Child Advice & Research | Essential Kids

The daunting questions of a first school camp.

Dear Jess: Do I have to send my daughters on school camp?

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Boys from disadvantaged homes are more than four times as likely to go through early puberty.

Poor children face higher risk of early puberty

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The ties between Mark Wadie and Jackson Friend go back three generations.

Sport presents a unique opportunity to coach boys into men

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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 ...

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.

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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.

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Justine Davies

How to engage bored kids in play

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How to bully-proof your child

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How to stop worrying and just be a mum

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Giving children freedom to find their way ...

Freedom for kids in the midst of life's dangers

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Six reasons your teen's life is more stressful than your own

I am the father of four very patient teenagers, two still living at home. They indulge my stream of dad jokes with a wry, sympathetic smile.

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Why we need to teach our kids average can be awesome

Average is what most of us really are, if we're honest with ourselves. And there's nothing wrong with that.

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The risk of not letting our children take risks

No parent wants their child hurt, anywhere, anytime! However this fear may be negating our children's capacity to grow brave and resilient.

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Brothers Sebastian, two, and Sam, three, enjoy a lollipop.

Hugs not fudge: How giving a crying kid a lolly might make them an emotional eater

New research indicates emotional eating might be a result of parenting.

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Want to teach your kids how to cooperate? Pop them on the swing set

Swinging isn't just fun - it might just teach our kids how to get along, too.

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Mum's warning about 'creeps' on popular teen app

Just when you thought it was totally safe to let your kids on social media (just kidding, nobody really thinks that), here comes another warning of ways creeps will try to contact our kids.