The Kids First Blog

The latest NDIS changes could directly impact the support your child receives, especially if they’re under 9. Learn how these updates to funding and plan reviews might affect your child’s services, and how to prepare for upcoming foundational supports over the next 18 months

Concerned your child may have Dyslexia? Here, the Kids First team shares the signs you should look for

Connecting with your child’s teacher in Term 4 can be tricky, especially during their busiest time of year. Discover simple, respectful ways to communicate with teachers before the end-of-year rush and ensure your child is ready for the next school year.

Wondering when your child might benefit from seeing a psychologist? This blog from Kids First’s psychology team covers the signs to look out for, different therapy options by age, and how to access child psychology services in NSW to support your child’s mental health.

Wondering when your child might benefit from seeing a psychologist? This blog from Kids First’s psychology team covers the signs to look out for, different therapy options by age, and how to access child psychology services in NSW to support your child’s mental health.

Wondering how speech therapy can help your child improve their communication skills? Discover the techniques that speech pathologists use to support children to have clearer speech, better language development, and confident social interactions.

Are you exploring funding options for your autistic child beyond the NDIS? There are several supports available through Medicare. Learn more about the funding support you can access to ensure your child receives the care they need here.

Children and teens often want to be a good friend, but sometimes a peer’s struggles can be well beyond their experience or scope. Here, the Kids First team shares practical ways to help your child support their friends without feeling responsible for fixing everything. Learn how to guide your child in setting healthy boundaries while still being a caring friend.

Is your child feeling more tired or overwhelmed as the term wraps up? Fatigue and changes in wellbeing are common, but they can be tough to manage. Learn how to spot the signs of physical and emotional exhaustion and discover practical ways to support your child through the end of Term 3 here

It can be tough to know if a child is facing bullying or just dealing with a normal conflict with peers. Understanding the difference is key. Learn more about what bullying really means and what you can do to support your child if you suspect they’re being bullied here.

Orientation days give children and families a sneak peak at their new school. Find out how to make the most of this valuable opportunity here

Did you know that child-led play can strengthen your bond with your child, ignite their creativity, and support their growth in ways that feel natural and joyful? Get great ideas from the Kids First team here.

Is your child ready for life after school? Kids First’s Wise Choices Careers Advisors share some of the new options for study, jobs and life beyond the school gate

Kids First shares advice from experienced teachers about the skills children need to start school successfully

Kids First’s occupational therapists share fun and effective ways, to help your child develop essential throwing and catching skills for successful play

Learn how essential communication skills can protect your child from harm. Discover practical tips to teach your child to speak up and stay safe.

Dealing with backchat and talking back can be challenging for parents. Discover practical tips to manage these behaviours effectively and encourage respectful communication in your child. Find out more here.

We asked teachers what the most important school readiness skills are for children. Here’s one of the most common answers they gave

Dealing with backchat and talking back can be challenging for parents. Discover practical tips to manage these behaviours effectively and encourage respectful communication in your child. Find out more here.

What is the cut-off date for your child to start school and what skills do they need to succeed? Find out here.

Meeting with your child’s teachers soon? Kids First’s speech therapists share their top questions to ask

Some children need a little extra support to thrive and not just cope at preschool. Learn how Early Intervention Specialists can help your child to succeed here …

Does your child struggle to say sounds clearly? Kids First’s speech therapist explain what sounds your child should be able to say and when. Get ideas for how you can help at home here …

Does your child struggle with the rules of play and making friends? Learn from our multidisciplinary team at Kids First how to gently guide their social skills, one playdate at a time.

Want to make the most of your child’s speech and occupational therapy sessions? The Kids First team explains how mobile sessions help children learn and practice ‘real world’ skills

Unique needs shouldn’t hold children back! This guide explores how Early Intervention unlocks a child’s potential through personalised support to build their social and communication skills.

Does your sensitive child struggle with telling ‘News’ and speaking to groups? Kids First’s speech therapists and child psychologists share helpful tips to calm your child’s ‘news nerves’ here…

Worried about how to talk with your kids about troubling events in the news? Kids First’s child psychologists share practical tips here

Does sibling rivalry spoil your time as a family? Get practical strategies from Child Psychologists in Sydney’s northern beaches

Does your child (0-6) experience developmental delays? Learn if they qualify for NDIS Early Intervention funding. Get the facts about eligibility & applying here from Kids First’s experienced team here.

Is your preschool buzzing with strong-willed toddlers? Help parents navigate the ‘terrible twos and threes’ with a workshop delivered by Sonja Walker. Sonja offers practical solutions to common child behaviour concerns. Get the details here!

Is your sensitive child struggling to do what other kids their age have the confidence to enjoy? Here, Kids First’s Child Psychologists share the signs of children who have anxiety

Does your child struggle to take turns? Here, Kids First’s Child Psychologists share practical tips for teaching your child to be a more positive playmate

Is your child easily distracted, fidgety and impulsive? Here, Kids First’s Child Psychologist share some positive ways to look at the hidden strengths of children who have ADHD

Are you grappling with your child’s separation anxiety? Kids First’s experienced child psychology team offers 5 effective ways to ease their anxiety, including fun goodbye rituals, gradual exposure, safe environment practice, and positive reinforcement.

Does your child struggle to concentrate in the classroom? Here, Kids First’s Occupational Therapists share ideas about using fidgets to support focus and attention

Concerned about how your anxious child is coping at school and need to talk to their teacher? Here, Kids First’s psychologists offer practical and effective tips so that you can make the most of parent-teacher meetings.

Need ways to help your child with ASD build better social skills? Here are 5 easy ideas to practice at home from Kids First’s therapy team

Is your anxious child dreading their return to school? In this helpful resource, members of the Kids First team share practical school holiday strategies that you can use at home to help your child make a smooth and confident start to the term.

Discover six budget-friendly, engaging activities for your kids during the summer holidays in our latest blog. From backyard adventures to creative cooking, these ideas are perfect for families looking to balance screen time with fun, educational experiences. Perfect for children aged 5-12, these activities promise memorable moments without breaking the bank.

Are you wondering if the NDIS can be the lifeline your child needs to overcome developmental challenges, even without a formal disability diagnosis? Read here as the Kids First team explains how your child may be able to access funding that will change their life for the better.

Double the impact of your child’s speech therapy sessions by using the right toys & games at home. Kids First’s experienced therapists share great ideas here

Looking for ways to help your 3-10 year old gracefully navigate the end-of-year school rush without meltdowns? Here, Kids First’s child psychologists share practical tips to use as you help your child to thrive through transitions and embrace resilience.

Concerned about potential signs of autism in a child you care about? Here, the Kids first team shares some key behaviours to look out for..

Kids First’s professional team explains the connection between ADHD and executive functioning in children. Improve your understanding how it influences their social, emotional, and learning development here …

More and more families are seeking the support of an independent Careers Advisor before their teenagers leave school. Find out how expert careers advice helps kids make better choices and avoid costly careers mistakes

Kids First’s child psychology team delves into the profound importance of supporting your anxious child at home and explains why what you do and say can make such a difference to your sensitive son or daughter’s world.

When children bite instead of ‘using their words’, it can be very concerning. Often there’s good reason for this behaviour. Kids First’s speech therapists explain why some children bite and how you can help

It’s natural for our teenagers to feel uncertain about the direction they want to take after high school. The good news is that they don’t have to navigate this journey alone. With the power of Careers Advice, kids get the guidance and support they need to make informed choices about life, work and study options

Parents are sometimes so used to their child’s way of communicating that they miss the signs of a child who is a late talker. Here Kids First’s speech therapists share the speech and language milestones you should be on the lookout for

Taking your child to speech therapy for the first time can be a bit nerve-wracking, but it’s an incredibly important step in helping your child improve their communication skills. Here’s what you can expect at Kids First

With everything that is going on in our world today, how can we address the questions that our children might have about ANZAC Day? Kids First’s psychologists share helpful tips here …

Teaching your children to speak clearly is super important because it helps them communicate with others in a way that makes sense! When children can speak clearly, they can express their thoughts and feelings, make new friends, and do well in school. Here, Kids First’s speech therapists share practical tips for parents

How clear should your preschooler’s speech be? Kids First’s speech pathologists explain what is typical intelligibility for children aged 2-6 and why helping young children speak clearly is crucial for their social, emotional, and academic development.

Anxiety is a common experience for children, and as a parent, it’s important to understand the different types of anxiety your child may be experiencing. By recognising the signs and symptoms of anxiety, you can help your child manage their emotions and support them through their struggles. Here, the Kids First psychology team explores the six types of anxiety most commonly experienced by children and offers tips for supporting your child’s mental health.

Worried about your child’s speech? Kids First’s experienced speech therapists share the signs to watch out for so that you know when to seek help for your son or daughter

The Cool Kids Anxiety Program is a wonderful resource for children and adolescents who are struggling with anxiety. If your child is struggling with anxiety, this program may be just what they need to feel better and regain their confidence.

Supporting a distressed child who doesn’t want help can be challenging. Kids First’s psychology team shares tips to help you respect their autonomy and provide care in a way that works for them.

Have you ever stopped to think about the importance of teaching kids to follow instructions? Not only does it help keep them safe in various situations, but it also sets them on the path towards independence and success in school. Get easy tips to help your kids learn to listen here …

Children need strong fine motor skills so that they can succeed in their classroom and playground. Here, Kids First’s occupational therapists share their favourite fine motor game sot play at home

If your child goes to speech therapy, playing with the right toys at home is a great way to speed up their progress. Get this great list of best toys for toddlers from Kids First’s speech therapy team

When children don’t meet speech milestones (or are delayed in meeting them) it can be a huge worry for parent and educators. This helpful guide from Kids First’s experienced Speech Pathology team will help you to be able to make informed choices for the children you care about.

Along with learning to walk, learning to talk is one of the most anticipated milestones for toddlers. If you are a parent or teacher and are concerned about the speech and language skills of a toddler you love, this advice from Kids First’s experienced speech pathologists could help.

In isolation, occasional negative self-talk is natural, but there are times when it’s important to take your child’s negative self-talk seriously. Here, the Kids First team suggests 3 easy ways to respond to your child’s self-doubt

Separation Anxiety affects thousands of Australian children. Fear that something might happen to someone they love has a huge impact on kids’ wellbeing, Here, Kids FIrst’s psychologist share ideas about how you can help

We all lose our tempers sometimes, but why do some children find it so hard to control their feelings? Kids First’s child psychologists explain why kids have tantrum and the importance of setting boundaries

Kids learn ethical values by watching the actions of adults they respect. So how can parents instill good values in their kids? Child psychologists from Sydney share tips …

It may not surprise you to know that, if we want our children to be kind, moral and caring people, we need to raise them that way. According to the team at Harvard University’s Making Caring Common Project ¹, there are three key ways to encourage your child to show kindness and care. 1. Make […]

What do your children’s teachers REALLY need you to know? Here, we let you in on some ‘insider’ secrets from school staffrooms.

The end of the year is a tircky time for many kids. Kids First’s Child Psychologists share commonsense tips to support your children when routines are out of whack and excitement is high

One of the trickiest things about starting school in Australia is that every state seems to do it differently!
Here the Kids First team explains the age at which children can start school in each Australian state

  A psychologist who works with children on Sydney’s northern beaches says that while it is normal for children to occasionally become bored with one another, time spent with siblings is an important part of building family relationships and teaching kids to co-operate, respect, and compromise with others. According to psychologist Linda Gilford from Kids […]

If you have health insurance with one of Australia’s health funds, your ‘extras’ benefits may reset on 1 January and what you haven’t used will be gone. Get helpful advice to make the most of your policy here

Managing mean kids in the playground can be easier when your child knows what to say. Teacher and Kids First Children’s Services founder, Sonja Walker, shares 10 easy responses to teach your child to make handling the politics of the playground easier. When a child is being bullied, it’s easy for adults to tell them to […]

Choosing a school is a huge decision that many parents agonize over for years. In this excerpt from her best-selling book, SCHOOL READY: A practical and supportive guide for parents with sensitive kids, Kids First founder Sonja Walker shares tips to help you make the most of information nights and school tours.

Worried about the way your 2-3 year old speaks? This parent-friendly guide gives the 5 most common signs that your child might need the support of a speech therapist. This professional advice is given by children’s Speech Pathologists from Kids First Children’s Services in Sydney’s northern beaches. Toddlers often mispronounce words and have trouble putting […]

Are you concerned about how your sensitive child with unique needs will fit in when ‘big school’ begins? Get practical advice from school readiness expert and author, Sonja Walker

If your child is starting school next year, find out what to do, and importantly – what NOT to do – at your son or daughter’s Orientation Day

Cliques are part of life’s social landscape and being left out of a group is hard for children. Kids First’s child psychologists share things that you can do to help your child maintain self-respect and confidence while negotiating cliques and playground politics.

Having dyslexia doesn’t mean that a child is not clever. It means they have trouble with reading and other skills that involve language. Dyslexia is a learning difference that makes reading difficult. It often runs in families and affects up to 10 percent of Australians.

Does your child’s behaviour go from zero to 100 in a moment? Here, the Kids First team explains why children have meltdowns and how you can help them manage difficult moments

Making and keeping a friend is not always straightforward, and without the right approach, children can encounter challenges that seem daunting. Here, the Kids First team shares a brief overview that explains how kids’ social skills develop from their toddler to teenage years.