Kiddipedia Podcast

I think we would all agree, music is one of life's greatest joys. Music weaves unforgettable memories into our lives by stirring our deepest emotions, making every moment more vibrant, no matter where we are or what we're doing.

As powerful as music is in connecting with our emotions, did you know that music can have a profound impact on children's brain development in the early years of life?

Neuroscientific studies have proven that exposing children to music during early education is exceptional for children's brain development, as it ignites a symphony of skill development, enhancing auditory, language, cognitive, and emotional skills. coordination, literacy, math, and more!

So as a parent, grandparent or carer, we want to help you be aware of the significance of music in early brain development and the positive impact it can have on children. Why? So to help empower you to make informed decisions regarding your child's early education and activities. Also, to provide you with the tools to provide your children with a well-rounded and stimulating environment, setting the foundation for future success and lifelong learning.

To help us understand all about this, we welcome back a very special guest, Dr Tessa Grigg.

Dr Tessa Grigg is the Research and Education Manager at Toddler Kindy GymbaROO and KindyROO, She is a part-time lecturer at the University of Canterbury, NZ, a teacher and producer of children’s music. She has over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education sector and a wealth of knowledge in this topic.

We ask Dr Tessa questions including:

1. How does music act as a precursor to language development?
2. What is the connection between clapping, babbling, and music in babies?
3. How does singing and moving with a baby contribute to secure attachment?
4. Why do babies and toddlers often move in time to music? What role does adult involvement play?
5. In what ways does engaging in a dance-a-day benefit brain development?
6. How does a music-rich environment help children develop their musical skills?
7. What is the significance of learning to keep a steady beat for the brain's internal timing signals?
8. Why does the brain have a natural affinity for patterns in music?
9. How does performing music contribute to the development of self-control in children?
10. How does GymbaROO-KindyROO music cater to the developmental needs of babies and young children?
11. What are the specific skills that music encourages in auditory processing, verbal memory, language, speech processing, perception, coordination, literacy, and mathematics?
12. What role does classical music, especially from the Baroque period, play in stimulating the developing brain?
13. How do the songs chosen or written for GymbaROO-KindyROO programs incorporate developmental sequences?
14. What are some inexpensive musical instruments that parents can introduce at home for their children?
15. How does dancing with a child and singing songs contribute to their skill development?
16. Why is exposure to a wide range of music beneficial for a child’s development?
17. How can parents use music to extend and strengthen their child's GymbaROO experience?

 

For further details:

https://www.gymbaroo.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/GymbaROO.KindyROO

https://www.instagram.com/gymbaroo/

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I think we would all agree that our post-pandemic world is as fast-paced and demanding as ever, and through this, it’s essential to equip our children with the necessary tools to navigate life’s challenges and foster their mental health.

It’s common as parents to feel unequipped and unsure of how to help support their child’s mental health. We know it’s essential, and more than anything, you want your kids to thrive, but how? What can you do or give them that will help and support them in reaching their full potential?

Even more so, how can we provide experiences for our children that can make this process fun, enjoyable and effective?

Well, that’s where the magic of play-based learning and specific focus on well-being for children comes in. This is what we discuss today, along with topics including children’s mental well-being, the importance of nurturing young minds away from screens and what you can do as a parent to help strengthen their emotional resilience from a different perspective, that being through fun and engaging activities as we welcome with our special guest, Naomi Green, Co-Founder of Tiger Tribe.

We ask Naomi questions, including:

1. Why do you think it’s important more than ever that brands create products designed to help parents support children through the demands and complexities of our lives?
2. Can you share insights into the design process and how you ensure that your products effectively stimulate children’s imagination and foster their creative skills?
3. Well-being is such a broad term that it can mean many things. In recent times, it’s become a bit of a buzzword. What aspects of well-being is Tiger Tribe focused on?
4. How does Tiger Tribe ensure your techniques and practices are presented enjoyably for kids?
5. Parents’ and carers’ lives are busy; what role can they play in helping and supporting children in strengthening their mental health?
6. How can the Pocket Gratitude Journal help children develop a daily practice of reflection?
7. Can you provide examples of activities included in the Mindfully Me activity set?
8. What age group is the Tiger Tribe Well-being range designed for?
9. Why is providing non-screen-based opportunities to parents so important to you?
10. Why do you think providing self-directed play-based opportunities is so important?

 

For the full article, please go to: https://kiddipedia.com.au/how-mindfulness-activities-can-empower-childrens-well-being-and-creativity/

 

For further details:

https://tigertribe.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/tigertribeau

https://www.instagram.com/_tigertribe_/

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Raising a newborn is an incredible journey filled with a whirlwind of new experiences. From the moment they enter our lives, we're catapulted into a world of learning and new information we never knew existed.. From trying to best decode baby cues, to the right

and wrongs of sleep patterns to understanding the intricacies of early brain development we embark on a remarkable adventure of learning and growth alongside our little ones.

Today we are going to be discussing the fascinating topic of ‘Primitive Reflexes’. Have you heard of this before? Well, until now I haven’t either, so even more reason to grab a cuppa and tune in as we welcome our special guest Dr Jane Williams, a Director of GymbaROO and KindyROO. 

Dr Jane is one of Australia’s leading child and baby development experts. She has been working with infants, children and parents for over 40 years and her extensive experience includes guiding the Research and Education of GymbaROO-KindyROO for over 20 years.

 We ask Dr Jane questions including:

1. Can you explain what Primitive reflexes are and why they are important for newborn babies?
2. How do Primitive reflexes contribute to the development of baby's balance, muscle tone, head control, vision, and hand-foot coordination?
3. What happens if babies don’t gain full control over their Primitive Reflexes?
4. Can you elaborate on the connection between retained reflexes and unregulated behaviour, lack of impulse control, poor social skills, and difficulty in learning?
5. What are some of the signs or symptoms that may indicate a child has retained reflexes?
6. How does the process of gaining control over Primitive reflexes contribute to brain development?
7. Are all children born with the same set of Primitive reflexes, or can they vary?
8. Can you explain the role of developmental movements, such as tummy time, head control, rolling, crawling, and walking, in helping babies control their Primitive reflexes?
9. What are some potential risks or consequences if babies skip certain developmental movement stages?
10. Are there specific exercises or activities that parents can do to help their babies gain control over their Primitive reflexes?
11. How can parents differentiate between normal developmental movements and signs of retained reflexes in their babies?
12. Are there any factors that may contribute to the persistence of Primitive reflexes beyond the typical time frame?
13. Are there any long-term implications for individuals who have retained reflexes into childhood or adulthood?
14. Where can parents find additional resources or information about Primitive reflexes and their impact on child development?

 

For the full article, please go to:

https://kiddipedia.com.au/primitive-reflexes-why-parents-need-to-know-about-them/

 

For further details:

https://www.gymbaroo.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/GymbaROO.KindyROO

https://www.instagram.com/gymbaroo/

 

For free Baby Reflexes video:

http://activebabiessmartkids.com.au/episodes/baby-reflexes/

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Every parent knows the pain of mealtimes with children and that they can sometimes feel a little bit like a rollercoaster ride. Trying to keep their emotions in check can sometimes feel literally like juggling spaghetti while riding a unicycle.

One moment, they're ecstatic about their favourite food, and the next, they're crying because their broccoli touched their mashed potatoes. One second, they're happily gobbling down their meal, and the next, they're wailing because their sandwich is shaped like a rectangle, not a triangle.

Managing these emotional whirlwinds requires the patience of a saint, the creativity of a master chef, and the ability to perform magic tricks that transform ordinary vegetables into delicious superpowers.

You quickly learn to become a master in negotiation, offering bribes of dessert and creative distractions like talking carrots. But hey, the satisfaction of seeing them eat happily makes it all worth it!

Jokes aside, managing children's strong emotions during mealtimes can pose a challenge, yet it remains crucial to establish a nurturing and uplifting atmosphere that encourages them to freely express their feelings.

To help us better understand how we can do this, I’m excited to welcome one of our partners here at Kiddipedia Miss Sinead from Food Is Cool

We ask Sinead questions including:

1. (3:22) Why do you think it’s so common that children experience big feelings around food?
2. (9:28) What is the key to supporting hungry children at mealtimes?
3. (12:12) What tips do you have for parents on having boundaries, being consistent and being mindful of the language used?
4. (14:36) You mention it’s important to develop your child’s sense of agency and allow them to have a sense of belonging during mealtimes. Can you expand with examples of this?
5. (17:55) You mention to also ‘Talk about anything but the food!’ Why is this important?
6. (23:31) How can parents remain calm if big emotions arise?
7. (27:04) In your article you list 4 strategies to help parents keep their boundaries, can you quickly go through them with us now?

For the full article, please go to: https://kiddipedia.com.au/supporting-big-emotions-in-children-at-meal-times/

Research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35807307/

Socials:
@drflavs
facebook.com/drflav
linkedin.com/in/drflav

@foodiscool._
facebook.com/foodissocool
https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodiscool/

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Every parent wants their child to be healthy and happy and of course, a big part of ensuring this has to do with their diet and the balance of foods they’re eating. However, figuring out the right mix of healthy foods that are right for the whole family to eat each day can be a real puzzle, it's a little like trying to crack a code, especially when it comes to feeding ourselves and our little ones.

I’m sure we’ve all heard the Australian Dietary Guidelines that say we should aim for 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of veggies daily. But what does that actually mean? It's not as straightforward as it sounds. We need to know the right portion sizes, and have a variety of fruits and veggies. Plus, age, activity levels, and all other individual needs play a role too. 

Working this out on our own can sometimes feel like an added layer of stress and anxiety to our already growing pile sitting over there in the corner, definitely not what we need, there has to be an easier way!

Well, lucky for us there is and our special guest today is here to help us understand and explain what that is using scientifically backed strategies.

Today I am so excited to welcome one of our partners here at Kiddipedia Dr Flavia from Food Is Cool. 

We ask Dr Flavia questions including:

1. (2:48) I understand you’ve focused your research and advocacy work on promoting a food-first approach to address public health’s biggest problems, especially among children. Where did this passion come from and Why is this so important to you?
2. (4:17) You’ve mentioned that the norm in society around food and nutrition is not the evidence-based way, can you expand on what you mean by that? 
3. (5:48) You’ve also mentioned that you’re here to re-think and re-work (almost) everything we thought we know about food and nutrition and throw quite a bit out the window, please explain why this is. 
4. (8:33) What are some of the more common questions and concerns parents ask to ensure their children's diets are healthy and balanced?
5. (11:51) In your article you mention that 99% of Australian children aren’t eating enough vegetables every day and that more than 1/3 of their daily intake comes from foods that are not nourishing their bodies and their mind. That’s an alarming statistic, can you expand on why the statistics are so high and why this is happening?
6. (13:56) I understand Dr Flav’s research team published a world-first study last year proving that there are benefits to eating the rainbow that goes beyond just the fruits and vegetables. What can you tell us about your findings? 
7. (15:26) In your article you list your top 5 tips on adding colour variety to your plate, can you go through them with us now?
8. (19:23) You mention in the article to eat the rainbow plus brown and white, what foods do you mean by that? 
9. (20:38) You mention that the more variety you are offered, the more you eat. This is called the ‘buffet effect’, can you expand on this?
10. (21:44) Does Colour variety also leads to greater food consumption, if so how? What is the 
11. (22:53) How can parents make it fun to involve children in making rainbow meals every day? 

 

For the full article, please go to: https://kiddipedia.com.au/why-we-need-to-ditch-the-go-for-2-and-5-message-when-it-comes-to-children/

Research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35807307/

 

Socials:

@drflavs (insta/twitter) 

facebook.com/drflav

linkedin.com/in/drflav

 

@foodiscool._ (insta)

facebook.com/foodissocool 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodiscool/

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You may have heard the proverb, it takes a village to raise a child, and for so many reasons in our hectic busy and stressful day-to-day lives these days it’s not always possible to receive direct support and guidance from our family and loved ones like generations before us had.

Thankfully, technology does have an upside, and that is that it gives us direct access to experts and thought leaders who can share their wisdom, knowledge and expertise to help us fill this gap. To help us build our virtual community of people we choose to help us ensure our children grow in a safe and healthy environment.

Not only do these experts share their knowledge and expertise through their qualifications, but additionally layering scientific studies and research on top of that, … to further inform and support us, which is what we are here to discuss.

Today I’m so excited to welcome a very special guest, one of our partners here at Kiddipedia and someone that I personally have a tone of admiration and respect for, the one and only Pinky McKay - one of Australia’s most recognised and respected breastfeeding experts.

Pinky for thousands and thousands of Mums has been the go-to resource and expert with her sage knowledge and wisdom on breastfeeding, one person we definitely need in our village, circle or tribe to help us raise our children.

We ask Pinky questions including:

1. (15:40) We published your article ‘New Treatment for Mastitis - What You Need to Know, tell us, what the article is about and what inspired you to write it

2.  

   (17:11) What is Mastitis, and what are the symptoms if you’re suffering from it?

3.  

   (18:36) What causes mastitis?

4.  

   (20:20) How can we prevent mastitis from developing?

5.  

   (21:47) I understand there are findings from new research from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine; what can you tell us about them?

6.  

   (29:23) Are there different types of mastitis?

7.  

   (29:52):What happens if Mastitis is left untreated?

8.  

   (30:00) How do you treat Mastitis? In your article, you list 7 points. Can you go through them with us now?

9.  

   (34:10) How does mastitis affect the baby, and what should Mothers do about it?

 

For the full article, please go to: https://kiddipedia.com.au/new-treatment-for-mastitis-what-you-need-to-know/

For further information, please visit:

Website: https://www.pinkymckay.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinky.mckay.fanpage

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkymckay1/

https://www.shopwithpinky.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aren’t children’s imaginations beautifully vivid and all so entertaining  When children create by drawing and or writing, it really is a sneak peek directly into their hearts and minds.

An opportunity to gain insight into seeing life through their lens and how they feel about the world around them, from their own unique point of view.

The importance of nurturing a child's love for reading, writing, and illustrating cannot be overstated. These creative pursuits are not just hobbies; they are gateways to endless possibilities, empowering children to explore their innermost thoughts, emotions, and dreams.

Now imagine an opportunity where children can be the architects of their own stories, where their vivid imaginations are unleashed onto the pages of a book with their own drawings, and their artistic talents bring colourful illustrations brought to life and yours to keep and cherish forever.

Well, this is not just a fantasy but a reality as our special guest today, Sophia Stefanos Managing Director of Schoolyard Stories who brings these opportunities to schools is here to talk to us about the importance of why we should nurture children's love for reading, writing, and illustrating and how we encourage children to embark on creative journeys to develop their literary and creative talents.

We ask Sophia questions including: 

Q1- Why do you think it’s so important for children to express their thoughts and emotions through storytelling? 

Q2- What are your thoughts on the correlation between the two? 

Q3- Tell us what inspired you to create Schoolyard Stories 

Q4 -What are your top ten reasons why children should get excited about reading, writing and illustrating through each of them with us now? 

Q5- I understand the process of writing, editing, and revising their work can help children refine their understanding of grammar, spelling, and syntax of sentence structure. Tell us a little bit more about that. 

Q6- I understand that Book publishing for children is open-ended. Can you confirm what that means? 

Q7- What are some specific examples of these open-ended opportunities? 

Q8- This initiative is an excellent way to celebrate Book Week, how can parents and schools get involved?

For the full article, please go to: https://kiddipedia.com.au/why-children-should-get-excited-about-reading-writing-and-illustrating-books/

For further information, please visit:

https://schoolyardstories.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/schoolyardstories/

https://www.facebook.com/schoolyardstories

https://twitter.com/systories?lang=en

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a parent who wants to help your child to read, write and spell with confidence, tune in as you’re in the right place. 

If you’re also a parent who went to primary school in the 80s or 90s and have noticed that the way we learnt to read back then was a completely different approach and technique then how your children are being taught today you’re not alone.

Today we’ll help point out the difference in these techniques so you can best support your child, as we welcome our special guest Olivia Durnan, an industry expert in the field of children's literacy. 

Olivia is a primary educator and is passionate about providing every student with the opportunity to read, write and spell with confidence. 

After many years in the classroom, Olivia transitioned to a role with Little Learners Love Literacy®. As their Teacher Coach Consultant, Olivia supports other educators in implementing the LLLL program and helping as many students as possible to become confident, successful readers. 

We ask Olivia questions including: 

1. I understand that in the past 20 years, there has been much debate and discussion about the best way to teach children to read, what has sparked this?

2. Could you please clarify what the difference is between the whole language approach that we learnt and phonics and phonemic awareness techniques used today?

3. Does reading out loud to your child help them learn to read?

4. What is the ‘science of reading’

5. What is phonics teaching and why is it important?

6. What is phonics-based reading instruction and what are the benefits?

7. How does this approach make reading less daunting for a child?

8. What are decodable books?

9. How do decodable books help children build their confidence and develop their reading fluency?

10. How can parents help their children?

 

For the full article, please go to:

https://kiddipedia.com.au/parents-guide-to-early-literacy-education/

 

Socials:

Facebook: /foodissocool

Instagram: misssinead._

LinkedIn: /misssinead

@foodiscool._
facebook.com/foodissocool
https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodiscool/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As parents, it’s our responsibility to provide children their best start to life. Did you know that a strong nutritional foundation and healthy future for children starts as early as 3 months prior to their conception, Yep!

You may have heard about the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and how it is a foundational period that shapes their development and wellbeing.

Today we are going to deep dive into what the First 1,000 days refers to and provide you with supportive evidence-based information and advice from an industry expert and our special guest Kristy Manners.

Kristy is a university-trained Dietitian, with a diverse health and nutrition background. She is an expert in Infant and Young Child Feeding and has over 15 years work experience as an Ambulance Paramedic in Western Australia. She has specialised in maternal and child nutrition, having trained in paediatric clinical dietetics through the Dieticians Association of Australia, Curtin University and Monash University.

Kristy is an IBCLC Lactation Consultant to better support mothers in providing optimum nutrition to their child.

She has also worked with the World Health Organisation (WHO), ICRC (Red Cross) and other international humanitarian organisations, with over 8 years experience managing malnutrition feeding centres and running maternal and child health and nutrition programs in Albania, Cambodia and Africa. This has given her further experience after completing her Masters in International Health in 2011.

We ask Kristy questions including:

1. What is the first 1000 days and how did it come about?
2. What are babies at risk of, due to inadequate nutrition during the prenatal phase?
3. What is the role of nutrients in preconception and DNA?
4. For couples planning to start their family what should they do to ensure their bodies have the optimal nutritional foundation?
5. How can a tailored nutrition plan can help both the Mum and Dad and what’s involved?
6. What would you say are the optimum conditions for conception?
7. What are some of the other conditions that can influence couples chances of conceiving?
8. What about men, what are some of the causes that may affect their sperm quality?
9. What are some of the nutrients that are most important during pregnancy and what are the possible effects if the baby is not exposed to them?
10. What is the impact on a babies brain development if they don’t have access to sufficient nutritional supply?
11. As a lactation consultant what are your key breastfeeding tips related to the first 1,000 days?
12. Why do you advocate for continuing to breastfeed when your baby begins solids?
13. What are your tips for optimal postpartum mental and physical healing?

 

For Kristy’s full article, please go to: https://kiddipedia.com.au/how-nutrition-impacts-mother-baby-during-the-first-1000-days/

 

For more details:

https://growthspectrum.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/growthspectrum

https://www.instagram.com/postnatalroadmap/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you were to explain to me what your children's play area at home looks and feels like, how would you describe it?

What sort of toys fill the play area? What type of mix of plastics? Woods? Fabrics are in there? 

How have you selected the toys that fill that area?

Have you been strategic in a way that every toy has an intended play purpose? Or not? Either is fine and neither is wrong. 

With so many recent changes in the world, have you ever looked at your children's toys with the view of determining their eco-friendliness and sustainability? once again, absolutely no judgement here.

The concept of introducing sustainable toys into your children's playroom and making the choice to move to purchase eco-friendly sustainable toys is a new phenomenon for many of us.

So, what if you could find a toy that not only looked great, is safe, promotes cognitive development in children, is eco-friendly, sustainable, cost-effective and lastly is made in Australia and supports our economy? Where can I find this gem? Well, lucky for us I've found that very thing and we are here to talk with their founder and creator, Damiano Gestri. 

We ask Damiano questions including:

1. What are your thoughts on the importance of purchasing sustainable products in our lives, generally?
2. How and why did you make the switch towards eco-friendliness and sustainability?
3. What makes a toy 'Sustainable'? 
4. Can you tell us a little bit of your back story as inspiration for how Play Edo bricks came to life?
5. In your article, you list the top 8 benefits your child can get from the giant building blocks, could you go through them with us now? 
6. Please explain what is the Montessori approach.
7. What is open-ended play? and what are the benefits? 
8. How do cardboard toys help support sustainability?
9. Why should parents grandparents, friends and family Gift children Cardboard Toys?

For the full article, please visit: https://kiddipedia.com.au/what-are-the-benefits-of-cardboard-building-blocks-for-children-advice-and-buying-guide/

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Unleash your children's creativity with an eco-friendly toy that's gentle on the planet. Engaging, easy to assemble, and safe to play with, your kids will love our Edo building blocks.

Visit https://www.playedo.com.au/ for details.

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