Talking with Children About Craig Silvey in the News: A Parent’s Guide

Helping your child (from primary years through teens) understand what’s happening, safely and with care You may have heard some concerning news in Australia recently about award‑winning author Craig Silvey, whose books, such as Jasper Jones and Runt, have been widely read, studied, and even adapted to film. Here’s what’s happened, and how you can

What Childcare Directors Should Be Doing Right Now to Protect Children and Their Service

When child abuse dominates the headlines, Early Childhood Directors often feel a wave of urgency and fear.  Even when incidents are unrelated to your service, the responsibility can feel overwhelming. You’re thinking about children’s safety, staff confidence, parent trust, compliance obligations, and the reputation of your centre all at once. In moments like this, panic isn’t

Congratulations, Queensland, on your ‘In Plain Sight’ report. I hope every state follows these recommendations.

I want to begin by congratulating the Queensland Family and Child Commission for producing the In Plain Sight report. It is a thorough and important piece of work that highlights something many of us have known for a long time: My hope is that every state and territory takes these recommendations seriously and looks closely

The Social Media Delay: Why December 10 Matters for Parents

Understanding the December 10 Social Media Changes On December 10, 2025, Australia’s new social media age rule takes effect. This law (often called a “social media ban” or delay) will prevent anyone under 16 from having social media accounts on major platforms. At this stage, popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube,

Why I Had to Create a Video About Children Choking Other Children

I’m increasingly seeing more and more children choking other children, both in the classroom and in the playground. Sometimes, it happens out of frustration when a child doesn’t have the words to express their anger. Other times, it happens during playfighting, where children don’t realise just how dangerous it is. But no matter the reason,

Why We Should Stop Using “Good Touch, Bad Touch” and Switch to “Safe and Unsafe Touch”

I’ve been researching what types of resources would be most helpful, as I have just set up a Teachers Pay Teachers account to support teachers, educators and parents who homeschool, with best-practice resources. I noticed on Teachers Pay Teachers and Pinterest just how many resources are still using good touch, bad touch.  It’s 2025, and

Open Doors, Open Hearts: The Power of “Consequence-Free Conversations” with Your Teens

Hey there, parents! Today, I want to chat about something super important yet often overlooked in our parenting journey – setting up a “Consequence-Free Conversation” strategy with your teens. Think of it as opening a window into their world, where trust and understanding breeze in, sweeping away fears and doubts. Why Consequence-Free Conversations? Remember being

The Gift of Consent During the Christmas Season

As we get ready to enjoy the holiday season’s festivities, it’s crucial to remember that the spirit of Christmas should extend beyond the exchange of gifts and the warmth of twinkling lights. One aspect that often gets overlooked during this time is the importance of consent. While it may seem like a serious topic against

A Parent’s Guide to Setting Up Privacy Settings for Your Child’s Christmas Device

Are you thinking of giving your child a device for Christmas? As the holiday season approaches, many parents find themselves contemplating the idea of gifting their children a digital device for Christmas. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or gaming console, these gadgets offer many opportunities for learning, entertainment, and communication. However, with great power comes

Strategies to help ensure your child is cyber safe

The internet provides an opportunity for children to interact and learn on a global scale and can be a wonderful learning tool. However, the internet also offers strangers a direct link to your home and your child’s life. The danger of this cannot be underestimated. It is imperative, that you educate yourself and your family