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Lunchbox slices, biscuits, cookies
What can I bake for the kids school playlunch? Looking for a little sweet treat for after school snack? Here is a collection of yummy bickies, cookies, slices to pop into their lunchboxes.
![What one mother wishes she knew when she sent her son off to 'big' school last year ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/1/8/d/s/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.3189h.gjzq8j.png/1485828670476.jpg)
What to expect from the first year of school
What one mother wishes she knew when she sent her son off to 'big' school last year.
![Is your child school ready?](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/o/k/p/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.2okln.gjzq8j.png/1444103411520.jpg)
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![Catherine Devine and her son Joshie.](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/d/n/1/f/image.related.landscape.300x200.p51f2d.png/1556843328454.jpg)
Beyond the sales pitch: getting the most from school open days
School open day period is upon us, providing an opportunity for schools to spruik and for families to get a feel for the place, the students and the principal.
![Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/d/b/6/z/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1db6v.png/1554971835458.jpg)
Which families delay sending their child to school, and why?
The tendency to delay varies according to where families live and their socio-economic status.
![James Keene still gets upset when he thinks about the day he missed his first daughter's first day at school.](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/b/t/p/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.p510dw.png/1551394095256.jpg)
James missed his daughter's first school day 13 years ago. It still hurts
A LinkedIn post has started a discussion on how workplace culture still prevents parents from attending important children's milestones.
!["Listen mum, it's time for you to let me go."](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/a/w/g/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.p50vw2.png/1549851900641.jpg)
How to succeed at school (we're talking to you, parents)
There's no manual for parents heading to school for the first time. Here's some tips.
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Why I find term time easier than summer school holidays
When school starts back I feel some control over my life again.
![Parents may need to play the advocate for their child, especially if their child has a disability which affects their ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/a/5/k/m/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1a5kq.png/1548315195060.jpg)
What you need to know if your child with a disability is starting school soon
It's important for the child and their achievement at school that there is a good parent-teacher-student partnership.
![Kindergarten teacher Kate Jones](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/a/b/h/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.p50sr4.png/1548284827915.jpg)
How to get your child ready for their first day at big school
Assistant principal Kate Jones has some advice for kindergarten teachers as the school year kicks off and little learners enter the classroom for the first time.
![Parents were shocked to see the pole dancing routine performed in front of kindergarten students.](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/4/w/9/u/image.related.landscape.300x200.p501jn.png/1536028793506.jpg)
Chinese kindergarten welcomes kids with a pole dancer
The principal of a kindergarten in southern China has been sacked after welcoming students back to the first day of the new school year with pole dancing.
![Playful boys are seen more negatively, finds a new study.](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/j/3/9/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0yf5d.png/1523329149445.jpg)
Labelling playful boys as 'class clowns' is harmful
It could lead to social anxiety and isolation for some boys.
!["School is bloody hard," says blogger Mel Watts.](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/v/d/5/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0v4l0.png/1518059263383.png)
'School is bloody hard': Modern Mumma Mel Watts shares tearful video
Mums everywhere can relate.
![We're all lining up to head back to school.](http://web.archive.org./web/20191124000342im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/o/x/s/m/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0msd9.png/1516672486807.jpg)
Life's lesson
There's more to be learned at school than how to conjugate verbs, writes Karen Hardy
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