Feature Stories

Many teenagers spend a lot of time being sedentary (sitting or lying down) at school or work, when travelling and during their free time. Modern conveniences such as smart phones, computers and food delivered to your front door encourage sedentary behaviour. But this lack of physical activity can have negative consequences for your physical and more info

Alessandro Demaio addressed the National Press Club today, alongside Karen Carey (former chair of the Consumers Health Forum) and Stephen Duckett (head of the Health Program at the Grattan Institute), to outline the key health issues ahead of the 2019 federal election. This is an edited transcript of Alessandro Demaio’s speech. The year is 1980, more info

If your New Year resolution was to make a real difference in the world why not consider becoming a foster parent and you could make the world of difference to a child in need. The statistics around child protection are startling – every day in Australia there are some 186 substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect more info

According to a 2018 report by Digital Australia, 97% of Australian households with children have at least one device for playing video games. More than 60% of households have five or more devices. Since the early 2000s, the boom in mobile technology has seen the spread of video games from desktop PCs to the pockets of young people everywhere. more info

While childbirth is often a joyful event, it rarely unfolds exactly how we think it will. This causes disappointment or distress among some women, and leaves a small proportion with a diagnosis of postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PPTSD). A negative birth means mothers are more likely to be depressed. This can alter the way they engage with more info

Reading to your child is one of the most successful ways of instilling a love of reading in them. But in our recent study, more than one-quarter of primary-school-aged respondents claimed they were never read to at home. Children typically enjoy being read to, and see educational, social and emotional benefits to the practice. But more info

1. DVCS charges for their services – FALSE DVCS services are free of charge and we do not means test clients. We will provide each person, regardless of their financial situation, with the same level of support. DVCS acknowledges some people will have access to little financial resources and others will have access to a more info

While we often hear about the negative impact social media has on children, the use of sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is not a one-size-fits-all activity. Children use it in a wide variety of ways – some of which are adding value to their lives. There are risks associated with social media use. But more info

When sharing photos of your children, please keep in mind the possible risks that could arise from doing this. Below is a list for you to refer to. Please remember to have your privacy settings on high and remember who you are willing to let view your photos before accepting friend requests. 1. Digital Kidnapping more info

There are many brands of kids’ “gummies” on the market. They are promoted as deliciously flavoured and a great way for growing bodies (and fussy eaters) to get the nutrients they need. The “active” ingredients are usually listed as vitamins, minerals and sometimes omega-3 fats and vegetable powders. They may say “contains sugars” or they more info

In Australia approximately one student in five is bullied at school every few weeks or more often. Many of these students suffer serious emotional and psychological harm, such as persistent anxiety, depression and suicidal thinking, and are unable to concentrate on their school work. It is clear they need help. Teachers routinely inform students that more info

There is a common perception that children are more likely to read if it is on a device such as an iPad or Kindles. But new research shows that this is not necessarily the case. In a study of children in Year 4 and 6, those who had regular access to devices with eReading capability more info

In an Australian study published today, we show that if the government were to combine taxes and subsidies on a range of foods and beverages, it could substantially improve the health of Australians and potentially free up billions in health care spending. In the past five years, no fewer than 13 countries have announced new more info

There is no doubt that digital technologies have disrupted our modes of teaching. The resources and inputs into teaching have changed to incorporate computer-aided approaches such as “flipped” classrooms, mobile-phone-enabled interactions, video capturing of lectures and enhanced mixed realities. The old “sage on the stage” model of teaching has been pushed into becoming the “guide more info

Do you feel like your mind freezes during exams? Do you find yourself thinking “I really can’t do this”? Does your heart race fast or do you find it hard to breathe during exams? Most people feel anxious when taking an exam, but research shows that some people are more likely to suffer from exam more info

Any dog owner will tell you that we can use a food reward as a motivation to change a dog’s behaviour. But humans are just as susceptible to rewards too. When we get a reward, special pathways in our brain become activated. Not only does this feel good, but the activation also leads us to more info

Developmental dysplasia of the hip, sometimes termed congenital dysplasia or dislocation of the hip, is a chronic condition present from early childhood which can cause permanent disability if not identified and treated early. Hip dysplasia affects up to 10 people in every 1,000, and is characterised by underdevelopment of the hip bones (dysplasia). This may more info

Bed-wetting is surprisingly common in older children and young adults. Lack of public awareness and stigma associated with bed-wetting means few seek professional help despite successful treatments being available. Bed-wetting (enuresis) is a sleep problem. It occurs when individuals are unable to wake to urinate when the bladder is full. Three main factors affect bed-wetting: more info

Misty Adoniou, University of Canberra When my son was nine years old, he put aside the large Harry Potter novel he had been slowly, but enthusiastically, reading each evening and instead began ploughing through lots of fairly uninspiring books that he brought home from school each day. It turned out the Year 4 teachers had more info

Drawing plays a big role in our cognitive development. It can help us learn to write and think creatively, develop hand-eye co-ordination, hone analytic skills, and conceptualise ideas. But drawing is rarely used as a tool for learning in schools. Generally, most high school teachers aren’t trained in visual education. Drawing is not something that more info

Many parents worry about when is the right time for their child to start school. While some use their child’s individual characteristics to judge school readiness, others have philosophical beliefs that lead them to delay their child’s school entry. In Australia, a child is considered to be ready for formal schooling around the age of more info

Joanne Orlando, Researcher: Technology and Learning, Western Sydney University One of the most frustrating issues modern parents face is how to manage children’s screen time. Official guidelines say kids aged five to 18 years should spend no more than two hours a day using screens, and children under two years should not use a screen at more info

Kate Seear, Monash University This article is part of our series examining hidden women’s conditions. You can read about chronic thrush, pelvic inflammatory disease and other pieces in the series here. Lena Dunham, creator and star of the television series Girls, yesterday announced she was taking a break from promoting the new season for health more info

Interior Design for Everyone Does your home needs a lift but don’t know where to start? The ideal introduction for anyone building, renovating or decorating their home this practical course will teach you how to be more creative within your home. Course Outline: Wk 1 Style – developing your personal style Wk 2 Exterior and more info

Rebecca English, Queensland University of Technology As the new school year begins, teachers and parents are pondering how to work together to help children get the most from schooling. Last year, Victoria’s Department of Education and Training announced that escalating disputes between parents and school teachers and principals would lead to independent mediation. Mediation seems extreme, more info

Merryn McKinnon, Australian National University Australia as a nation is failing to retain the best people in the teaching profession. Attrition rates are worryingly high with researchers estimating around 30% to 50% of teachers leaving in the first five years. It is difficult to get a clear idea of the precise number of teachers leaving more info

One in three women will experience significant depressive symptoms in the first five years after giving birth. But new research has found if mothers regularly take time for themselves in the first six months after giving birth they’re less likely to get postnatal depression. In the early months after giving birth, women’s physical health, intimate more info

The recent attacks in Paris are the latest in a long list of events whose blanket coverage on TV has had a strong influence on the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of many children. Footage of wars, bombings, shootings, floods and bushfires can traumatise children, leading to sleep disturbances and anxieties in normally non-threatening situations, including more info

As parents know all too well, children love to re-read their favourite books over and over again. While this may feel painfully repetitive to adults, there is something in the text that is bringing children back time after time. Children benefit greatly from re-reading as they learn the rhyming or predictable pattern of the text more info

Submerging your baby the right way With the weather warming up and more and more parents venturing to the pool to cool off and have a bit of fun with their little ones we thought it would be a good time to go over the technical side of submerging children under the age of three. more info