Short & Curly

Do you have a favourite game? Maybe it's 'tip' or 'snap'? There are rules everywhere: from playing a game, watching TV, and even how to ask a question in class. But where there are rules, there are often loopholes.

Are loopholes always bad? What if you're not hurting anyone?

Thank you to Eloise for this loopy question

The word ‘independent’ often sits with other words – like independent learning, independent thinking, independent adult, and lots more.  

So, what is independence and at what age should we get it?  

Thank you to Leela for this thoughtful question! 

Getting comfortable can feel warm, nice, and sometimes even soothing. So, when we're happily floating along in life, a sudden tide change can really rock the boat.

How do you deal with change? Should you be scared?

Thank you to Kira for today's amazing question!

Beliefs can shape the way someone speaks, acts, and even dreams. Everyone believes different things, but sometimes those things aren’t true. 

If your friend’s belief isn’t quite right, should you tell them? Does it really matter if it’s true or not? 

Thank you to India for this curious question! 

Lots of adults think children should never swear. Many Short & Curly listeners tell us they secretly swear behind their parent’s backs. So what’s wrong with swearing anyway? Aren't they just harmless words? 

Brains Trust – Anula Primary School, Darwin:  Mariah, Megan, Dylan, Aeldrich, Lily 

Have you ever wanted to give someone a taste of their own medicine? They might have hurt you or been mean to you or taken something that's yours. But is it okay to do the same thing back to them?

Brains Trust – Anula Primary School, Darwin: Maggie, Feranmi, Leo, Oli, Esha, Marjorie

Short & Curly listener Luca often gets stared at when he is in his wheelchair. His parents think the people who look too long are just being curious but Luca thinks it's just plain rude. So when does curiosity become rudeness? And how can we be curious about someone's difference without hurting their feelings?

Brain Trust — Casuarina Street Primary School, Katherine: Bruno, Leilani, Eloise Lawson, Lexi, Kodah

There are about 10 quintillion insects in the world. Yes, that's a real number. And it's a lot! They're very small and very different from us humans. We might not stop to think about it before we poison a cockroach, squish an ant with our shoe, or kill a mosquito, but is it ethical to kill an insect?

Brain Trust — Casuarina Street Primary School, Katherine: Riley, Mahlia, Milo, Clay, Angus, Ava

War, environmental destruction, inequality. We humans can do some pretty bad stuff. Lots of listeners have asked us if humans are more good than they are bad. Maybe it's time for you to be the judge.

Brains Trust – Anula Primary School, Darwin: Mariah, Megan, Dylan, Aeldrich, Lily

Extra:

Brain Trust — Casuarina Street Primary School, Katherine: Bruno, Leilani, Eloise Lawson, Lexi, Kodah

Brains Trust – Anula Primary School, Darwin: Maggie, Feranmi, Leo, Oli, Esha, Marjorie

If you love watching cartoons where the good guys battle the bad, it probably has fighting, explosions, and maybe guns too.

Is it okay to watch violence if it's in a cartoon? Can we laugh and find it funny?

Thank you to Linus for this exciting question!