Family Times’ feature articles cover a variety of hot topics related to family living and parenting. From health and education to parenting tips and tough-to-tackle subjects, we aim to bring you up-to-date, relevant, informative and interesting articles.
Your child’s education is a key component to set them up for a successful life. But education is much more than just the three Rs; it’s also about choosing the right school for your child, exploring technology, encouraging innovation and creativity, and much more.
Like most parents, I try to do everything to get my children ready for school each year: register them, pay fees, buy school supplies and new clothes, check out their new classroom, and talk with them about how much fun the upcoming school year will be. It seems like we should be all set – [...]
Reading is an essential element to leading a better life. Research shows that children who grow up in homes where books and reading material are readily available go further in school than those who don’t. Children with low-education families can do as well as children with high-education families if they have access to a wide [...]
So you’re thinking about home education. Here are some tips to help you make an effective plan to get started. 1) Goals If you are intending to apply for a Ministry of Education exemption to home educate your child, the best way to start to prepare for the application is to identify your goals. If [...]
Most parents cannot wait for the magical age of five to come around. They’ve survived the sleepless nights, the toilet training, the inquisitive stage and the 24-7 on-demand lifestyle, all to reach this rite of passage. Sure, they are bound to shed a few tears and have a little separation anxiety, but the day they [...]
Are you confused about your options when it comes to sending your teen to secondary school in New Zealand? This time is an important one in terms of a young person’s education, so it’s good to consider your options and give yourself time to choose the best high school available. Remember too, it isn’t just [...]
Books play a critical role in shaping who we are and what we become. It is vital, as parents, that we understand the critical importance of reading to our children. They will need strong literacy skills to survive and succeed in the 21st century. After all, today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. They will be the [...]
In many New Zealand homes parents are beginning to speak to their children in both English and Maori in an attempt to raise a more culturally aware and a naturally bilingual youth. Interested in learning more Maori? Here are some hints and tips to refresh, reinforce and begin learning Maori around the home. Label it [...]
We all know that kids love to play, but many of us would be astounded if we knew how much they learn at the same time. In fact, play is a child’s work – even if they don’t know it. Two children spinning around and around on the front lawn may just be trying to [...]
In today’s world we are faced with many environmental and sustainability issues. These issues range from global climate change to national water use to local waste disposal. The issues are complex and there are many different perspectives on how to address them. One thing is pretty much agreed upon by everyone though – we all [...]
One of the most difficult things for young musicians is practicing. It’s boring, they say. Parents are frequently so frustrated that they’re ready to give up on the instrument. However, with a little cooperation between parents and teachers, motivating young musicians to practice isn’t too difficult. First, realise that young kids have short attention spans. [...]
