Rnz: It Takes A Village

Kathryn talks with parenting coach and education consultant Joseph Driessen about helping children overcome the effects of the Covid epidemic, at home, at school, and with their friends.

'Helicopter' parenting is a term often used pejoratively to describe an overprotective way of raising kids. Although this approach to parenting is coming from a good place, it can interfere with a child's development, says psychologist Sarb Johal.

It can drive parents mad, but psychologist Dr Rachael Sharman of the University of the Sunshine Coast says sibling rivalry is a perfectly normal - and in fact, even necessary part of the developmental process. So how can parents guide their kids through the conflict process?

Paediatric dietician Jenny Douglas talks to Susie about how to best nourish infants and young children. Jenny runs her own private practice, Jump Start Nutrition in Dunedin. She specialises in infant feeding, food allergies and intolerance, fussy eating and gut health. She has contributed to Nadia Lim's new book Yum which focuses of recipes and nutrition for the whole family.

Mother-daughter duo Robyn and Molly Fausett have collaborated on writing a guide to raising teenagers, their book is called The Kids Will Be All Right. Robyn is a nurse and educator and is a programme writer for health and wellbeing in school education. The book covers off a range of subjects including body image, cyber safety, sexuality, puberty and having respectful relationships. Her daughter Molly brings a youth voice and perspective to it.

Clinical Psychologist Karen Nimmo says teenagers and young adults have had a hard time through the pandemic, disruption at school and university, having to do a lot of learning online. She discusses how best to help teenagers through this stage and how to recognise when they are struggling.

Psychologist Sarb Johal say ambivalence about parenting can strike at any time - even in the lead up to parenting. He says it's totally normal but because few parents ever voice these feelings, it's easy to feel guilty.

One in ten children suffer from a sleep disorder but most of us - including GPs and paediatricians - know very little about the signs and symptoms, says Dr Chris Winter. In his new book The Rested Child, the American neurologist talks about why the "tired, wired, or irritable child" may actually have a sleep disorder.

Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research Mohamed Alansari with some new research out today, highlighting how most secondary school teachers have changed something about the way they teach because of Covid-19.

Author and parenting coach, Maggie Dent, talks to Kathryn about her new book Girlhood: raising our little girls to be healthy, happy and heard. She says it is vital that parents enable young girls' voices to be heard, and help girls navigate the challenges of modern times. Maggie is the mother of four boys, and the proud grandmother of four girls. She's a former teacher and counsellor, the host of the ABC podcast Parental as Anything.

Many listeners may already have had time at home with Covid and other winter ills. So what's the best way to get through the time together? Ellie Gwilliam is with the Parenting Place, and has just gone through it with her family. She joins Kathryn to talk survival tips.

Neuroplasticity educator and parenting expert Nathan Wallis talks with Kathryn about the advantages of children starting school at six years old. He says while it goes against the norm in New Zealand, in most countries across the world, the starting age is six, often seven. He says those children who start school when they are older than five may be doubly advantaged - by having more free play when their brains need it most, and by being older than their peers when they do start school.

Engaging with a baby in their first three years of life can help set them up with communication skills, says speech-language therapist Emma Quigan. Once you trust that very young children are learning from every interaction, you see time spent with them as a significant opportunity, she tells Kathryn Ryan.

New research from the New Zealand Council for Educational Research looks at what gives Maori and Pasifika students the best chance of success at school. Through four studies, the Conceptualising Maori and Pasifika Aspirations and Striving for Success COMPASS project has identified critical factors that serve as important punga/anchors in the educational journeys of akonga/students. Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Mohamed Alansari speaks with Kathryn Ryan.

Clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire first spoke Nine to Noon about highly sensitive children back in March. In part two of the conversation, she tells Kathryn Ryan these children are more prone to feeling guilt and shame - and parents should keep this in mind.

Neuroscience educator Deb Rewiri says it has never been so important to get on board with traditional Māori parenting practices. Help is at hand to take whanau back to when a village raised the children. Deb tells Kathryn about a whanau support initiative called Tākai which embraces mātauranga Māori and indigenous parenting approaches.

Kathryn talks with parenting coach and education consultant Joseph Driessen about parenting skills for blended families.

Lynn speaks to Garth Wynne, who's been involved in educating teenage boys for decades and is now executive principal of Christ's College in Christchurch.

Primary school teacher-turned writer Aaron Topp talks about his latest Young Adult book and shares tips on how to coax reluctant readers to pick up a book.

How can parents best develop their children to become great learners? Kathryn speaks with father and son educators John and Kyle Hattie, who've co-authored a book setting out ten steps for encouraging curiosity and intellectual ambition. They say it all starts with parents demonstrating to their child an openness to new ideas and thinking - and not to be afraid of failure.