![Illustration: Andrew Dyson.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/q/7/t/r/image.related.landscape.380x253.gwpllb.png/1497494550012.jpg)
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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 ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/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](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/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](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/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
![The nature of bullying has changed with the rise of technology.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/a/c/3/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.1abz7.gjzpy4.png/1444625087344.jpg)
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![Giving children freedom to find their way ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/n/8/f/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.2n8ew.gjzpy4.png/1444090958408.jpg)
Latest
![Children with 'social dyslexia' have difficulty interpreting and understanding social cues.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/8/q/v/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.gr8quu.png/1473034727866.jpg)
Shy children could have social dyslexia
A new type of dyslexia is emerging and while it is a still bit of an enigma to many experts, a greater understanding of it could make a huge difference to thousands of kids around the world.
![Preparing children for encountering pornography online.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/0/l/t/u/image.related.landscape.300x200.gr0lf5.png/1472081842514.jpg)
The messages accidental porn viewing gives a young child
Most young children who view sexual images or sexual activity online come across it by accident.
Parenting (and shaming) teens in the age of social media
Parenting teenagers in the age of social media may be the hardest feat modern parents have to accomplish.
![Helping children grow up to be happy, healthy, strong, kind and capable.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/y/9/1/5/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqy36t.png/1471841535549.jpg)
Raising awesome teens in a chaotic, sexualised world
The story in the media this past week about the appalling behaviour of boys tracking down naked photos of girls in their schools and communities through an international website is sending shockwaves through many homes and schools.
![Why are we blaming technology for all our woes?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/6/x/d/9/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqvka4.png/1472385657927.jpg)
Time for the hard conversations
As parents we owe it to our children to talk about the latest pornography scandal.
![Are your expectations helping or hindering your child's growth and development?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/u/h/m/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.gquh9t.png/1471400836003.jpg)
Are your expectations of your kids a help or hindrance?
Having clear expectations that are positive and optimistic is important but they also need to be age appropriate.
![<i></i>](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/p/4/6/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqp30m.png/1470794671515.jpg)
Yes, your kids can and should pack their own lunches
Here is how to let go of the reigns and equip kids to take on the responsibility of making their own lunch.
![Silence is not golden, says Australian Childhood Foundation chief executive Joe Tucci.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/v/p/s/2/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqgwvu.png/1470004483029.jpg)
What to do if you suspect child abuse
When your instincts tell you something is wrong this is how to respond.
![Two kids, night and day.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/e/h/s/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqefgc.png/1469573374607.jpg)
Why siblings behave so differently when raised the same way
We have two sons, almost exactly three years apart. The oldest was a dream child in almost every way, but his little brother is pretty much the exact opposite. Why are they so different?
![They give their children their full attention.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/a/b/o/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqaafl.png/1469058104437.jpg)
5 ways to raise the bar while raising your kids
Effective parents are not measured by any of the cultural standards that we seem to be working toward these days. They come from all walks of life and have followed many paths to parenthood.
![We must do our best to prepare our kids for the worst of humanity, even though our best feels insufficient.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170702215118im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/7/u/7/4/image.related.landscape.300x200.gq7tvs.png/1468798837617.jpg)
Knowing two convicted child sex offenders won't force me to parent by fear
On two occasions, I've worked with men who were later convicted of child sexual abuse offences. One of them shocked me; the other didn't.
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