Poor-quality sleep affects the mental health of 18 to 25-year-olds twice as much as physical exercise and diet, according to a new University of Otago study. The "big three" contributors to health - sleep, exercise and diet - have been studied in isolation before but until a recent University of Otago study, we didn't know which had the most impact on the wellbeing of young adults. Poor-quality sleep affects the mental health of 18 to 25-year-olds twice as much as physical exercise and diet, acc...
Dec 22, 2020•12 min•Ep. 166
A new report into the way many girls and young women regard their bodies paints a sobering picture, with 72% of young people surveyed reporting feeling negatively about their appearance at some point in the day - and for quarter of them, it's an all-day feeling. A new report into the way many girls and young women regard their bodies paints a sobering picture, with 72% of young people surveyed reporting feeling negatively about their appearance at some point in the day - and for quarter of them,...
Dec 16, 2020•13 min•Ep. 165
Neuroscience educator and parenting expert, Nathan Wallis talks to Kathryn about how the brain heals from trauma, and the latest research around neuroplasticity. no metadata Neuroscience educator and parenting expert, Nathan Wallis talks to Kathryn about how the brain heals from trauma, and the latest research around neuroplasticity. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Dec 09, 2020•18 min•Ep. 164
Hannah Davison is the co-founder and author of the My Big Moments series of personalised books for children aged two and up. She talks to Phillipa Tolley about Baby on the Way, a picture book for children which doubles as a guide for parents to help prepare siblings-to-be for a new addition to the whānau. Hannah Davison is the co-founder and author of the My Big Moments series of personalised books for children aged two and up. She talks to Phillipa Tolley about Baby on the Way, a picture book f...
Dec 02, 2020•17 min•Ep. 163
Father of three, and Federated Mountain Clubs executive member Jamie Stewart shares ways for families to get out into the wilderness this summer. Good weather is probably the most impact factor for a trip into the bush with a young family, says keen tramper and father of three Jamie Stewart. "If there's one tip for going tramping with kids it's 'go in good weather, grab a good forecast'." Listen to Jamie Smith on Nine to Noon The Stewart's middle child is autistic and responds really well to out...
Nov 25, 2020•17 min•Ep. 162
Speech and language therapist Christian Wright talks about the cornerstone of language development: imitation. The ability to imitate another person is the cornerstone of speech development, social skills and motor abilities so it's critical we see it getting underway in young children, says speech and language therapist Christian Wright. Listen to Christian Wright on Nine to Noon Babies usually start copying the actions of adults from around six months of age, at about ten months they will show...
Nov 18, 2020•23 min•Ep. 161
A nationwide survey of New Zealand parents explores how families coped with Covid lockdown. Our regular parenting commentator Nathan Wallis was an advisor on the survey, conducted by health insurer nib. He discusses the findings, including the impact of lockdown on children's behavior, parents' stress levels and relationships. Since lockdown, New Zealand parents are continuing to spend more time with their kids, according to new results from a nationwide survey carried out by health insurer NIB....
Nov 11, 2020•15 min•Ep. 160
For the first time, 6000 children taking part in the country's largest longitudinal study have been able to give their own thoughts and insights into their lives. The latest report from the University of Auckland's Growing Up in New Zealand study focuses on life for the children born in 2009 and 2010 at the age of eight. Many of the children reported a firm sense of cultural and gender identity, increasing freedom and high levels of participation in sports and music. The cohort at eight had move...
Nov 09, 2020•22 min•Ep. 159
Education consultant and parenting coach Joseph Driessen talks with Kathryn about helping children identify and manage their feelings. He says it's important to create a family culture where children (and adults) accept and validate the feelings of others. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Nov 04, 2020•22 min•Ep. 158
Maggie Dent talks with Kathryn about the art of effective communication with teenage boys. She is the mother of four sons, a former teacher and counsellor who has become one of Australia's foremost parenting experts - and self described "boy champion". Her latest book is called From Boys to Men, and she is also the host of the ABC podcast Parental as Anything. Many parents are bewildered when puberty turns their sweet, expressive sons monosyllabic, says Australia parenting expert Maggie Dent, wh...
Oct 28, 2020•24 min•Ep. 157
How can parents help children to develop self-control - a key indicator of their future wellbeing as adults? Psychologist Sarb Johal discusses what's been revealed by new research findings from the Growing Up in New Zealand study. How can parents help children to develop self-control - a key indicator of their future wellbeing as adults? Psychologist Sarb Johal discusses what's been revealed by new research findings from the Growing Up in New Zealand study. Listen to Sarb Johal on Nine to Noon A...
Oct 21, 2020•19 min•Ep. 156
Advocate of outdoor nature education, Wendy Pirie says there are so many benefit of children running around outside and exploring their environment. She is the founder of an Early Learning Centre in Taradale, Hawkes Bay where children have 2 acres of natural play space. Advocate of outdoor nature education Wendy Pirie says there are many developmental benefits for children running around outside and exploring their environment. She is the founder of an early learning centre in Taradale, Hawkes B...
Oct 14, 2020•21 min•Ep. 155
With just over a month to go to the start of NCEA exams, there'll be more than a few nervous students around the country. With just over a month to go to the start of NCEA exams, there'll be more than a few nervous students around the country. It's been a tough year of learning interruptions for secondary students, particularly those in Auckland who suffered through two lockdowns. So, with five weeks of studying time up their sleeves, what can students do to prepare themselves? Kathryn talks to ...
Oct 07, 2020•18 min•Ep. 154
What's behind a rise in childhood allergies, and can anything be done to prevent it? Sydney-based gastroenterologist Dr Vincent Ho, has written a new book called The Healthy Baby Gut Guide which looks at what parents can do to help babies develop strong immune responses in their first 1000 days. Although serious food allergies are on the rise, parents can a build a child's food allergy tolerance even before birth, a Sydney-based gastroenterologist says. Dr Vincent Ho's new book The Healthy Baby ...
Sep 30, 2020•29 min•Ep. 153
Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mohamed Alansari with what the learnings about learning at home during lockdown have been to date. Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mohamed Alansari with what the learnings about learning at home during lockdown have been to date. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Sep 24, 2020•22 min•Ep. 152
Speech and language therapist Christian Wright talks about two speech sound errors commonly heard in children's speech that can persist through adolescence and into adulthood - the R and Th sounds. Speech and language therapist Christian Wright talks about two speech sound errors commonly heard in children's speech that can persist through adolescence and into adulthood - the R and Th sounds. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details...
Sep 17, 2020•20 min•Ep. 151
A Northland iwi is putting its own spin on the international Incredible Years parenting programme, localising it with input from kaumatua and kapa haka. A Northland iwi is putting its own spin on the international Incredible Years parenting programme, localising it with input from kaumatua and kapa haka. Parents or caregivers who sign up for the Kaitaia-based programme can expect to understand their tamariki's development better, learn techniques to encourage positive behaviour and role-play ide...
Sep 10, 2020•19 min•Ep. 150
New research on the prevalence of bullying, and tips not just to help parents prevent it but to help them cope with it . Dr Cara Swit, from the University of Canterbury's School of Health Sciences, is one of a few researchers in New Zealand focusing on how we can react if a child is a bully, or is being bullied. Dr Swit is spending time with parents and teachers as part of a new three-year longitudinal study, gathering evidence on how young children's behaviour impacts on their health and wellbe...
Sep 03, 2020•18 min•Ep. 149
We shouldn't fear a bit of messiness in our interactions with people we care about, says psychologist Dr Ed Tronick. He recently co-authored the book The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs of Relationships Are the Secret to Building Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust with paediatrician Dr Claudia Gold. We shouldn't fear a bit of messiness in our interactions with people we care about, says psychologist Dr Ed Tronick. He recently co-authored the book The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs ...
Sep 01, 2020•32 min•Ep. 148
Registered dietician, Professor Clare Wall talks to Kathryn about the importance of kai for babies and toddlers, simply put, choosing a chicken dinner over chicken nuggets. Professor Wall leads the nutrition and dietetic department at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. She's been involved in the Growing up in New Zealand longitudinal study which has followed children from birth to 11 years old. The research has provided a valuable snapshot of what Kiwi kids are ...
Aug 19, 2020•21 min•Ep. 147
As Aucklanders spend their first full day back in alert level 3, and the rest of the country in level 2 anxiety levels among many will be on the rise. Sparklers is an online wellbeing resource for teachers, which was created by the All Right? Campaign following the Canterbury earthquakes to support children. When Covid struck in March, Sparklers at Home was launched for parents and children. Anna Mowat from Sparklers says the online tool has been evaluated and has proven effective. "We had an ev...
Aug 13, 2020•21 min•Ep. 146
Psychologist Sarb Johal discusses how children are making sense of the Covid-19 pandemic and how parents are helping them, when they themselves may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Aug 05, 2020•15 min•Ep. 145
New research from the University of Otago shows that early bedtimes for pre-schoolers are not vital for healthy development, as long as they are getting enough sleep. New research from the University of Otago shows that early bedtimes for pre-schoolers are not vital for healthy development, as long as they are getting enough sleep. A number of studies in older children have found a correlation between later bedtimes and the risk of developing obesity. The Otago study, led by Dr Melyssa Roy, from...
Jul 29, 2020•11 min•Ep. 144
Brain researcher, parenting coach and founder of X-Factor Education, Nathan Wallis, explains how the brain develops from newborn to adult. Why do male and female brains grow differently, what hinders and promotes brain growth, and what are warning signs for parents if a child isn't developing normally? Even before birth, babies are busily data-gathering, says brain researcher, parenting coach and founder of X-Factor Education, Nathan Wallis. He tells Kathryn Ryan how parents can support young ch...
Jul 23, 2020•17 min•Ep. 143
How do you figure out what sort of career to work towards? How do you know what to study to get there? And what if you choose a course or job you don't like? Self-knowledge is the best prerequisite for figuring out a career path, says professional advisor Caroline Sandford. How do you figure out what sort of career to work towards? How do you know what to study to get there? And what if you choose a course or job you don't like? Self-knowledge is the best prerequisite for figuring out a career p...
Jul 16, 2020•18 min•Ep. 142
Sleeping better in pregnancy - a guide to sleep health for NZ Women is the latest research from Massey University's internationally renowned Sleep/Wake Research Centre. It's a trimester-by-trimester guide to managing expectations about sleep, and a tool kit for getting a good night's rest. Sleep/Wake Associate Professor Leigh Signal and PhD student Clare Ladyman, who came up with the idea for the book, speak with Kathryn Ryan. Sleeping better in pregnancy - a guide to sleep health for NZ Women i...
Jul 09, 2020•21 min•Ep. 141
When a child is telling you about something that's bothering them, don't rush in with advice, says parenting consultant Joseph Driessen. It's a skill that can take some practise, but 'reflective listening' - in which you reflect back to your child what they're saying - is a better approach, he tells Lynn Freeman. When a child is telling you about something that's bothering them, don't rush in with advice, says parenting coach Joseph Driessen. It's a skill that can take some practise, but 'reflec...
Jul 02, 2020•15 min•Ep. 140
For parents of picky eaters, mealtimes can turn the kitchen table into more of a battleground. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 01, 2020•24 min•Ep. 139
How can parents find the delicate balance between helping a child with their homework, and overhelping - or even doing it for them! Kathryn speaks with Monash University education lecturer Melissa Barnes, who has analysed more than 400 research studies on the topic. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 01, 2020•17 min•Ep. 138
Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright joins Lynn to talk about question development in pre-schoolers as they try to understand the world around them. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 01, 2020•17 min•Ep. 137
