, fun outings, seeing friends and family,…
During the primary years your child’s development will slow compared to their preschool years, but there’s still a lot of changes that occur. Is your child developing well…
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…
Has your cute and cheeky child suddenly turned into an argumentative opinionated kid with an attitude to match? Do you find yourself saying yes to things just to prevent…
Anger in children can be pretty frightening or upsetting for the adults around them. We may feel overwhelmed in the face of such strong emotions, or unsure how…
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…
“Oh no, not another rainy day!” If your plans have been hijacked by a never-ending downpour and you’re dreading another round of “Muuum, I’m bored,” we’ve got just…
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…
Your child’s first day at school is a milestone for both you and your child. It’s an exciting time; however, you might feel anxious and your child may…
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…
We have all grown up with books – and most of us still do a fair bit of reading. Until around the 15th century, books were handwritten paper…
Treat the family to a half-day or full day outing at a wildlife sanctuary. This is an outdoor experience for both adults and children of all ages, where…
Movies have been around for more than a century and we have all grown up with them. They have become an integral part of family entertainment, whether they…
How many times have you had to say to your child over the past week *“Listen to me…” *“You’re not listening…”
An overview article on What is Dyspraxia, including signs and symptoms and what treatment is available. Dyspraxia is broadly defined as a neurological disorder of motor co-ordination that involves…
This is an overview article on what is Dyslexia? Dyslexia is defined in the Dictionary as ‘an impairment or loss of the ability to read’. It comes from…
A diagnosis of autism is perhaps the most difficult a parent can face. Many children with autism live their lives cut off from any real communication with those…
Sensory processing is the mechanism by which we receive sensory messages and turn them into responses. Sensory Processing Disorder occurs when the child either under-responds to sensory stimuli…
Rosemary Murphy overviews the various treatments for ADHD, including medication, drug free options, and diet.
If you ask any senior teacher they will invariably tell you that there are more children today with learning and behavioural difficulties than there were 35 years ago.…
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,…
While you still have a little say in what books your child reads take the bull by the horns. You have less and less opportunity to influence what…
When our children come home from school with school readers as homework we can feel a huge responsibility to ‘help in the right way’. Often this can be…
Check our Glossary of Reading related terms :
Ideas and strategies on encouraging boys to read focusses on their interests using magazines, websites and newspapers for older boys and series books for younger boys. Reading practice…
As a parent you are probably helping your child with reading much more than you may realise. If your home contains books, magazines and catalogues and your child…
Some children struggle with reading. The fact is that for almost 40 percent of kids learning to read is a challenge to some extent or another. There is…
Reading is one of these fundamental, must learn skills and probably one of the things that causes us as parents and caregivers the most angst while our children…
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…
Communication between parents and the school becomes more important as your child gets older. We give you some ideas about who to make contact with at intermediate school.
It can be confusing trying to understand how your child will be learning at intermediate school. Read an overview about the Intermediate school structure, NZ curriculum, and educational goals.
Going to intermediate school can mean quite a change in the way your child learns. Find out more about this crucial stage in our introduction to intermediate article.
No matter how in touch you are with what’s going on at school, school reports will give you the most detailed and accurate ‘snapshot’ of how your child…
There’s a new buzz on the streets and roads of New Zealand towns and city’s…the buzz of the walking school bus.
There is huge emphasis placed on our children coming away from school at the end of their ‘education careers’ as literate and numerically capable beings, for want of…
Assessment of your child forms a big part of their education from now on and along with assessment comes more terms and acronyms to understand. We’ll give you…
Homework plays a very important part in your child’s learning and is given to them for a reason. While it’s not compulsory, most teachers will give students homework in…
Reading Recovery is a programme designed to help improve the reading ability of children who are struggling. Read more in Reading Recovery.
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,…
Correspondence School is an education choice for some and necessity for others at primary level. Find out about Primary Correspondence School here.
When your child goes to Primary School there are many roles you can play as a parent. Find out what some of these are our Role of Parents…
Your child will be taught a core set of subjects when they go to Primary School. Find out what those are and some further basics in Core Primary…
Your child is about to go to Primary School and you’d like an overview of the what, how, when, whys. Read our Primary School System Overview to find your…
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…
Giftedness is having a natural gift for something. We’ve all heard children refered to as “intelligent”, “genius”, “advanced” or “accelerate”. Often what we mean, without realising it or…
Trying to figure out how to transport your child to and from a new school can cause some problems. Some students are entitled to School Transport help.
It can be scary and daunting to find your child needs special help through their education. Find more about what this all means in Special Education Overview.
An independent school, more commonly known as a private school is another education choice available. Find out more in our Independent Schools article.
There are lots of different types of schools you can send your child to in New Zealand. What are they? How are they different? Find out more in…
OSCAR stands for Out of School Care and Recreation. OSCAR programmes aim to meet the needs of children during out of school hours in a safe and fun…
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.
A glossary is always helpful. Here in our education glossary you can find explanations for all those education terms and anagrams you have heard and read.
Enrolling your child in school is not always simple, there are school enrolment and school zones issues to consider. Learn more in our Enrolment and Zoning article.
Deciles and decile ratings are two terms we as parents hear a lot but what do they mean? Find out and learn what deciles mean for your child’s…
Te Kura (formerly The Correspondence School) provides distance learning for students of all levels in New Zealand. Learn more about Te Kura and how it works.
Choosing a school for your child to attend can be difficult. There are all sorts of you need to know. Read more in our Choosing a School article.
The Board of Trustees is in charge of running the school and making any major decisions. Learn more about the Board of Trustees in our article.
Check out our checklist of the key points in Before School and After School care in New Zealand you’ll need to consider. We list the important issues, the things to watch out for,…
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…
The only way to have a friend is to be one – Ralph Waldo Emerson How do you make new friends in your area? Some children make new…
Five year old developmental stages? Milestones of a six year old? Checklist for a seven year old? Growth chart for an eight year old? Normal nine year old boy? Typical ten year…
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…
Bullying continues to be an awful problem for many children. Our first step needs to be to listen to our children’s story and support their feelings, although this…
Bullying is not okay. Bullying is a common behaviour problem with potentially serious ramifications such as health problems, depression, even suicide. Many schools have anti-bullying programmes and policies…
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…
If your child is a real movie lover, then here are some Movie Magic activities to keep them busy over the school holidays.
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 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 year old kids. Create something fabulous and practical that you and your children can…
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 –…
Travel games like car cricket and 20 questions can make those long trips bearable. Try some of these road trip car games and activities the next time you’re…
We all need some new places to visit these school holidays. Find some new and interesting places to visit in your area. Parks, reserves, playgrounds, bushwalks and more.