![Eight-year-old James is recovering in hospital after attempting to recreate the dangerous YouTube "fire bending" stunt.](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/z/q/p/6/image.related.landscape.380x253.gtzonf.png/1485475843567.png)
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![When a child feels secure, loved and connected to their main caregivers, this is the foundation of most aspects of a ...](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/r/8/r/a/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2r8qv.gjzpy4.png/1446422109725.jpg)
How to parent the sensitive child
Does your child worry about the simplest of things? Does he or she get upset easily? Do they seem to have empathy beyond their young years? Chances are you have a sensitive little soul on your hands.
![laughing](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/a/4/h/x/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2a4go.gjzpy4.png/1444090958408.jpg)
Kimberley O'Brien
Positive advice for kids
Kimberley O'Brien tells you how you can help kids rule out the negatives life throws at them and find the positive influences they need to function better each day.
![index](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/o/w/1/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.1w0p3.gjzpy4.png/1444090958408.jpg)
Justine Davies
How to engage bored kids in play
![DNU-smh-bullyproof-90x60](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/a/c/3/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.1abz7.gjzpy4.png/1444090958408.jpg)
![<i></i>](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/t/c/z/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.1mcgjz.gjzpy4.png/1444090958408.jpg)
![Giving children freedom to find their way ...](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/n/8/f/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.2n8ew.gjzpy4.png/1444090958408.jpg)
Latest
![My daughter's sparsely furnished little virtual store had transformed into a megamall.](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/4/p/k/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt4pgw.png/1481015238797.jpg)
How my 5-year-old racked up a $720 iTunes bill - in one day
Every now and then, my spend is a little higher than I'd remembered – a song here, an app there. But this was on another level.
![Research suggests that from the age of six young girls may be recognising sexualisation through advertisements, ...](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/0/h/u/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt04tk.png/1480556486307.jpg)
Increased sexualisation ‘a problem for young children everywhere’
The introduction of media smart classes from the age of eight is necessary to combat the increased sexualisation of young women, says a Curtin University researcher.
![Monkey see, monkey do!](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/0/v/9/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt0w1z.png/1480481020001.jpg)
Oops! When you're accidentally a bad role model for your kids
If you've ever thought that the saying 'monkey see, monkey do' is highly applicable to children, then you'd be right.
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Why kids 'fidget' - and how to help reduce it
Bethany Lambert had a problem.
![Not all children love the water.](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/3/s/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsyznt.png/1480358455812.jpg)
When it feels like your child will never learn to swim
"Is that your son?" a dad at my eight-year-old's swimming lessons asks, pointing. I nod. "He's a really good swimmer." To me, the compliment is akin to winning gold.
!["Ever since I was a little kid, I've been intimidated by kids... I have a dark, desperate dread that they're still ...](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/w/x/5/d/image.related.landscape.300x200.gswwz6.png/1480286386914.jpg)
I'm fine with looking after my own kids, it's other kids that terrify me
If you make a mistake, a furious parent will come down upon you like a wolf on the fold.
![Taryn Brumfitt](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/j/t/x/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsvilo.png/1479929369737.jpg)
The question from my seven-year-old daughter that shook me
The behaviour we ignore is behaviour we accept
![The end of Term Four can drag for kids and parents alike.](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/v/o/i/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsus62.png/1479871237038.jpg)
What to do when end of year parenting burnout hits
"Everything's going wrong," my daughter sobbed on my shoulder.
![Eldest children need time to be kids too.](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/u/q/g/t/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsuqj8.png/1479779562220.jpg)
Why it's important to remember your first born is still a child too
Why it's important to remember that your eldest child is still a child too
![Parents are asked to take a more nuanced approach and keep check of what their child does on a tablet, computer, TV or ...](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/t/w/k/z/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsh5le.png/1479762844071.jpg)
Don't stress about screen time for children
When it comes to how much time children spend on a device it's all about quality not quantity.
![We should support them and coach from the sidelines.](/web/20170218102014im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/d/6/9/l/image.related.landscape.300x200.gssqeg.png/1479675026026.jpg)
How to help our children fight their friendship battles
It's tempting to get involved and approach the other children's parents, but we should resist. Try these ideas instead.
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