It Takes A Village

How many teenagers know what they want to do when they leave school? Jane Kennelly, the Director of People for Skills Group, says in this era of fast-moving technological change it's hard for anyone to know exactly where the job market's going to go - let alone kids.

Clinical psychologist Polly Schaverien talks with Kathryn about helping teenagers with anxiety and unhealthy perfectionism. She says adolescence is a time of exponential growth and development, and the "job" of the teen is to establish their identity, develop socially and learn emotional regulation. She says parents play a big role - and the first thing they need to do is check their own perfectionism. In other words, are you getting joy out of your children's achievements? Or are you deriving your own self-esteem from seeing your children achieve?

How to help children to be more assertive and self confident, without being demanding and aggressive. Clinical psychologist and mum of 3, Jacqui Maguire says assertiveness is a life skill, not a personality trait. She says children can learn it with practice, encouragement, and role models. But often parents don't really have a handle on this skill either and assertiveness takes practice for everyone.

Cooking and baking with children is a great idea - even if its makes a helluva mess, according to early childhood education research specialist Dr Vicki Hargraves. She's an early childhood teacher and mother, and ECE research specialist at The Education Hub, an organization that supports teachers with knowledge about best practice. She says spending time in the kitchen with your children is a great way to support their learning - from shapes, colours, comprehension, sequencing and creativity. And if you do a good job, you'll end up with kids who can share the cooking load in the household.

What are the pros and cons of handing out awards to children? From player of the day in sport, to winner of the spelling bee, to Dux of the school. Dr Elise Waghorn is a Lecturer at R-M-I-T University's School of Education in Melbourne. She says while awards can reward effort, they can also be unhelpful and lead to a fixed mind set in children.

Babies born during Covid-19 lockdowns developed and moved through early milestones under challenging and unique circumstances. Whānau Āwhina Plunket Chief Nurse Zoe Tipa talks about what families can do to help their 4 and 5 year olds as they start or prepare to start school.

In parenting today, how to raise resilient children who don't wilt at the first hurdle they face.

Neuroscience educator and parenting coach Nathan Wallis discusses finding the balance with boundaries for children and teens while maintaining an open trusting relationship. He says boundaries give children an edge to their world, and teach them what's acceptable.

Sadness, nerves, jealousy, anger and frustration - just like adults, children feel these emotions, but sometimes don't have the words or skills to deal with them. Gen Muir is a social worker, parent educator, author, founder of Connected Parenting and mum of four boys.

Parenting can be a challenge at the best of times - but what about when mum or dad are experiencing low mood ? - Clinical Psychologist Ben Sedley with strategies to help

Owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with poorer mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood, according to a global study of more than 100,000 young people. The study was published earlier this week in the peer-reviewed Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, and found that 18- to 24-year-olds who had received their first smartphone at age 12 or younger were more likely to report suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, poorer emotional regulation, and low self-worth. OECD data in 2018 showed that New Zealand youth used digital devices 42 hours per week on average, compared to 35 hours globally, and studies have shown that children's screen use has increased since then. So how can parents and caregivers manage screen time? Kathryn speaks with Jackie Riach, psychologist and country lead for Triple P New Zealand which provides parenting programmes nationwide.

At 37, many people are still getting to grips with being a parent. Matty Acton was learning how to be a grandparent. He and his wife Esther have two kids, aged 8 and 11, and he's also stepdad to Esther's 23 year old son Ethan - who became a dad himself last year. Esther and Matty, who's also a breakfast radio host on Brisbane's B105 radio station, have been documenting their journey on their podcast called Underaged Grandparents. In it they explore the unexpected challenges of becoming grandies while still navigating parenting, marriage and life in general. Matty also has well over 200-thousand followers on Facebook and Instagram, where he posts skits about daily life - like 'how to trick your kids into a confession', 'when mum has had enough', how house rules change when you have guests' and 'things parents of boys say...parts one and two.'

Sara Segar discusses how parents help turn experiences into learning for their children. She runs the Experiential Learning Depot in Minnesota and developed a range of resources for teachers and families, when she realised there was a desire for hands-on, authentic learning at home and in the classroom, but no material to help.

The costs - and pain - associated with poor oral health care has become a huge burden on families and the health system, so how can parents get it right for their kids, and encourage good dental habits that last into their later years? Basic dental care is free in New Zealand for children from birth until they turn 18. But there are thousands of children currrently on waiting lists for dental treatment, we're talking serious surgeries which require them to go under general anaesthetic, with sugar consumption a significant contributor along with a lack of dental clinic visits. Oral health promotions manager at the New Zealand Dental Association is Anishma Ram. The NZDA has more information on dental care for children here.

It can be hard to avoid what's going on in the world right now, including for children. How can parents help their kids make sense of what's going on, without scaring them?