This episode was recorded in front a live audience at Spark NZ for the launch of the Spark Kids Plan.

Melissa Chan-Green speaks with Leela Ashford about the first mobile plan for families and the Parent Hub which has been developed in conjunction with Child Psychologist Dr Emma Woodward.

Sheridan Eketone of the Parenting Place shares lots of practical tips for how to manage device time and have conversations with your children about online safety.

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This week marks just the second year Women's Health Week has been marked - remarkable when you think we have been talking about Men's Health Week for years.

In this episode we speak with Tend's Cecilia Robinson. A passionate advocate for both health and education.

Here she combines those two interests to talk about the challenges that commonly face women that stem from unhealthy standards or lack of education for girls.

As a bold leader who thinks ambitiously for New Zealand, Cecilia also comments on the plan to scrap NCEA and replace it with a new achievement framework.

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Dyscalculia is likely to be not far behind dyslexia in the numbers of people it affects, but it is often called the 'learning difficulty no one talks about' because awareness and research are still decades behind.

In this episode, Head of Maths Australia Esther White talks about the learning challenge that affects people's ability to understand numbers and perform mathematical tasks.

She shares the differences between dyscalculia and dyslexia and the impact of teaching methods on achievement and maths anxiety.

This episode aims to give parents information to help students who are struggling with maths - there might also be many adults who only just realise this is something they have struggled with too.

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To address a child's behavioural challenges, an adult must first understand their own behaviour according to relational neuroscience educator Jase Williams.

Jase is a former Principal himself and speaks at schools about emotional regulation and how to redefine resilience.

This episode the impact that covid 19 has had on emotional regulation of our students. Jase also gives his views on how to help children navigate success and failure in education and practical advice for parents dealing with children's emotional challenges.

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This is a MUST watch for any family who is just beginning the reading journey with their child. If you missed the parent information session at your school or if you just want to review the information your school may have already given you about the learning going on in the classroom - this is the episode for you.

It has all the basics of what you need to know about how teachers will be teaching your kids to read, write and spell. It has lots of helpful advice about how you can support at home by explaining the role of decodable books and authentic texts in fostering a love of reading.

Join Melissa Chan-Green as she speaks with teachers Sam Allis and Jude Tabuteau. They are both early years teachers and literacy leads in their respective schools and have also been involved in professional development for other teachers in the science of reading.

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The most common parenting challenges that psychologists are called in to help with in schools and among families. Jackie Riach from the Positive Parenting Program works with schools who ask for help with a range of challenges.

Jackie and Melissa discuss various topics including the importance of friendships, the impact of bullying, the role of chores in fostering responsibility, and the significance of self-esteem in children's development.

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From nurse to clinical nutritionist and Mum of 4, Gina Urlich has seen the importance of good nutrition from all sides.

In this episode, Gina speaks about the challenges of navigating food labels and advocates for better food regulations. She shares the critical role of nutrition in early childhood development, particularly during the first thousand days. We also talk about the significance of gut health and the impact of nutrition on children's learning and behavior.

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Looking for some STEM inspiration for your weekends and school holidays? Motat's Education Lead Julie Baker joins us in this episode to discuss all the fun ways you can encourage your children to become more engaged in the subjects of science, technology and maths.

Unfortunately enrolment in these subjects is in steady decline. Motat however is making it a mission to find the spark in more children - and has just won a major award as Exhibition of the Year at the Museum of the Year Awards in London. Find out more about the winning exhibit here.

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