Tamariki / Children

5 Ways to Support Children When You're Moving House

5 Ways to Support Children When You're Moving House

Moving house can be a big emotional shift for tamariki, even when it’s an exciting change. This article shares five simple, practical ways to support children through the transition, helping them feel heard, involved, and more secure as they adjust to a new home.

5 Ways to Support Children When You're Moving House

Moving house can be a big emotional shift for tamariki, even when it’s an exciting change. This article shares five simple, practical ways to support children through the transition, helping them feel heard, involved, and more secure as they adjust to a new home.

Finding the Courage to Look in the Mirror – a different approach to helping our young people thrive

Finding the Courage to Look in the Mirror – a different approach to helping our young people thrive

Maybe children aren’t “broken” and in need of fixing, but simply communicating through their behaviour. What if the best way to support them is looking at the environment they’re growing in, and the conditions shaping their wellbeing?

Finding the Courage to Look in the Mirror – a different approach to helping our young people thrive

Maybe children aren’t “broken” and in need of fixing, but simply communicating through their behaviour. What if the best way to support them is looking at the environment they’re growing in, and the conditions shaping their wellbeing?

Talking to Tamariki After a Suicide in the Whānau

Talking to Tamariki After a Suicide in the Whānau

After a suicide in the whānau, one of the hardest questions many parents and caregivers face is how to talk to their child about what has happened. In this article, Dr Shelley Brunskill-Matson offers practical guidance for having these conversations, including how to explain suicide in an age-appropriate way, what children need to hear to feel safe and supported, and why honesty and simple language matter.

Talking to Tamariki After a Suicide in the Whānau

After a suicide in the whānau, one of the hardest questions many parents and caregivers face is how to talk to their child about what has happened. In this article, Dr Shelley Brunskill-Matson offers practical guidance for having these conversations, including how to explain suicide in an age-appropriate way, what children need to hear to feel safe and supported, and why honesty and simple language matter.

What You Should Know if You're Supporting a Child Navigating Grief

What You Should Know if You're Supporting a Child Navigating Grief

Drawing on her research with bereaved children, Dr Shelley Brunskill-Matson shares practical insights into what grieving children say helps most, and why letting your child take the lead can make all the difference.

What You Should Know if You're Supporting a Child Navigating Grief

Drawing on her research with bereaved children, Dr Shelley Brunskill-Matson shares practical insights into what grieving children say helps most, and why letting your child take the lead can make all the difference.

Big Feelings Need Connection Not a Big Reaction

Big Feelings Need Connection Not a Big Reaction

Meltdowns don’t come from nowhere. Kate Maclean explores the “balloon effect” of sensory overload and shares practical ways to support regulation before and after overwhelm.

Big Feelings Need Connection Not a Big Reaction

Meltdowns don’t come from nowhere. Kate Maclean explores the “balloon effect” of sensory overload and shares practical ways to support regulation before and after overwhelm.

My Kids Are Sick of Sandwiches… What Now?

My Kids Are Sick of Sandwiches… What Now?

When her family declared they were officially “done” with school-lunch sandwiches, Kate Eileen decided to rethink lunchboxes altogether. What followed was a surprisingly positive shift toward simpler, more creative lunches that her kids actually wanted to eat and even led to her tamariki trying new things.

My Kids Are Sick of Sandwiches… What Now?

When her family declared they were officially “done” with school-lunch sandwiches, Kate Eileen decided to rethink lunchboxes altogether. What followed was a surprisingly positive shift toward simpler, more creative lunches that her kids actually wanted to eat and even led to her tamariki trying new things.

Supporting Tamariki Through Everyday Transitions

Supporting Tamariki Through Everyday Transitions

Transitions can be tough for tamariki - especially when they’re deeply engaged in play. What can look like “not listening” is often a nervous system response to sudden change. Here’s what’s going on underneath, and a few simple ways to support smoother transitions.

Supporting Tamariki Through Everyday Transitions

Transitions can be tough for tamariki - especially when they’re deeply engaged in play. What can look like “not listening” is often a nervous system response to sudden change. Here’s what’s going on underneath, and a few simple ways to support smoother transitions.

When to Seek Help for Picky Eating - 10 Warning Signs

When to Seek Help for Picky Eating - 10 Warning Signs

Many tamariki go through phases of fussy eating. But how do you know when it’s just a stage and when it might need extra support? Here we explore some helpful signs to look for and reflect on.

When to Seek Help for Picky Eating - 10 Warning Signs

Many tamariki go through phases of fussy eating. But how do you know when it’s just a stage and when it might need extra support? Here we explore some helpful signs to look for and reflect on.

Fussy Eating - Why Consistency Is Unexciting but Essential

Fussy Eating - Why Consistency Is Unexciting but Essential

When feeding feels hard, it’s often consistency rather than new strategies that help tamariki build comfort, familiarity, and confidence with food over time.

Fussy Eating - Why Consistency Is Unexciting but Essential

When feeding feels hard, it’s often consistency rather than new strategies that help tamariki build comfort, familiarity, and confidence with food over time.

The Demand of Questions and the Impact They Can Have for Our Neurodivergent Tamariki

The Demand of Questions and the Impact They Can Have for Our Neurodivergent Tamariki

When your child turns to you and says “you tell them,” it can be easy to feel unsure about what to do. But for many tamariki, especially those who are neurodivergent, being asked a direct question can feel overwhelming. Here’s why stepping in to support them matters more than you might think.

The Demand of Questions and the Impact They Can Have for Our Neurodivergent Tamariki

When your child turns to you and says “you tell them,” it can be easy to feel unsure about what to do. But for many tamariki, especially those who are neurodivergent, being asked a direct question can feel overwhelming. Here’s why stepping in to support them matters more than you might think.

Use Technology for What It Adds, Not What It Replaces

Use Technology for What It Adds, Not What It Replaces

This generation has never known life without digital devices. Let's think about what that offers and what it's taking away.

Use Technology for What It Adds, Not What It Replaces

This generation has never known life without digital devices. Let's think about what that offers and what it's taking away.

8 Ways to Navigate Grief with Our Little Ones

8 Ways to Navigate Grief with Our Little Ones

Grief can be confusing for children. This guide offers simple, practical ways to support tamariki, from expressing feelings and sharing memories to creating keepsakes and finding comfort in rituals.

8 Ways to Navigate Grief with Our Little Ones

Grief can be confusing for children. This guide offers simple, practical ways to support tamariki, from expressing feelings and sharing memories to creating keepsakes and finding comfort in rituals.