It Takes A Village

By RNZ

Nine to Noon's Kathryn Ryan interviews parenting experts to help you navigate the trends, trials & tough calls of modern family life.... more

· Kids & Family

5

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FAQs about It Takes A Village:

How many episodes does It Takes A Village have?

The podcast currently has 360 episodes available.

It Takes A Village episodes:

July 31, 2025 How to be a good parent when you're struggling with your own mental health
Parenting can be a challenge at the best of times - but what about when mum or dad are experiencing low mood ? - Clinical Psychologist Ben Sedley with strategies to help
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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18min
July 24, 2025 Kids and screens - tips for parents
Owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with poorer mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood, according to a global study of more than 100,000 young people.
The study was published earlier this week in the peer-reviewed Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, and found that 18- to 24-year-olds who had received their first smartphone at age 12 or younger were more likely to report suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, poorer emotional regulation, and low self-worth.
OECD data in 2018 showed that New Zealand youth used digital devices 42 hours per week on average, compared to 35 hours globally, and studies have shown that children's screen use has increased since then.
So how can parents and caregivers manage screen time?
Kathryn speaks with Jackie Riach, psychologist and country lead for Triple P New Zealand which provides parenting programmes nationwide.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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19min
July 17, 2025 What's it like being a grandparent in your 30s?
At 37, many people are still getting to grips with being a parent. Matty Acton was learning how to be a grandparent.
He and his wife Esther have two kids, aged 8 and 11, and he's also stepdad to Esther's 23 year old son Ethan - who became a dad himself last year.
Esther and Matty, who's also a breakfast radio host on Brisbane's B105 radio station, have been documenting their journey on their podcast called Underaged Grandparents.
In it they explore the unexpected challenges of becoming grandies while still navigating parenting, marriage and life in general.
Matty also has well over 200-thousand followers on Facebook and Instagram, where he posts skits about daily life - like 'how to trick your kids into a confession', 'when mum has had enough', how house rules change when you have guests' and 'things parents of boys say...parts one and two.'
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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21min
July 10, 2025 Parenting: Turning experiences into lessons
Sara Segar discusses how parents help turn experiences into learning for their children. She runs the Experiential Learning Depot in Minnesota and developed a range of resources for teachers and families, when she realised there was a desire for hands-on, authentic learning at home and in the classroom, but no material to help.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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16min
July 03, 2025 How to look after your children's teeth
The costs - and pain - associated with poor oral health care has become a huge burden on families and the health system, so how can parents get it right for their kids, and encourage good dental habits that last into their later years?
Basic dental care is free in New Zealand for children from birth until they turn 18.
But there are thousands of children currrently on waiting lists for dental treatment, we're talking serious surgeries which require them to go under general anaesthetic, with sugar consumption a significant contributor along with a lack of dental clinic visits.
Oral health promotions manager at the New Zealand Dental Association is Anishma Ram.
The NZDA has more information on dental care for children here.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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18min
June 27, 2025 How to talk to your children about conflict and war
It can be hard to avoid what's going on in the world right now, including for children. How can parents help their kids make sense of what's going on, without scaring them?
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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21min
June 19, 2025 How to talk to children about death
Whether it is a close family member, pet or someone they don't personally know, like a famous person who has died, children experience death and parents will be asked about it.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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24min
June 12, 2025 Bedtime: how to get your kids to bed without nightly drama
Parenting educator Michelle Mitchell talks about how to avoid drama at bedtime.
She says sleep is the cornerstone of kids' (and adults') health and she shares practical strategies to take the battle out of bedtime.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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21min
June 05, 2025 How pre-schoolers can misunderstand adults - and how to help
In parenting today - we've all seen a full pre-schooler in full meltdown mode. Sometimes that's because they're tired or hungry - or even hangry. But it can also be because they've misunderstood what adults are saying. Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright says there are common ways the pre-schoolers can misunderstand what grown-ups are saying. He joins Kathryn to explain how parents can make it easier - for everyone.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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20min
May 29, 2025 Raising literacy among boys - one principal's secret
New Zealand isn't the only country to be concerned about falling student literacy rates and the gender gap in academic performance. New Australian research suggests that boys are twice as likely to be at the bottom in literacy and more likely to fall behind once they reach secondary school. But one boys' high school in North Sydney has defied those odds. Once one of the lowest ranked schools in the state, it is now one of the top for English. Principal Paul Sheather explains to Kathryn how a different teaching approach drove this incredible turnaround at Balgowlah Boys Campus.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
...more
18min

FAQs about It Takes A Village:

How many episodes does It Takes A Village have?

The podcast currently has 360 episodes available.