When Rob and Zareen Cope's four children began wanting phones and screens, the pair decided to dive into the research. They travelled overseas talking with experts and made a documentary. Today, the Cope's company - Our Kids Online - educates parents about the dangers of handheld devices and the internet-age, and how best to mitigate them. They spoke to around 500 parents in Wellington last night.

Starting baby on solids can be a daunting prospect, no matter how many kids you have - since every child's food journey is different. Baby led weaning or spoon feeding? How to introduce potential allergens into their diet? How much is enough? Australian-based duo Julia Tellidis and Lauren Skora are a clinical nutritionist and baby nutrition consultant who have have teamed up to create what they've called 'Baby Food Bible'. In addition to extensive information about the whens and hows of introducing solids to a baby's diet, it's also chock-full of recipes designed to appeal to the fussiest little eaters.

Mark Osborne set up Leading Learning which covers a range of educational services including leadership development and mentoring, curriculum development and creating innovative learning environments.

Gratitude journals have been embraced by some adults in recent years - but what about children? An electrician turned writer, and an Auckland teacher have now created a wellbeing journal for tamariki - Piki te Ora. Hira Nathan trained as an electrician, it is still his day job, but has always had a passion for writing. He has already written a bilingual gratitude journal for adults- Whakawhetai. And now Hira has teamed with Pike te Ora co author, Jessie Eyre who is a teacher at Western Heights School in Henderson.

Becoming an empty nester can often mean a new lease of life and freedoms, as children leave the family home to study, travel or move into their own place. 

Melbourne-based provisional psychologist Darren Godwin says tween and teens athletes and their parents can benefit from the same sort of assistance pros get to deal with ups and downs.

As a cellphone ban comes into force this term for school kids, Nine to Noon looks at the issue of when to get a phone for your child. While many - if not most - of us had a phone-free childhood, the pressure for children to get their own phones is creeping lower and lower. Many parents will opt for Year 7 and 8 - the intermediate school years - as a time when a phone can help kids navigate a little independence with the peace of mind being able to contact them can bring. Joining Kathryn to talk about this is Ellie Gwilliam is a content editor and presenter for the Parenting Place.

How women feel about their bodies has always been fraught, but could mothers have a big role to play in helping their daughters feel better about their own? Developmental psychologist Janet Boseovski and social psychologist Ashleigh Gallagher are based at the University of North Carolina and have co-authored a new book called Beyond Body Positive: A Mother's Evidence-Based Guide for Helping Girls Build a Healthy Body Image. As social media adds to the pressure to look a certain way and try crazy diets, what impact is this having on young women? Janet and Ashleigh say girls are digesting body images from a very young age, particularly those modeled by their mums. They join Kathryn to share some insights into what mums can do to help cultivate healthy eating behaviours and body image.

We intuitively know music is powerful. Songs have the ability to shape the way that we feel about and interact with the world. Music therapists harness that power to help people overcome metal and physical challenges. It can be particularly useful for children who need a little extra push to meet their development goals. Sessions involve celebrating music in all its forms, singing songs and playing instruments. To celebrate World Music Therapy Week, which runs from the 10th to the 15th of April, Kathryn Ryan is joined by registered music therapist and clinical services manager at Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust Rachel Foxell.

Many parents will know the struggle of getting children off devices. But Rachel Clare has some great ideas.

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright on some of the most effective evidence based-strategies to build preschoolers language across the day.

School has been back for a few weeks now, some children will have a group of mates already, while others struggle to find friends, particularly if they're at a new school.

School refusal is a different kettle of fish than a child simply wanting to stay home for a day. It's a situation where they become so anxious or fearful - and it can be for a variety of reasons - that they refuse to go, repeatedly. While it's difficult to measure how many kids experience this, Dr Rosina McAlpine, founder of the Win Win Parenting program in Australia, says it could be up to five percent. Dr Rosina founded the parenting wellness workshop, which has been run across Australia and New Zealand, when through her work she realised many working parents were lacking support on how to balance their home life. Dr Rosina has completed a Masters of Higher Education and an education-focused PhD and joins Kathryn Ryan from Sydney to discuss school refusal.

It is a vexed issue for many parents, how to navigate the social media tightrope with their children and be aware of the dangers. 

Boston-based psychologist Laurie Kramer has built a career out of helping children to get along. Her work focuses on the experiences of kids aged three to five - an age where many become siblings for the first time, and are also making friends at preschool and kindergarten. Her work began in the '90s, when as a fresh graduate she became interested in what childrens' interactions were actually like, when no adult was around. Kramer, a professor of applied psychology at Northeastern University, was one of the first to adopt the technique of videotaping preschoolers, to observe their relationship forming skills - and how they navigated arguments. She joins Kathryn Ryan to share some insights into the workings of little minds, when no one is there to watch. Laurie Kramer has developed a tool for parents, to help them navigate their children through conflict - you can find it here.

Neuroscience educator and parenting coach Nathan Wallis discusses the incredible development of the human brain - particularly in the early months and years. He talks about research which identifies critical or sensitive periods in early childhood which can impact brain development. What are these "windows"? And once closed, can they ever be re-opened?

Kathryn speaks with parenting coach Dayna Galloway about strategies for parents and caregivers.

The start of the school year can be an expensive time, not just for uniforms and stationery, but for devices too. And if you are the parent of a child with disabilities the costs are amplified. Workbridge Chief Executive and Assistive Technology consultant Jonathan Mosen says there's a complexity of choice for aids to help pupils with visual and hearing impairment - and with that can come high price tags.

Getting a good night sleep can be tough on a sticky summer night. It can be even harder for young kids - and their parents! - whose sleep schedules have been put out of whack by holiday adventures and longer daylight hours. Should parents be concerned if their children aren't getting enough shut-eye? And as the end of the holidays approach and a return to school looms what are some of the ways to get back into a good sleep routine? Professor Sarah Blunden is a clinical psychologist and Head of Paediatric Sleep Research at Central Queensland University in Australia.

If you're the eldest child, the stereotype would have us believe you're responsible, conscientious and a bit bossy. Second born - more chilled out and creative and the youngest? Spoilt! But does birth order really influence personality? The evidence is not really there, says neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis, and personality is more to do with the circumstances into which we are born.

If you've ever asked a young child how their day was, you might have got a couple of responses - either a blank stare, or a list of every single thing that had happened to them that day. Judith Hudson studies memory development in children and the development of children's understanding of time. Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University in New Jersey, she says the way parents interact and talk to their children helps develop the child's memory for the past, and their ability to think about and plan for future events.

Speech and Language Therapist Christian Wright on what NOT to say to parents concerned about their child's speech and language development. And he'll share strategies for dealing with these questions if they do arise.

A new podcast that's helping parents of disabled children navigate the tricky issues of sexuality, sex and sexual harm. The Courage Club brings parents of medically disabled or neuro-divergent kids together with experts over five episodes, seeking to encourage conversations that might normally be taboo or down the pecking order in terms of things to worry about. It's designed as a resource to help keep disabled kids safe. Kathryn is joined by Emily Writes, the Courage Club's host and mother to two high needs children. Also with me is Kathryn McPhillips, from Help - an organisation that supports Aucklanders who have been sexually abused and is one of the podcast's partners.

It's tough growing up, and adolescence can be particularly brutal -- especially for kids' mental health. With child adolescent mental health services coming under increasing pressure, the search is on for tools to mitigate mental distress in the home. Clinical psychologist Zara Mansoor specialises in child and adolescent mental health. Her current post-doctoral research looks at the impact of involving parents in care for early adolescent anxiety and depression - and shows a few simple steps can help ease the challenges for teens.

Sextortion, kids being groomed online, nudes being sent around kids, who should be blamed for that? Sex therapist Jo Robertson has advice about how to have those tricky chats with children and teens.

If you ever ask a teenager what they're going to do after high school, you may notice them recoil. For many students in their final years of school this is an anxiety-inducing question. Career Coach Tracey Beard says that if we really want to help, we need to re-think 'the career conversation'. Tracey is the CEO, what she calls 'the chief encouragement officer', at Career Matters, a coaching service for students and caregivers.

Bestselling author and psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg talks to Kathryn about creating and fostering the grandparent-grandchild relationship. Throughout time it has been a special relationship, but as lives get busier, retirement age stretches out and technology absorbs children - we're looking at key ways to navigate the complexities of connecting and staying in touch. Dr Carr-Gregg's latest book Grandparents - is a practical guide to navigating being a Nana or Grandad.

Parents often say they never stop worrying about their offspring. But how does parenting change as your children become adults? Are today's adult children more dependent on their elders for longer? What is the roadmap for parents here? Neuroplasticity educator and parenting expert, father and grandfather, Nathan Wallis joins Kathryn.

When a teen lacks confidence in studying for their exams, a "leadership nudge" from a supportive parent becomes essential, says  parenting coach Joseph Driessen.

The years between nine and 12 are a rapid period of development for any young person. Not quite a child, and not yet a teenager - the "tweens" can be tough to navigate for both youngsters and their parents. Michelle Mitchell is an educator, author and award-winning speaker, whose most recent book is all about tweens. She says before the full pressures of high school hit, parents have a window of opportunity that can change the trajectory of adolescence and beyond.

Mohamed Alansari, senior researcher for the New Zealand Council for Educational Research joins Kathryn to talk about how to improve outcomes for growing Te Reo Maori in schools. Which schools are doing it well - and what practices could other schools learn from them? He highlights research from a new report.

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright talks to Kathryn about what parents can do to stimulate pre-schoolers language development. We'll also look at how to identify when there might be delays in development.

Are you struggling with your child's tantrums? Michael Hempseed is encouraging parents to rethink tantrums and anger, and instead of punishing a child for lashing out, he says it's vital to understand the root cause of the behaviour. Michael Hempseed is the director of Frontiers of Hope, a specialist mental health service in Christchurch, and has worked with Dame Sue Bagshaw for many years at Te Tahi Youth, the youth health centre that she founded. Together they have written Calming Your Child: De-escalating Tantrums, Anxiety, Aggression and Other Challenging Behaviours. Kathryn talks to Michael about their tips for de-escalating tantrums, as well as exploring the possible causes behind problem-behaviour, such as anxiety, sensory processing issues, ADHD, and autism

Susie discusses the the thorny issue of limiting screentime for children with Dave Atkinson from the Parenting Place, and how do deal with the fallout from that.

The Japanese bonsai – a "perfect little tree" that thrives only with lots and lots of care – is a good metaphor for children raised to be reliant on high levels of support, says clinical psychologist Judith Locke. Despite their parents' best intentions, 'Bonsai children' learn to expect that it's other people who'll make them happy and successful, she tells Susie Ferguson.

In parenting today we are exploring how play therapy can be used by parents and caregivers to respond to kids, and incorporated into every day activities. Angela North is a psychologist with 30 years' experience employing play therapy with children, adolescents and their families. She says it can be used to help to treat a range of emotional and behavioral problems. Along with Dr Stephen McKenzie, she has written the book Mindfulness at Play. It's a guide for helping parents to really be in the moment with the children despite the distractions of busy lives. Angela North says the principles of mindfulness can help children with self esteem and to manage their emotions.

Kathryn talks with parenting coach and education consultant Joseph Driessen about parents can help their children develop independent learning habits.

Declining regular school attendance has been the focus of a lot of political debate here, and in term one last year only 46 percent of students reached the benchmark for regular attendance. It's also a hot topic across the Tasman where a Senate inquiry is looking into the problem in Australian schools. Michael Hawton is an Australian registered psychologist, a former school teacher and the founder of Parentshop which is a resource hub for parents, educators and child family specialists. He says school leaders report that student anxiety is a most significant concern and it is having an impact on them staying away from school.

There's nothing wrong with dyslexic people, they just need help to navigate a world wired for language processors rather than visual thinkers, says retired psychologist Laughton King. He says parents and teachers need to focus on helping dyslexic kids rather than sabotaging their learning.

Watching your teenager get behind the wheel can be nerve-wracking for any parent, but neuroplasticity educator and parenting expert Nathan Wallis has some suggestions to make it slightly less scary for all concerned. 

Distinguished professor of Maori and Indigenous Studies Linda Tuhiwai Smith's latest work is about understanding children exposed to trauma. She is a leading scholar and researcher in indigenous studies, indigenous education and kaupapa Maori research, and is a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to Maori and education. Now Dr Tuhiwai Smith has written a series of kaupapa Maori-based stories that nurture resilience for children who've experienced trauma and deal wiith hardships that many whanau face. They're books about tamariki - developed for caregivers, whanau and professionals, including social workers, psychologists, doctors - who support children's wellbeing.

Parents determined to protect their children from life's everyday challenges can inadvertently stifle their emotional development, says clinical psychologist and mother of two Jacqui Maguire.

The newly developed Common Practice Model is going to inform how literacy and maths is taught in primary and secondary schools in the coming years. But what does that mean, and what are the teaching principles behind it? Work carried out by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research was used by the Ministry of Education to develop the common-practice model. Kathryn speaks to Mohamed Alansari, a senior researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research.

As the school holidays near an end and term 2 is about to begin, many children have their friend groups sorted, others are still finding their feet. Today we're talking about loneliness at school and how to survive lunchtime. Ellie Gwilliam is a content editor and presenter for Parenting Place and the mother of three daughters. Parenting Place is a charity sharing resources for parents, and offering family coaching and courses.

Author and parenting coach Maggie Dent shares advice for parents who are wondering what to do when their child only wants them or your co-parent to do things for them. 

Advice for parents with children experiencing feeding challenges - when it's more than just "fussy eating". Rebecca Barnard is a Christchurch based Occupational Therapist whose private practice supports children who have a range of complications that impact their ability to eat, try new foods, and enjoy mealtimes. These could be phyiscal, sensory or psychological. How should parents identify they're in challenging territory - what are strategies to resolve feeding challenges, and what help is available?

Parents can help their teenage children avoid patterns of emotional overreaction, says psychologist Michael Hawton. His new book The Anxiety Coach is a guide for parents on how to help young people manage their emotions and develop resilience.

The average Kiwi child first encounters internet porn at 12. To prevent the unsafe and unrealistic sex depicted in porn from being normalised for a child, therapist Jo Robertson recommends parents offer contrasting information a couple of years beforehand.

What are parents or caregivers to do when there's not much left in the tank? Not being too hard on yourself is a good start, says clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo.

Motivated by the isolation many tamariki were feeling during the lockdown, child psychologists Sarika Rona and Lisa Cherrington wanted to write a book to help tamariki with the emotional challenges of separation. Their new picture book The Awhi Warrior is about Teina, a little boy who is upset that he can't visit his Nanny Mihi and give her an awhi, a hug, during lockdown. Together they explore the power of the atua, the gods of te ao Maori, and Teina learns he can connect with his ancestors and the spiritual world to feel supported and loved. Kathryn speaks with Sarika Rona, an educational psychologist and co-author of the book.

Upside Youth Mentoring has been operating for 16 years predominantly in the Auckland region. It runs programmes for at risk children aged 9 to 13 and matches them up with volunteer mentors. Jenny Horst is the CEO of Upside Youth Mentoring Aotearoa and she says the mentors help young people to navigate life's difficulties.

Dr Jean Annan is an educational psychologist and has worked as a university lecturer, researcher and a teacher. Her new book is '7 Dimensions: Children's Emotional Well-being' which is a simple framework for adults to make sense of the abundance of information about young people's thoughts and feelings.

Tired parents hoping to train newborns to sleep through the night need to adjust their expectations, parenting expert and neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis says.

Wellbeing and emotions facilitator Cat Levine talks to Kathryn about recognising and dealing with children with back to school anxiety . Also the impact the Auckland flooding has had on thousands of pupils and students.

Perfectionism can prevent children from taking risks but parents can help relieve the pressure, says Australian parenting expert Justin Coulson.

US psychologist, Dr Becky Kennedy and author of Good Inside trouble shoots a range of scenarios facing parents, including sibling rivalry, separation anxiety and tantrums. She has 1.6 million followers on Instagram @drbeckyatgoodinside

The National Survey of Schools' latest findings show teachers are happiest working in schools that support their growth and development. It also highlights the importance of continuing to improve digital resources and facilities in schools. It's all part of the New Zealand Council for Educational Research's Te Pae Tawhiti programme of research. Kathryn is joined by senior researcher Mohamed Alansari.

Kathryn talks with parenting coach and education consultant Joseph Driessen about how to protect teenagers from the dangers of using drugs and excess alcohol.

How do children develop social skills and how best can parents support this? Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright has some strategies and he'll take your questions

Neuroplasticity educator and parenting expert Nathan Wallis talks with Susie about different parenting styles. Are you a brick wall, jellyfish or a backbone parent? And what is best for children, according to the research.

Counsellor Cat Levine talks about the risk factors that predispose children to anxiety - and what parents can do to help.

For many new parents, getting out of the house can be a mission with nappies, change of clothes, food, buggy or front pack. Ceana Priest says - don't be daunted by that. She's mum to six year old Finn, and she's been taking him on adventures since he was a baby.

According to the World Health Organisation, children under 5 need 180 minutes of physical activity every day. To help early childhood teachers give pre-schoolers the physical activity they need to succeed, health science researcher Wendy Pirie has developed a programme called MAPP – Movement Active Physical Play.

The teenage years are difficult enough, without adding the challenges of social media and the impact it has on growing brains. We put a fence children when they're toddlers, so do we need to put a virtual fence around teens' social media use? Kathryn is joined by Kathryn Gray, Head of Middle School at St Margaret's College.

Registered nutritionist and specialist in infant, child and maternal nourishment, Vanessa A Clarkson's new book Motherfood has over 40 recipes to help expectant and new mums rise to the task. They're plant-based, wholefood recipes for drinks, meals, breakfasts, snacks, and desserts (all low in refined sugars). Vanessa is an advocate for healthier food systems. She has worked with Australian supermarket Coles to remove food additives, salt and sugars from everyday foods as part of Australia's Health Star Rating system, and is studying towards a PhD in food system transitions at the University of Melbourne.

Teacher, author, public speaker and CEO of Spectrum Education Karen Boyes says study skills can also teach life skills. She shares tips for students and parents.

New research reveals ways teachers are challenging students to be the best they can be. For what the Teaching, School and Principal Leadership Practices Survey reveals about strengths and needs in our schools, and also where teacher morale is at, Kathryn is joined by New Zealand Council for Educational Research Senior Researcher Mohamed Alansari.

Kathryn discusses developmental language disorder with speech and language therapist Christian Wright. He says in every primary school classroom there will be around two children affected by the condition.

School avoidance that stems from anxiety is very different to truancy and requires careful management, says psychologist Dr Emma Woodward.

Kathryn talks with parenting coach and education consultant Joseph Driessen about helping children overcome the effects of the Covid epidemic, at home, at school, and with their friends.

'Helicopter' parenting is a term often used pejoratively to describe an overprotective way of raising kids. Although this approach to parenting is coming from a good place, it can interfere with a child's development, says psychologist Sarb Johal.

It can drive parents mad, but psychologist Dr Rachael Sharman of the University of the Sunshine Coast says sibling rivalry is a perfectly normal - and in fact, even necessary part of the developmental process. So how can parents guide their kids through the conflict process?

Paediatric dietician Jenny Douglas talks to Susie about how to best nourish infants and young children. Jenny runs her own private practice, Jump Start Nutrition in Dunedin. She specialises in infant feeding, food allergies and intolerance, fussy eating and gut health. She has contributed to Nadia Lim's new book Yum which focuses of recipes and nutrition for the whole family.

Mother-daughter duo Robyn and Molly Fausett have collaborated on writing a guide to raising teenagers, their book is called The Kids Will Be All Right. Robyn is a nurse and educator and is a programme writer for health and wellbeing in school education. The book covers off a range of subjects including body image, cyber safety, sexuality, puberty and having respectful relationships. Her daughter Molly brings a youth voice and perspective to it.

Clinical Psychologist Karen Nimmo says teenagers and young adults have had a hard time through the pandemic, disruption at school and university, having to do a lot of learning online. She discusses how best to help teenagers through this stage and how to recognise when they are struggling.

Psychologist Sarb Johal say ambivalence about parenting can strike at any time - even in the lead up to parenting. He says it's totally normal but because few parents ever voice these feelings, it's easy to feel guilty.

 One in ten children suffer from a sleep disorder but most of us – including GPs and paediatricians – know very little about the signs and symptoms, says Dr Chris Winter. In his new book The Rested Child, the American neurologist talks about why the "tired, wired, or irritable child" may actually have a sleep disorder.

Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research Mohamed Alansari with some new research out today, highlighting how most secondary school teachers have changed something about the way they teach because of Covid-19.

Author and parenting coach, Maggie Dent, talks to Kathryn about her new book Girlhood: raising our little girls to be healthy, happy and heard. She says it is vital that parents enable young girls' voices to be heard, and help girls navigate the challenges of modern times. Maggie is the mother of four boys, and the proud grandmother of four girls. She's a former teacher and counsellor, the host of the ABC podcast Parental as Anything.

Many listeners may already have had time at home with Covid and other winter ills. So what's the best way to get through the time together? Ellie Gwilliam is with the Parenting Place, and has just gone through it with her family. She joins Kathryn to talk survival tips.

Neuroplasticity educator and parenting expert Nathan Wallis talks with Kathryn about the advantages of children starting school at six years old. He says while it goes against the norm in New Zealand, in most countries across the world, the starting age is six, often seven. He says those children who start school when they are older than five may be doubly advantaged - by having more free play when their brains need it most, and by being older than their peers when they do start school.

Engaging with a baby in their first three years of life can help set them up with communication skills, says speech-language therapist Emma Quigan. Once you trust that very young children are learning from every interaction, you see time spent with them as a significant opportunity, she tells Kathryn Ryan.

Clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire first spoke Nine to Noon about highly sensitive children back in March. In part two of the conversation, she tells Kathryn Ryan these children are more prone to feeling guilt and shame - and parents should keep this in mind.

New research from the New Zealand Council for Educational Research looks at what gives Maori and Pasifika students the best chance of success at school. Through four studies, the Conceptualising Maori and Pasifika Aspirations and Striving for Success COMPASS project has identified critical factors that serve as important punga/anchors in the educational journeys of akonga/students. Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mohamed Alansari speaks with Kathryn Ryan.

Neuroscience educator Deb Rewiri says it has never been so important to get on board with traditional Māori parenting practices. Help is at hand to take whanau back to when a village raised the children. Deb tells Kathryn about a whanau support initiative called Tākai which embraces mātauranga Māori and indigenous parenting approaches.

Kathryn talks with parenting coach and education consultant Joseph Driessen about parenting skills for blended families.

Lynn speaks to Garth Wynne, who's been involved in educating teenage boys for decades and is now executive principal of Christ's College in Christchurch.

Primary school teacher-turned writer Aaron Topp talks about his latest Young Adult book and shares tips on how to coax reluctant readers to pick up a book.

How can parents best develop their children to become great learners? Kathryn speaks with father and son educators John and Kyle Hattie, who've co-authored a book setting out ten steps for encouraging curiosity and intellectual ambition. They say it all starts with parents demonstrating to their child an openness to new ideas and thinking - and not to be afraid of failure.

How often do you hear your mum or dad's words come out of your mouth when you talk to (or shout at) your kids? Words you swore you would never say to your own child. One of Australia's foremost parenting experts, Maggie Dent says no matter how many parenting books you read, the biggest influence on your parenting style will be your own upbringing. Maggie is the mother of four boys, a former teacher and counsellor whose latest book is called Parental As Anything: Toddlers to Tweens. She is also the host of the ABC podcast Parental as Anything.

Russia's war in Ukraine is dominating the headlines, so what can parents, grandparents or educators do to help children understand what they're seeing? And how can that message be delivered in an appropriate way to various age groups - from pre-schoolers to teenagers? Lynn is joined by Dr Nicole Racine, a clinical pyschologist and expert in paediatric mental health based at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada.

Speech and Language Therapist Christian Wright talks with Lynn Freeman about the language skills new entrants need to have a successful start to school.

Kathryn chats with Clinical Psychologist Jacqui Maguire about how to help highly sensitive children manage their emotions. These might be children who have large empathy for others, who are deeply reflective, or can be easily overstimulated or overwhelmed. Jacqui says highly sensitive children make up 20 per cent of all children.

Neuroplasticity educator and parenting expert, Nathan Wallis discusses children and Covid. What is the impact on children of having to wear face masks at school? And what are the common features we would expect to see in children who are resilient and not negatively impacted by covid?

The "middle years" of 11 to 15 year-olds can be a bit of a muddle, when children are stepping away from the influence of their parents and into that of their peers - and social media influencers. Kathryn Gray is head of Middle School at St Margaret's College in Christchurch and recently received an honours award from Independent Schools NZ for her work in Middle School Education. She joins Kathryn to talk about the unique social, emotional and academic needs children - particularly girls - need at this time. And what parents can do to let their child explore new interests and influences, while still respecting and preserving their privacy.

Clear boundaries help children mature and families work well, says parenting coach Joseph Driessen. He tells Kathryn Ryan what strong leadership looks like from a parent.

Children aged 5-11 are now eligible for the Covid vaccine, and the first week and a half of the immunisation programme has seen strong demand. But not all children will be jumping at the chance - so what if your child is scared of needles or feeling anxious about vaccine? Kathryn gets some tips from Dr Jin Russell, a community and developmental paediatrician at Starship Hospital, about how to best support your child.

Christmas Day is a time for families to get together - but also a time when families can fall apart. There's no magic cure for making Christmas less emotionally challenging, but we can rehearse 'positive coping', says psychologist Kirsty Ross.

Happiness and a sense of belonging at school is key for children's progress and good health. Kathryn is joined by Mohamed Alansari, senior researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, where they have recently looked into the key influences on student well-being, particularly that of MÄori students.

Educator and parenting expert Nathan Wallis talks to Kathryn about the things that kiwi parents worry about the most. They're revealed in a nationwide survey of 1200 parents by the health insurer nib New Zealand. The amount of time children spend on screens , their mental health and balancing work and family are among the top concerns.

As youth mental health issues escalate here and globally, a clinical psychologist says it's imperative to listen young people about what services would best help them. Kerry Gibson is an Associate Professor from the University of Auckland and has done extensive research on the matter, including asking young people where they'd like to go for support. The result is her book What Young People Want from Mental Health Services. She says mental health services for youth are outdated, inhospitable and inaccessible to many, and need a radical overhaul.

It's easy for parents to become angry when children fight repeatedly but a strategic approach is needed to help restore the peace, says parenting coach Joseph Dreissen.

Australian author and educator John Marsden joins Nine to Noon again to talk about why he thinks kids need to take more risks. It's a philosophy he's had throughout his career as an educator and author, and has been a motto at Candlebark, one of the two schools he's founded in his home state of Victoria in Australia.

Parents who turn off audible notifications on their devices have the best chance of expanding their child's vocabulary, according to a new study by the University of Auckland's School of Psychology.

Neuroplasticity educator and parenting expert, Nathan Wallis talks to Kathryn about Covid lockdowns and getting children back to a normal routine and dealing with the anxiety of going back to school after the holidays.

New research from Massey University and New Zealand Council for Educational Research on learning from home shows children are experiencing some rich learning, while the Educational Review Office’s latest report suggests on-going issues for students include anxiety around returning to school, missing out on learning and attendance. For how parents and teachers can support children at this time Kathryn is joined by Mohamed Alansari, Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research.

Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright explains childhood apraxia of speech, where some children have difficulty putting sounds and syllables together.

Being a grandparent is a wonderful role. All care and no responsibility, as the saying goes. But these days many grandparents are involved in helping raise their grandchildren, to support working parents. Dr Tessa Grigg is the co-author of a new book for grandparents - a guide to helping bring up well rounded, emotionally balanced grandchildren - even if you only look after them a few hours a week. It's called Grandparenting Grandchildren: new knowledge and know-how for grandparenting the under 5s.

Clinical Psychologist Sarb Johal talks about why rates of anxiety in children have gone up so much recently. He answers listeners' questions about children and anxiety during lockdown.

How much screen time should you let your children have? How and when do you talk about sex? What can you do when your kid throws a tantrum? Why should you let your children just play? Maggie Dent is the mother of four boys, a former teacher and counsellor who is one of Australia's foremost parenting experts, known as the "Queen of Commonsense". Her latest book is called Parental As Anything: Toddlers to Tweens, and she is also the host of the ABC podcast Parental as Anything.

Parenting tweens and teens can be difficult territory to navigate, even more so in a pandemic when a life lived online is accentuated. Clinical psychologist Jo Lamble and Family GP Ginni Mansberg are riding out Covid restrictions in New South Wales. They have combined their years of experience working with families to write a practical parenting guide - The New Teen Age - how to support today's tweens and teens to become healthy happy adults. It is specifically designed for parents, step-parents and carers.

As any parent of a new baby knows, sleep can be elusive and the abundance of advice about it can be overwhelming. Sleep specialist Dr Bronwyn Sweeney shares some insight.

Imaginary friends - why do kids have them and what do they mean? We're still not quite sure, psychologist Sarb Johal tells Kathryn Ryan, but it's very common and usually nothing parents should worry about.

All kids have angry reactions, and most parents can largely accept these when they can see the cause. But some kids seem to explode for no apparent reason. What's going on? And how can parents and caregivers respond? Such kids are often feeling a painful ambivalence about love and attachment, says parenting coach and educator Joseph Driessen. Parents of these kids need to upskill on how to help them heal, he tells Kathryn Ryan.

It's a trend on the rise around the world - in the UK research into the "boomerang" phenomenon found two thirds of childless single adults aged 20 - 34 had either never left or moved back into the family home due to a precarious job market and sky high rents. A Victoria University study last year into what happened during the main lockdown in New Zealand found 38 per cent of 18 - 24 year olds moved back in with one or both of their parents. So what happens when your kids have flown the nest - only to return? Or if they end up staying on while they undertake tertiary study or training? What are the house rules? Kathryn is joined by Jenny Hale, a Senior Family Coach at Parenting Place.

Closed borders in the last year or so have forced many people to have enforced long periods away from loved ones living overseas. Researcher, writer and anthropologist Helen Ellis knows all about having geographically scattered relatives. Three of her four children, and five of her six grandchildren, live in America, England and Scotland. In non-Covid restricted times it would be a 16 to 30 hour flight to visit them. Drawing on her personal whanau situation and research - her book Being a Distance Grandparent addresses some of the issues and struggles when family life is so spread out. This includes attending an international wedding via zoom.

Research has underlined the importance of parents and teachers working together to help their children do well at school. The partnership is increasingly being emphasised in education policy, and by Māori, Pacific peoples, and parents of children who need learning support. Recent reports also show teachers want to connect more with parents, but lack the time and resources. Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mohamed Alansari joins Kathryn to discuss.

Stuttering is a normal part of learning to speak, particularly when a pre-schooler's language abilities can't keep up with what they want to say. Most children outgrow this phase but for some, the struggle to get words out continues. Wellington Speech and Language Therapist Christian Wright has advice for parents and teachers.

How and when do children become left handers or right handers? Christchurch based educator, speaker, author and founder of Moving Smart, Gill Connell, says coordination in learning is vital to how the brain develops, determining how children think, feel, behave and learn. She talks to Kathryn about the physical activities that can help with coordination.

When Jo Hayes came to New Zealand from the United Kingdom 18 years ago, she didn't intend to stay. But fast-forward a few years and she found herself living north of Auckland with two pre-schoolers and missing her family back home desperately. By chance she met Susan at her daughter's daycare - she was there picking up her grandson. The pair became friends, and Susan became "Granny Susan" to Jo's children. From that grew the idea for Grandfriends an organisation linking up families with no support around them, and older people wanting to lend a hand.

Katie Fitzpatrick is an associate professor of education at the University of Auckland and the lead writer of relationship and sexuality education curriculum policy. She says more emphasis and time needs to be devoted to the mental health, sexuality and wellbeing of students from primary to high school. Dr Fitzpatrick talks to Kathryn about why health education is the poor cousin of numeracy and literacy.

Kathryn checks in on a parenting programme pilot in Nelson set up to help new fathers. The free 10 week course is available to all new dads, step dads and also includes men awaiting the birth of their first child. It is part of a Ministry of Social Development WhÄnau Resilience programme and is run by family violence specialists SVS - Living Safe in partnership with Perinatal Support Nelson. Aaron Agnew is the course facilitator.

Kathryn speaks with Dr Maysoon Salama, whose storybook for children Aya and the Butterfly is a new picture book to help young children come to terms with grief, cope with change, and build resilience. Dr Salama lost her son Atta Elayyan in the Al Noor mosque attack in Christchurch a little over two years ago. 

Parenting coach and educator Joseph Driessen with guidance on how to build a secure attachment relationship with your child. He says a well functioning trusting bond between a primary caregiver and child is essential to healthy development.

Sue Blair has been working with families for nearly 20 years as a family coach and parenting skills educator and she is also the author of The Personality Puzzles. Her particular specialisation is understanding the personality dynamics within a family. This includes how siblings with the same upbringing can be vastly different to each other and react differently to situations. Lack of understanding can lead to a break down in communication with children of any age, but Sue Blair says teenage years are usually the most challenging. So how can you harmoniously parent within a diverse household?

Parents of teenagers often wonder what has happened to their child's brain. They may be moody, not understanding or appearing to care about consequences, they may struggle to maintain focus, and may be very self-absorbed! Neuroscience educator and parenting expert, Nathan Wallis says during adolescence, parts of the teenage brain are "shut for renovations". He says understanding the changes that are taking place for the adolescent will help parents successfully navigate these important and formative years.

The best way to empower young people is to give them tools to manage their own emotions says clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire. She's written a children's book When the Wind Blew, which introduces a series of home-based, practical psychological tools designed to "turn down the dial on the fight or flight response".

Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research Mohamed Alansari tells Lynn Freeman about a survey and research to support rainbow students and communities.

As a society, we expect any meal served to automatically be eaten. But that's not logical to a child with any sort of sensory discomfort around food, says nutritional therapist Judith Yeabsley.

Parenting coach and educator Joseph Driessen with tips for helping children manage themselves and control their impulsivity.

After eighteen years of parenting, for some parents at least it might be hard to let go. So when your now young adult leaves home for tertiary education and an independent life how do you adjust and how can you support your young person during the first part of their first time living away from home?

Kathryn talks with educator, speaker and author Gill Connell about the importance of movement in getting young children ready for the classroom and learning. She says kids are born to move, and in the early years it is the body actually teaching the brain how to accept, assimilate, process, and use information. Gill's books include A Moving Child Is a Learning Child and Move Play and Learn with Smart Steps.

Separation is often a process of pain and grief, particularly when children are involved. Writer Katrina Smithson found out about New Zealand's Family Court system the hard way - via a four-year custody case. She's written The New Zealand Family Court Survival Guide to give other people the insights she wishes she'd had about making the process more efficient and less costly.

Maggie Dent talks with Kathryn about how to "unstick" unmotivated sons. She is the mother of four boys, a former teacher and counsellor who has become one of Australia's foremost parenting experts - and self described "boy champion". Her latest book is called From Boys to Men, and she is also the host of the ABC podcast Parental as Anything. She is about to run a webinar series based on her book From Boys to Men.

In our parenting slot today, Kathryn talks to Australian Clinical Psychologist, Georgie Fleming about how online observations of families dealing with challenging behaviour can help diffuse situations. Dr Fleming is a lecturer at UNSW School of Psychology and a Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Therapist. She led a trial involving families in regional and rural NSW, They were given virtual parenting support through a live zoom trial led by researchers at UNSW Sydney.

What can families and schools do to help children and young people overcome fear and anxiety about climate change? New work from the New Zealand Council for Educational Research looks at how to give young people the knowledge, values, skills and opportunities to help ensure a more sustainable future. Kathryn speaks with Rachel Bolstad, senior researcher on the project.

Adventurer and educator Sash Nukada believes saying 'be careful' to children at play is counter-productive and can induce fear and make them risk averse. He says it's more beneficial to explain what to look out for and how to avoid hazards Sash works for Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoors Education,Tongariro Centre, as the Tertiary Programme Manager.

Author of the My Big Moments series of personalised books for young children Hannah Davison talks to Kathryn Ryan about her picture book Ready For School which doubles as a guide for parents to help tamariki prepare for starting school or change schools.

A new report into the way many girls and young women regard their bodies paints a sobering picture, with 72% of young people surveyed reporting feeling negatively about their appearance at some point in the day - and for quarter of them, it’s an all-day feeling.

Neuroscience educator and parenting expert, Nathan Wallis talks to Kathryn about how the brain heals from trauma, and the latest research around neuroplasticity.

Hannah Davison  is the co-founder and author of the My Big Moments series of personalised books for children aged two and up. She talks to Phillipa Tolley about Baby on the Way, a picture book for children which doubles as a guide for parents to help prepare siblings-to-be for a new addition to the whānau.

Father of three, and Federated Mountain Clubs executive member Jamie Stewart shares ways for families to get out into the wilderness this summer.

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright talks about the cornerstone of language development: imitation.

A nationwide survey of New Zealand parents explores how families coped with Covid lockdown. Our regular parenting commentator Nathan Wallis was an advisor on the survey, conducted by health insurer nib. He discusses the findings, including the impact of lockdown on children's behavior, parents' stress levels and relationships.

For the first time, 6000 children taking part in the country's largest longitudinal study have been able to give their own thoughts and insights into their lives. The latest report from the University of Auckland's Growing Up in New Zealand study focuses on life for the children born in 2009 and 2010 at the age of eight. Many of the children reported a firm sense of cultural and gender identity, increasing freedom and high levels of participation in sports and music. The cohort at eight had moved around a lot - three quarters had moved at least once - and almost half had moved two or more times since birth. Growing Up in New Zealand principal investigator, Professor Susan Morton, joins Kathryn to further unpick the results of the Now We Are Eight report.

Education consultant and parenting coach Joseph Driessen talks with Kathryn about helping children identify and manage their feelings. He says it's important to create a family culture where children (and adults) accept and validate the feelings of others.

Maggie Dent talks with Kathryn about the art of effective communication with teenage boys. She is the mother of four sons, a former teacher and counsellor who has become one of Australia's foremost parenting experts - and self described "boy champion". Her latest book is called From Boys to Men, and she is also the host of the ABC podcast Parental as Anything.

How can parents help children to develop self-control – a key indicator of their future wellbeing as adults?  Psychologist Sarb Johal discusses what's been revealed by new research findings from the Growing Up in New Zealand study.

Advocate of outdoor nature education, Wendy Pirie says there are so many benefit of children running around outside and exploring their environment. She is the founder of an Early Learning Centre in Taradale, Hawkes Bay where children have 2 acres of natural play space.

What's behind a rise in childhood allergies, and can anything be done to prevent it? Sydney-based gastroenterologist Dr Vincent Ho, has written a new book called The Healthy Baby Gut Guide which looks at what parents can do to help babies develop strong immune responses in their first 1000 days.

Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mohamed Alansari with what the learnings about learning at home during lockdown have been to date.

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright talks about two speech sound errors commonly heard in children's speech that can persist through adolescence and into adulthood - the R and Th sounds.

A Northland iwi is putting its own spin on the international Incredible Years parenting programme, localising it with input from kaumatua and kapa haka.

New research on the prevalence of bullying, and tips not just to help parents prevent it but to help them cope with it . Dr Cara Swit, from the University of Canterbury's School of Health Sciences, is one of a few researchers in New Zealand focusing on how we can react if a child is a bully, or is being bullied. Dr Swit is spending time with parents and teachers as part of a new three-year longitudinal study, gathering evidence on how young children's behaviour impacts on their health and wellbeing. Dr Swit tells Kathryn Ryan her work has been sparked by some worrying trends she has observed both in the classroom and pre-school.

We shouldn't fear a bit of messiness in our interactions with people we care about, says psychologist Dr Ed Tronick. He recently co-authored the book The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs of Relationships Are the Secret to Building Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust with paediatrician Dr Claudia Gold.

Registered dietician, Professor Clare Wall talks to Kathryn about the importance of kai for babies and toddlers, simply put, choosing a chicken dinner over chicken nuggets. Professor Wall leads the nutrition and dietetic department at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. She's been involved in the Growing up in New Zealand longitudinal study which has followed children from birth to 11 years old. The research has provided a valuable snapshot of what Kiwi kids are consuming - including that 50 percent of nine month olds had eaten junk food.

As Aucklanders spend their first full day back in alert level 3, and the rest of the country in level 2 anxiety levels among many will be on the rise.

Psychologist Sarb Johal discusses how children are making sense of the Covid-19 pandemic and how parents are helping them, when they themselves may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure.

New research from the University of Otago shows that early bedtimes for pre-schoolers are not vital for healthy development, as long as they are getting enough sleep.

Brain researcher, parenting coach and founder of X-Factor Education, Nathan Wallis, explains how the brain develops from newborn to adult. Why do male and female brains grow differently, what hinders and promotes brain growth, and what are warning signs for parents if a child isn't developing normally?

How do you figure out what sort of career to work towards? How do you know what to study to get there? And what if you choose a course or job you don't like? Self-knowledge is the best prerequisite for figuring out a career path, says professional advisor Caroline Sandford.

Sleeping better in pregnancy - a guide to sleep health for NZ Women is the latest research from Massey University's internationally renowned Sleep/Wake Research Centre. It's a trimester-by-trimester guide to managing expectations about sleep, and a tool kit for getting a good night's rest. Sleep/Wake Associate Professor Leigh Signal and PhD student Clare Ladyman, who came up with the idea for the book, speak with Kathryn Ryan.

When a child is telling you about something that's bothering them, don't rush in with advice, says parenting consultant Joseph Driessen. It's a skill that can take some practise, but 'reflective listening' - in which you reflect back to your child what they're saying - is a better approach, he tells Lynn Freeman.

For parents of picky eaters, mealtimes can turn the kitchen table into more of a battleground.

How can parents find the delicate balance between helping a child with their homework, and overhelping - or even doing it for them! Kathryn speaks with Monash University education lecturer Melissa Barnes, who has analysed more than 400 research studies on the topic.

Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright joins Lynn to talk about question development in pre-schoolers as they try to understand the world around them.

Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mohamed Alansari with what parents can expect for their childrens' learning in modern classroom layouts.

Yvonne Godrey is a family coach and the Founder and Director of MIOMO (making it on my own) transitioning teens to adults.

Rachel Rohloff is on a mission to grow a love of science among primary school children. She's a teacher, entrepreneur and now author.

Psychologist Sarb Johal discusses anxiety that may persist as we go down the Covid alert levels. He says this may show itself in parents and children, and has tips for how to transition.

Australian child psychologist Dr Sarah Hughes has advice on raising calm, confident, well-adjusted and resilient children, as presented in her new book Parenting Made Simple. Sarah shares tips with Kathryn to help parents and caregivers with everything from kids' challenging behaviour, emotional outbursts, friendship problems, issues with confidence and anxiety, and adjusting to parents' separation.

Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright shares ideas to help develop preschoolers ability to understand and ask questions.

Best-selling Australian children's author and illustrator Matt Stanton shares tips for busting lock-down boredom blues with Kathryn Ryan. Matt is co-creator of the hit picture books 'There Is a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts' and 'This Is a Ball'. He's also the creative brain behind the 'Funny Kid' junior fiction series, the latest of which is Funny Kid Peeking Duck due to be published very soon. Meantime, Matt is hosting a daily YouTube live from his studio, for kids in isolation,with ideas for fun activities and tips for drawing monsters, which apparently are the perfect thing to draw at this time.

Parenting coach and educator Joseph Driessen shares five tips for running a harmonious household under lockdown. He says the key is getting the family to work as a team, and for parents, that might mean listening more and speaking less.

Parenting coach, author, and mum-of-two Sharlene Poole has tips for parenting toddlers during the lockdown. Her new book, Toddler Whispering, covers everything from sleeping, eating, and toilet training, to screen time and adjusting to a new baby brother or sister.

Families around the country are trying to figure out how to cope in the next month. How will teenagers and young people - whose friends and social contacts are so important - manage in isolation? How should parents of young people communicate the new rules and get buy-in? Nathan Wallis - brain researcher, parenting coach and founder of X-Factor Education.

Parenting expert Karen Boyes joins Kathryn to share some tips to help parents cope with having their kids home for the next four weeks. Her top one? You are not expected to be the Teacher. You are the Parent.

How can parents best navigate and negotiate the sexuality journey with young people? University of Canterbury Health lecturer Tracy Clelland has conducted the first local research on New Zealand parents' attitudes towards sexuality education. She says many parents find it difficult to talk about sex and sexuality, and even though they may want to, they often go about it in a way that is not conducive to good communication. She talks to Kathryn about how parents can best approach the role.

A new pilot programme running through the University of Auckland allows parents to access parenting advice via an SMS text message. 'MyTeen' is for parents of 10-15 year olds, and participants have reported feeling more competent as parents, less stressed and more connected with their adolescents. Researcher Dr Joanna Chu joins Kathryn to talk about how the pilot could be expanded, as is happy to answer listeners' questions about parenting younger teenagers. Email us at Nine to Noon, or text Nine to Noon: 2101.

Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mohamed Alansari speaks with Kathryn Ryan about what parents and educators can do to prevent children panicking about Covid19.

Psychologist Sarb Johal discusses parental burnout - on a par with occupational burnout, only there's no workplace support programme.

In his new book Miss Connection, Why Your Teenage Daughter Hates You, Expects the World and Needs to Talk father of six girls, Brisbane based psychologist Dr. Justin Coulson tells Kathryn Ryan parents need to give them time, and offer them compassion. Justin surveyed four-hundred girls for the book, finding their need for connection tops concerns about personal appearance or social media. Justin's research also reveals the lies told to parents about screen time, and boys.

American author and father Kevin Wilson revisits his obsession with spontaneous human combustion in his new novel Nothing to See Here. Here former college room-mate Madison asks Lillian to be a governess to her strangely afflicted ten year old twin step-children Bessie and Roland, who have a tendency to overheat and burst into flames, a metaphor for parenting with anxiety. Kevin has been dogged by anxiety throughout his life, and the prospect of parenthood petrified him. How could he look after a small child if he couldn't look after himself? But, as Kevin tells Kathryn Ryan becoming a dad surprised him.

As many parents know the summer school holidays seem to stretch on FOREVER. With two weeks or so of the break left to go, ideas of what to do might be thin on the ground by now. Maria Foy runs a blog called Happy Mum Happy Child and joins Lynn to talk about how parents can entertain their kids - and keep themselves sane.

Christmas and the holiday season can be a stressful time for many people. For some, it is as simple as fatigue after a busy year, while for others bigger emotional issues rise to the surface. Wellington psychologist Karen Nimmo has some coping strategies to share.

Brain researcher, educator and parenting commentator and educator Nathan Wallis talks to Kathryn about teenagers and drinking. He says the science is clear that alcohol damages the young brain, and he shares tips for parents guiding young people through these years.

Today's teens are drinking less alcohol, smoking less and having less sex than 10 or 20 years ago. Dr Jude Ball has been investigating why.

Education consultant and parenting coach Joseph Driessen talks about the parental attitudes and skills that help children cope with a separation or divorce.

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright discusses the impact on speech development in children of glue ear. Glue ear is the build up of sticky fluid in the middle ear which can cause hearing loss. It's estimated 80 per cent of children will have had one episode of glue ear by the time they're 10 years old. Thousands of children each year have surgery, where ventilation tubes or grommets are inserted.

Educator and author Lance King has worked with tens of thousands of students, both here and overseas, and has seen a lot of children who are struggling to achieve at school or are lacking in self-confidence. His book, The Importance of Failing Well, aims to provide practical information for parents wanting to support their kids through their challenges.

Recent research from the University of Otago has found moving house is linked with increases in emotional and behavioural difficulties in four-year-olds. Psychologist Sarb Johal talks to Kathryn about the impact of moving home, and how parents can help.

Education consultant and parenting coach Joseph Driessen talks about children who lack motivation and drive - what's behind this, and how can parents help them regain direction?

The number-one driver of mental illness is isolation, says parenting commentator and educator Nathan Wallis, therefore it’s especially important for children to form healthy attachments in the first three years of life. Humans are interdependent by nature, and being socially connected gives our brain the peptides and positive hormones that it needs to stay well, Wallis says.

Teaching young people how to manage money, budget and save. Auckland commerce teacher John Duston's dream is for every New Zealand teenager to be financially capable before they leave school. He's written a book - Financial Capability - which can be used as a text book, or a work book in the classroom, but it can also encourages people of all ages to think about money management. John Duston is a teacher at St Cuthbert's College in Auckland.

Youth Development lecturer Pat Bullen from the University of Auckland says all too often young people are stereotyped, stigmitised and discriminated against. Her ongoing research debunks the myth that adolescents are rude, lazy, self-entitled risk-takers who need fixing.

What is tongue tie surgery and is it needed? Wellington Speech and Language Therapist Christian Wright thinks it is being recommended in cases where it isn't needed.

With university and secondary school students heading towards end of year exams, what are some key reading tips for study success? 

Parenting commentator and educator Nathan Wallis with advice for parents worried that their kids are not making developmental milestones? When to be worried and seek help, and when to relax and let kids find their way.

Dr Mohamed Alansari speaks with Kathryn Ryan about how devices have changed the way children relate to each other at school. He says while technology is expanding children's horizons in the classroom, it has changed the dynamics of human connection, learning and teaching. A research fellow at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Education and Social Work, with a doctoral degree in educational psychology, Dr Mohamed Alansari's teaching and research focuses on classroom practices and relationships, and how they impact on how well children at primary and tertiary level socialise and learn. He's also involved in the I Have a Dream project, which looks at the impact of significant others on kids' lives. Dr Alansari is speaking at a free Raising the Bar event in Auckland next Tuesday.

John Marsden, Australian educator, principal and acclaimed author of more than 40 books for teenagers and children, talks about his new book The Art of Growing Up. 

More young people than ever before are accessing pornography, and with more frequency, according to research by the Office of Film and Literature Classification. 

Kathryn talks with Auckland writer and body positivity campaigner and educator Angela Barnett who says the number of teens manipulating their own images using smartphone apps is on the rise. The apps photos to be tweaked to achieve blemish free skin and model-like features. Angela is the founder of the website FABIK, and of the Pretty Smart talks which she delivers in schools to 11 to 15 year olds.

Education consultant and parenting coach Joseph Driessen says it's understandable when parents give in to anger, frustration and even depression when dealing with difficult children. But he says over reacting, or responding by being either authoritarian or overly permissive are not the way forward. He shares his toolkit for breaking the cycle, and starting afresh in a new way.

Helping children to reduce their screentime can be as simple as remembering what you did as a child - encouraging outdoor play. In the US, there is a growing demand for screen-free parenting coaches. Parents are hiring professionals to help come into their homes to help them wean their children from spending excessive time online staring at the screen of their tablets, phones and other devices. Here, the Ministry of Health guidelines for screen time usage is less than one hour each day for children aged 2 to 5 years. To examine some strategies for helping cut down on screentime, Gloria DeGaetano is a private coach working in the Seattle area helping families to deal with the issue.

The past nine months have been a rollercoaster of emotions and change for Ashburton parents, Jo and Deane Taylor. Last year their 13 year old son Tom, was diagnosed with stage 4 hodgkin lymphoma. In our parenting slot this morning we are focusing on the realities and practicalities of looking after a sick child, the effect it has on family dynamics, and the sorts of things that can make a tough and worrying situation a little easier to bear.

Ivana Mlinac speaks with Kathryn Ryan about helping children overcome stigma and separation anxiety when their parent is in prison. Ivana's research into parental incarceration inspired to her write children's book Stardust - we always share the same sky. It's a magical book encouraging children to explore their feelings about missing their mum or dad. In New Zealand 23,000 children have parents in prison, and are often living with financial hardship and bullying in addition to separation anxiety. Ivana describes these children as having been handed a "secondary sentence". Ivana has an MA in Criminology, and is a Research Programme Coordinator at the University of Auckland.

Every parent knows the difficulties in trying to discipline their children and the feeling it's not working properly. Clinical therapist Anna Martin's new book Listen to me! Taking the conflict out of child discipline aims to provide parents with some effective strategies that put the listening and wellbeing of children before lecturing.

There's nothing wrong with taking pride in your looks, but being confident about the things you can do is what will really make you feel positively towards yourself, says Turia Pitt. The Australian author and motivational speaker talks to Kathryn Ryan about the advice in her new book for teens Good Selfie.

Speech and Language Therapist Christian Wright with more tips and tricks for parents of five year olds with speech sound errors, such at 'tat' for cat, and 'hostible' for hospital.

Aaron Hendry has worked as a youth worker for a number of years and says fathers need to be particularly careful about the messages they give their sons. He says the "get hard" or "toughen up" message is literally killing young Kiwi men, because it's preventing them from seeking help when they're at their most vulnerable.

CEO of Spectrum Education Karen Boyes says the job of mums and dads is to ensure that kids can parent themselves by age 18 - and that one day, they leave home! She says the path towards this starts as early as two years old.

Kiwi-born teacher-turned-author of the internationally well-received I Feel Brave book series, Avril McDonald, writes 'little stories about big feelings' for four to seven year olds. Additionally Avril has devised a couple of programmes which have been taken up in schools in New Zealand, to help primary school children learn to deal with difficult emotions like anxiety, and to have empathy for others, in a bid to guard against bullying. Avril tells Kathryn Ryan about the range of tools in her arsenal, which also include videos and this song 'Nothing Like a Good Friend' which encourages children to become more empathetic.

A new survey of 1200 parents around the country finds three quarters are worried they don't spent enough time with their children. Parenting commentator, researcher and educator Nathan Wallis talks to Kathryn about this and other insights from the survey which asked parents about everything from sleep, diet, and digital devices to how much they spend on birthday parties.

Susan Sawyer is a Professor of Adolescent Health at the University of Melbourne and a practising paediatrician. She talks to Kathryn about whether the age range for adolescence is too narrowly defined. She believes adolescence should be up to 24 years old .Throughout the world, youth and health agencies differ on the the age group that qualifies as adolescence.

Education and parenting consultant Joseph Driessen talks to Kathryn about how to parent children who struggle with underdeveloped executive skills, and who find living an organised life extremely demanding.

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright discuss the top five speech sound errors in five-year-olds and tips and tricks to fix them.

Can screen time for kids really be quality time ? Yes! says Jordan Shapiro the author of "The New Childhood: Raising Kids To Thrive In A Connected World".

Psychologist and disaster mental health expert Sarb Johal discusses the likely lasting impacts of the Christchurch terror attacks on children and adolescents. How do children and young people who may have viewed the video of the attack process that? What might parents see and why do children sometimes keep their reactions hidden?

Nathan Wallis talks with Kathryn about how parents and caregivers can help children cope with the horror of the Christchurch mosque shootings. He says there are simple things to help children move from victimisation feelings linked to trauma, to positive action mode.

Children do best with at least three hours active play every day, according to occupational therapist Angela Hanscom, and the many of today's kids who don't get that are weaker and less able to concentrate than previous generations.

Opening up children's minds to the philosophical questions we usually put aside in everyday life can help them learn better, concentrate longer, develop social skills and even minimise bullying, says "community philosopher" Dr Vanya Kovach.

CEO of Spectrum Education Karen Tui Boyes on how best to develop your child as a thinker by modelling your own behaviour.

The struggles of children who haven't yet developed 'executive skills' – and therefore are prone to being impulsive, chaotic, forgetful and inattentive – can exasperate parents and lead to dysfunction in a family. People need to identify this lack for what it is – a kind of developmental disability that needs some special attention, according to a parenting consultant.

What goes on in the anxious mind ? There's been a lot of talk lately about young people feeling overwhelmed, anxious and confused. So what's the best way of getting these feelings under control? Gwendoline Smith, a clinical psychologist and mental health expert, is especially well versed on dealing with youth anxiety. Her latest book on the topic is called The Book of Knowing. She also works closely with the University of Auckland's Faculty of Education to provide guidance to school counsellors and speaks regularly to schools, teachers and counsellors about youth anxiety.

UK psychotherapist Bob Withers has been in practice for more than 30 years.Late last year an opinion piece he wrote for a British newspaper attracted considerable attention. The headline was - In 20 years we'll look back on the rush to change our children's sex as one of the darkest chapters in medicine. The reaction was swift, support from many quarters, hostility from others. Bob Withers tells Kathryn why he wrote the article.

Want to be a happier parent? KJ Dell'Antonia is the former lead editor of the New York Times Motherlode blog, who over the years has asked and answered plenty of questions about parenting. She says the one she was most intrigued by was 'why isn't it any fun?' She has advice for looking after kids as they grow into their tweens and teens.

The summer heat has impacting sleep patterns recently, and with parents trying to get their children back into regular bedtimes compatible with the school year, we're looking at some solutions. Sleep researcher and child psychologist Sarah Blunden says sleep is one of the most challenging issues parents face - from unsettled babies, toddlers changing sleep patterns - and then there are the teenage years and young lives dominated by screen use. Dr Blunden is the founder of the Australian Centre for Education in Sleep, and also directs the Paediatric Sleep Clinic based in Adelaide.

The summer holidays are a time when the family is spending more time together, so how best to have some of those tricky conversations with your teenager. Collett Smart is a psychologist, teacher and parent of three children. She has been working with teenagers for about 20 years and thinks they are brilliant. In her new book, "They'll be Okay: 15 Conversations to Help Your Child Through Troubled Times." she has some tips and tricks to help parents navigate their way positively through the teenage years.

Auckland couple Peter and Sandra Altman have been involved in the Toughlove organisation for 25 years, focussing on providing ongoing support for parents and teenagers going through difficult times. They have a checklist to run through to help parents and teens navigate a harmonious Christmas period and the long summer ahead. And the Altmans say if you're at the end of your tether through unacceptable teen behaviour, give TOUGHLOVE a call (on 0800 868 445).

Psychologist Sarb Johal talks with Kathryn about when kids have to move home. It can be for a variety of reasons, and stability is the ideal for better outcomes. How does it affect the relationship between parents and children, and what support do kids need to make relationships when they change school as well as maintaining old friendships?

Educator Joseph Driessen on how to get your children to do the right thing with a 5 step method. This will help the family who has a child who always keeps everyone waiting because they are disorganised, or the whanau trying to convince their teenage to do some homework.

One working mother's tips on where to cut corners. Learn to live with chaos is advice Australian journalist, Wendy Tuohy wishes she had believed! The Melbourne mother-of-three and editor of Fairfax's Daily Life has recently written a piece on what she has learned during her 14 years as a working mum, juggling job demands, home-life and children's after school activities.

Once your baby's on the move, the easiest way to identify potential hazards around the house is to do a video tour with your phone held at knee height, says Nicola Woollaston, author of the new book Nurturing Your Baby’s Potential. Nicola Woollaston is a mother of four, trained early childhood educator and the team leader of Starship Hospital's play specialists. She tells Kathryn Ryan she meets many people who have had little contact with babies when they become parents themselves and her book offers some advice.

How much sleep do teenagers really need and why do they feel the urge to stay up so late? Teenagers need more sleep than adults and their circadian rhythms are actually different, says parenting expert Nathan Wallis. On average, a teenager's body clock moves forward around two hours so, effectively, we can think of Kiwi teens as operating on Sydney time – "they're two to three hours out from the rest of us." He gives parents some tips.

Currently, 6,000 New Zealand kids are getting homeschooled, not including those enrolled at the correspondence school Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu. Educating a child at home can allow a parent to "light a fire in their hearts and minds" without pressure or competition, says Siobhan Porter, who has homeschooled all five of her kids. Siobhan is the director of Auckland Home Educators – a support and advocacy group for homeschoolers. She and education consultant Natalie Donaldson – who has also homeschooled five kids  – talk to Kathryn Ryan about their experience.

Educationalist, Frances Adlam with tips for parents on how to help their children love reading and writing. Her book Raise Your Child to Read and Write - aims to give caregivers strategies to engage pre-schoolers and primary school entrants to get a good start to a lifetime of reading. Simple things help, including thinking about how your talk to children and encouraging them to scribble, draw and paint, these are all building blocks which lead to writing.

Having a child who turns their nose up at a variety of foods, which often includes fruit and vegetables, can be a huge stress for parents trying to give their child a balanced diet. How can you tell whether it's a fussy eating phase or a restricted eating problem? And if it persists how and where do you seek help? We get some advice from Massey University nutrition lecturer Dr Cathryn Conlon and Massey University speech and language clinician Emily Jones, who runs the ACTIVEating Clinic which treats children with restrictive eating.

School holidays are almost half way through, and some parents may be scratching their heads as to what to do. Let the kids watch as much Youtube as they want? Make them get outside and play? Or - shock horror - get them to do some jobs around the house? Teacher, author, public speaker and CEO of Spectrum Education Karen Boyes has some ideas for fun family challenges.

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright talks about the importance of play in pre-school language development and shares five effective strategies to support this.

Body image, anxiety, self-harm, social media, homework, partying, curfews, respect… It's not easy being a teenage girl and it's not easy parenting a teenage girl. Child psychologist Sarah Hughes – who has worked with hundreds of teenage girls and their families – shares some advice from her new book Skip the Drama.

Kiwi mother Emma Gilkison has written a memoir about the devastating discovery at a routine twelve week scan that her unborn baby had a fatal condition. His heart was growing outside his body due to an extremely rare condition called ectopia cordis. Emma and her partner Roy were faced with two heartbreaking options: end the pregnancy or continue in the knowledge their baby would die. Former Sunday Star Times and Dominion Post journalist Emma Gilkison tells Kathryn Ryan why her book The Heart of Jesus Valentino, named for their baby boy, is ultimately a hopeful one.

Parents need to focus less on enforcing rules and more on developing their kids' independence if they want to help them handle real-world pressures, says family coach and author Yvonne Godfrey. 

Julie Chapman founded KidsCan 13 years ago, which runs a health hygiene programme in 732 primary schools nationwide. Head lice treatment is top of their list. They've sent out 25,000 bottles of head lice treatment this year, and recently ran a nit busters campaign. Julie talks to Kathryn Ryan about how best to get rid of nits.

Over the last 100 years there's been much fascination about whether a person's birth order among siblings has a lasting impact on their life course. Does it influence personality? Does it influence intelligence? What about other aspects of our lives? Psychologist Sarb Johal joins Lynn with research on birth order.

New children's book My Storee is full of spelling errors, with author Paul Russell - himself dyslexic - aiming to show children, parents and teachers alike that writing need not get in the way of creativity.

So now you've hit the turbulent teens - what to do ? They're attracted to risk, increasingly distracted, and less and less attached to adults. Many conventional forms of parenting rely on tools such rewards and consequences and while these strategies work quite well with most young adults, they are least likely to work with the ones who have the most behavioural needs. Adrienne Wood, an ex high school teacher and lecturer in human development, who works with parents of adolescents and pre-teens experiencing significant behavioural issues. She talks to Nine to Noon about using the attachment-based developmental theory of Canadian psychologist Gordon Neufeld. Upcoming Teen Turbulence events: August 17th: Teen Turbulence Wellsford August 18th: Teen Turbulence Mangawhai September 3rd: Teen Turbulence Christchurch

Parents are getting aggressive with teachers when their child has a problem at school – and both the number of incidents and the level of vitriol is on the rise, says John Collier, the head of St Andrew's Cathedral School in Sydney.

Educator Joseph Driessen talks to Kathryn about growing independent children who have a strong sense of social responsibility.

Cyber-safety expert Susan McLean is a specialist in those online safety discussions you should be having with your children. She has advice for parents about how to help young people establish good online habits, identify good apps and bad apps, know what not to share, as well as deal with cyber bullying and internet harassment.

Sleep is essential for children, but each child is different and the key for parents is to be responsive while also looking after themselves, researcher and commentator Nathan Mikaere Wallis says.

What's it like becoming a parent when you are a top researcher in child development ? Dr Annette Henderson joins Nine to Noon to talk about her experiences of becoming a first time Mum and seeing for herself how the practice aligned with the theory (or not!). She discusses infant development and has some practical advice related to early childhood parenting. Dr Annette Henderson is a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland and an expert in early childhood development with a specific focus on social and cognitive development 0 - 6 years of age.

Children who sacrifice their own emotional needs to support a parent can end up struggling with identity and intimacy as adults, says psychologist Sarb Johal.

How a child feels in their very first months of school can set the tone for their academic and social future, says speech and language therapist Christian Wright. He gives tips on preparing them for their first day.

Noa Woolloff talks to Kathryn about being a young dad, and his mission to break down stereotypes of teenage parents. Noa was 16 when he found out he was going to be a father, and 17 when Kayla was born. Since then he's founded a social enterprise to help other teen parents, and has spoken to schools around the country about his journey.

Margaret Brooker has republished an updated version of her popular 2010 cookbook The Kids Turn to Cook. She talks about why cooking is an important life skill for kids to learn and shares easy recipes for cupcakes and Bircher muesli.

Term two is a busy time especially for NCEA students - with internal assessments coming thick and fast. Add to that sports commitments, maybe a part time job, social activity and it's easy to see how some teens might be struggling to keep it all together. Teacher, author, public speaker and CEO of Spectrum Education Karen Boyes has tips for teens feeling the pressure.

Starting daycare can be a daunting and emotional time for children, and their parents. How can you prepare yourself and your child? How much crying is normal? Early childcare education teacher Heather McRobbie talks us through the settling process and answers common questions.

Research indicates between a third and half of 12-18 year-olds have intentionally harmed themselves at least once. Professor of Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington, Marc Wilson, is one of our country's top researchers on self-harming. He is leader of the Youth Wellbeing Study Team, and is building a stock of resources for when a parent discovers their child is hurting themselves on purpose.

How to focus on your child's strengths rather than trying to fix their weaknesses. This approach is championed by Australian psychologist Professor Lea Waters who joins Kathryn to talk about why parents have a natural temptation to correct weaknesses rather than building on strengths.

When a child's behaviour is persistently difficult, parenting faults often set in and just keep rolling out, says educator Joseph Driessen. He looks at the top ten and suggests what people can do differently.

Too many Kiwi teenagers are falling into debt traps, says Kelly Gay from the Commission for Financial Capability. He's part of the team now developing a school-based education programme on money management, and in the meantime has some quick tips.

Parents looking for early childcare sometimes have a lot to consider. Early childhood educator Dr Sue Cherrington has tips for finding the right fit for your family.

No-one became successful by being afraid to make mistakes, says Matthew Syed. The British journalist and former Olympic table tennis champion has written a new book for kids –  You Are Awesome.

Language development in pre-schoolers is a remarkable process, from three months old, when babies first produce vowel sounds, to the five year old off to school with a vocabulary of over two thousand words. Speech and language therapist Christian Wright discusses speech sound development in pre-schoolers, and what parents should look out for.

Psychologist Sarb Johal talks about getting children to do jobs around the house, and whether they should be linked to pocket money.

Chair of the Board of Trustees at Kowhai Intermediate School in Auckland, Wade Gillooly tells Lynn Freeman about attempts to put a stop to cyber bullying at school by banning social media at home. How much authority can a school expect to have out of hours?

Teenagers are always going to make silly decisions, but there are things parents can do to help minimise the risks, says Dr James McCue, lecturer in Psychology and Criminology at Edith Cowan University in Perth.

How do teenagers navigate the messages bombarding them everyday about what they should look like? Marketing images encouraging them to be thinner, tanned, sophisticated, blemish free and sexy. Angela Barnett is an Auckland writer and founder of the body positivity website Fabik. She's developed a talk called Pretty Smart, which she's taking into schools, talking to teens about how the industry works, and how to spot what's real and what's not. [image_crop:53470:full] no metadata

There’s no rush to learn to write and it shouldn’t be formally taught until the age of seven, says educator, researcher and parenting commentator, Nathan Mikaere-Wallis.

Former Families Commissioner and psychologist Dr Jan Pryor talks about losing her baby son, Alexander. He was four months old when he died - 37 years ago. She speaks to Kathryn Ryan about the impact of the devastating loss on her family and about the memoir she's written, partly to help other families, called After Alexander.

Conflict between siblings is normal and can even be helpful, according to author and psychological researcher Naomi White. 

Children need limits and should not be top dog in the family, education consultant Joseph Driessen says. He gives practical tips for working with your child to break a cycle of disobedience.

Are you a grown-up? Your relationships are the laboratory in which to find out, mental health counsellor Jenny Brown says.

One of the most effective treatments for 2-to-7-year-olds prone to frequent high-level meltdowns involves teaching parents to rewire the relationship via play therapy, says the woman known as the Toddler Whisperer.

Education consultant Nathan Mikaere-Wallis discusses New Zealand's high youth suicide rate and what parents can do to minimise risk.

Children who react with escalating anger to discipline practices which are usually effective for other kids are having a hardwired fear-based response which is beyond their control, says education consultant Joseph Driessen.

Any IT retailer will help you buy parental control software, but the best firewalls are family values and a strong sense of self-worth, cybersecurity expert John Parsons says. 

Employers say many of today's graduates are low on innovation, creativity, and interpersonal skills. What can parents do to encourage children to think for themselves? Explore, debate, play and don't focus on academic performance too early, says parenting consultant Nathan Mikaere-Wallis.

When your baby is around six months old, begin to offer them a combination of finger food and homemade purees, says Dr Julie Bhosale, author of The Nourished Baby.

Human rights lawyer Anne Tonner has written an award-winning book about her daughter Chloe's battle with anorexia. Anne talks about Chloe's journey back to health and how the illness affected her family.

Children with an actively involved father are better set up for the future in every respect so it's time families, communities and society at large did more to support men becoming such fathers, says education consultant Joseph Driessen.

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright discusses how children acquire two languages, and strategies to support bi-lingualism.

Psychologist Sarb Johal talks with Kathryn about what relationships with animals add to a child's life and development, as well as their family's.

Parent educator and mentor Mary Willow talks to Kathryn about the need for children to have downtime. She says children are born with the unstoppable urge to 'go get the world', but that comes with a need to rest and digest.

Ben Awa is on a mission to get dads into what he calls 'conscious parenting'. At Plunket's Improve for Change group in Wainuiomata, dads are working on themselves in order to strengthen relationships with tamariki and whanau.

Children should be studying at home, and the way to get them into it is to create a family culture of learning, says education consultant Joseph Driessen.

Kathryn Ryan talks with LGBTI youth sector counsellor Tommy Hamilton about how to support teenagers who are questioning their gender identity.

With a practical ethos for parents with busy schedules, Kate Meads aka The Nappy Lady, has partnered with 40 councils to run workshops where she speaks about reducing waste and saving money.

Educator, researcher and parenting commentator Nathan Mikaere-Wallis of X Factor Education talks about the international research on what works in schools, and discusses how consistent New Zealand is with this research.

Mental skills trainer and counsellor John Quinn tells Kathryn Ryan how he's focussing on equipping teenagers to cope with stress and pressure.

Psychologist Sarb Johal talks with Kathryn about encouraging and cultivating empathy in children.

Renowned Australian psychologist, parent educator and writer Steve Biddulph who says girlhood has become more lonely, pressured and unkind. At the same time, he says adults are less available to support their daughters through. He talks to Kathryn Ryan about his new book 10 Things Girls Need Most.

Kathryn Ryan talks with the author of the award winning novel, Wonder, RJ Palacio, about writing for children about others who are different. In her latest book, We're All Wonders, she introduces younger readers to her now famous character, Auggie Pullman, a boy who was born with a facial deformity.

As a mother of six and grandmother of 17, Robyn Pearce knows a few things about time management. She talks to Kathryn Ryan about her latest book Getting a grip on parenting time.

How well are we teaching high school students about consent? Russell Smith talks to Lynn Freeman about Mates and Dates - the high school programme he helped found which aims to tackle attitudes towards relationships, consent and sex. He also suggests ways parents might be able to help their children with issues around consent.

Pregnant at 15, Amber Woods talks with Kathryn Ryan about her journey as a young mum, whilst completing school, and heading off to University. She's part way through an arts degree in sociology and anthropology.

Spinoff Parents Editor Emily Writes has two small boys, both non-sleepers. Her new book 'Rants in the Dark: From One Tired Mother to Another' offers often humourous consolation for other sleep-deprived parents. She says the main reason she keeps writing is because of the huge amount of feedback she gets from other parents of children who won't sleep. She also talks about her experience of antenatal depression.

Kelly Mouat from the children's programme TimberNook talks about the benefits of adventurous outdoor learning.

With a plethora of advice available to desperate parents on how to get babies to sleep, baby sleep consultants Elspeth Witton and Amy Sherpa want to see the sector regulated.

Pre and post-natal depression is commonly associated with Mums, which means Dads tend to occupy a more invisable space. New research from Auckland University's Centre for Longitudinal Research on more than 3,500 New Zealand men shows fathers-to-be are also at an increased risk of suffering from depression. Kathryn Ryan talks to the study director, Dr Susan Morton.

James Portnow is a video game developer and writer for the Extra Credits YouTube series about the role of games in society. Nine to Noon interveiwed him previously about the role of games in society and his own personal struggle with video game addiction and have invited him back on the show to talk about how parents should deal with computer games - especially if they aren't gamers themselves.

Pushing 3 to 7 year olds towards early reading, writing or maths will not improve their long-term chances of success, says educator, researcher and parenting commentator Nathan Mikaere-Wallis of X-Factor Education. He says it's far more important to foster positive social and emotional skills.