Education & play

Education & play

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CHILD WITH SMARTPHONE

Child-proof your phone

Before you hand your smartphone over to entertain a bored child, consider locking it down so they can't get up to mischief.

The first day at daycare

My daughter didn't have any problems adapting to daycare, but I did.

The expense of fun

As a single mum I can't afford to enrol my kids in all the activities I want them to do, but does that mean they're missing out?

Living with a superhero

Anna 2.0

My son has been Batman for a week now. He has a new costume, which has only come off for showers.

Why kids love Elmo

He might be a red-faced Muppet, but Elmo teaches kids a thing or two.

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Kindy

Breaking the gender barrier

On a scale of All Black to astronaut, "kindergarten teacher" is unlikely to make the cut on most Kiwi boys' dream career wishlists.

missk - blog use only

The great TV debate

My wife and I are mostly on the same page when it comes to child-rearing, but our differing views on TV has been a source of minor conflict.

pool

Swimming pool tummy bug warning

A warning has been issued about public pools after a spike in cryptosporidium cases.

mum and daughter

Lessons to be passed on

Have you thought about what life lessons you want to pass on? These are the lessons I want my own children to take hold of.

BIG HORIZONS: Little School founder Maria Johnson has now taken the childhood education brand to China, where a school will be open by August, and is eyeing the Middle East.

Pre-school spreads to China

Mother of four Maria Johnson's early childhood education brand Little School, which she started in Wellington 10 years ago, is about to launch in China.

mum and kid watching tv

Kids and TV

Do you think any TV is too much, or are you happy to let your kids watch a bit of television - or even a lot of television?

Toy gun

Toy guns 'may be fatal'

Someone could be killed if people continue being reckless with toy guns, police warn.

Lottie

Doll made by body image experts

Lottie, a wholesome girl-next-door doll, has been modelled on the average nine-year old girl's body shape rather than Barbie's unrealistic curves.

plastic cubby house

Play it safe in the backyard

If you are considering building a cubby for the kids over Christmas, or rigging up some backyard play equipment, there are some basic rules to follow to make sure it is safe.

Brenda Bushell

Arson at full playcentre

Teachers horrified someone tried to set building alight with 18 children inside.

kate middleton

'Princess' is not a career

US Supreme Court Justice shares awesome career advice on Sesame Street.

toddler playing

Play and learn

Playing is how children learn best. Whether it's peek-a-boo, pretend phone or full-on imaginative hut building, it's all helping brain pathways develop and grow stronger.

Holding hands

Stranger danger

No parent wants to scare their child, or shatter their sense of security but it is important that your kids know how to protect themselves if they are in an uncomfortable situation.

Kuini Puketapu

Kohanga reo wants help

The kohanga reo movement is run "on the sniff of an oily rag", Maori Language Commission boss Glenis Philip-Barbara says.

te reo

Crown 'failed kohanga'

The Kohanga Reo Trust Board says its resistance to decades of attempted mainstreaming by the Education Ministry has been vindicated in a historic report.

Monkey bars

The attack of the monkey bars

I didn't expect to be one of those parents who has opinions about playground equipment. That was before the monkey bars attacked.

Toddlers and tiaras

Baby you're a star

Do you think you might have the next Drew Barrymore on your hands? Or are you worried you might come across as a pushy Toddlers and Tiaras-type mum?

Eagle Dad

China's demanding dad rescued

"Eagle Dad" and sons rescued from a mountain they tried to climb out of season and with no gear.

tv

TV bad for under-threes

Children under three should be kept away from television altogether, experts claim.

Nga Teariki with children Skye, 4, and Saul, 3.

Call to lower school age

Children could be packing their bags to start primary school a year earlier under a new proposal.

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