The Kids First Blog

Does your child struggle to remember times tables? Kids First’s fully qualified maths teachers share 5 of their favourite tricks for learning times tables more easily. 4 times tables – No trouble when you can double If your child is able to double a number, the 4 times table can be made much easier Just […]

Did you know that, old-fashioned nursery rhymes offer children a fantastic opportunity to develop their language? Research has shown that children who know how to rhyme have developed an understanding of sounds and words…and this is a helpful step in their early literacy. So, don’t stop playing rhyming games just because your child is no […]

Your son or daughter’s speech and language development begins before they say their first words. This helpful chart, shared by the speech therapists at Kids First in Sydney’s northern beaches, will help you determine if your child is reaching their speech and language developmental milestones. All children are different and the age at which they […]

“Rain, rain, go away, come again another day!” Being stuck inside because of wet weather is a challenge for active, curious kids. While computer games, iPads and DVDs are a good standby on a rainy day, sometimes they are more trouble than they are worth, especially when they cause sibling squabbles and petty arguments. So what can […]

  According to latest research, children in Australia today are stroller-bound for longer than ever before. Experts say that over-use of strollers use is discouraging our kids from being active and independent… and that this can long term effects on your child.  Professor Louise Baur, Director of Weight Management Services at The Children’s Hospital at […]

Unsure if your child has the skills needed to start school successfully next year? Here’s independent advice and a free checklist to help you make an informed decision. In NSW, your child can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five on or before 31 July in that year. By […]

Want to help your child develop the fine motor skills needed for success at school? The children’s occupational therapists at Kids First share 10 easy, at-home activities that are not only fun, but beneficial too! When you help your child to develop strong hand and finger muscles, you are building the foundations for handwriting and […]

Does your child struggle with: Poor Concentration? Inability to pay attention? A lack of coordination? Poor gross- and/or fine motor skills? Poor organisation? Erratic behaviour? Mood swings? Motion sickness? Or, does your child have: An unusual fear of motion or changes of space (swings/being up high)? An unusual preference for fast moving or risky activities? […]

Do your children become overwhelmed by the enormity of homework? Nightly reading, spelling and maths tasks are complicated in later primary school and high school by assignments and projects. Sometimes it’s hard for kids, who are also trying to fit extra curricula sport, music and interest activities in to an already packed weekly routine, to […]

What is the right tool for kids to use when they are learning to hold a pencil? Small crayons break, pencil tips fall off, little hands aren’t strong enough to make a line on the page with pencils and textas end up on the walls. These are all difficulties parents face when encouraging children to […]

When Kids First’s Child Psychologists saw the picture below, which was originally posted by Essential Kids , they were keen to share it with you…. Studies have shown that parents and children who spend quality time together enjoy stronger long-term bonds that help kids to be resilient. Could you find 10 minutes in which you, […]

Chaotic mornings, afternoon meltdowns and bedtime arguments…sound familiar?For kids with special needs, transitions from one part of the day to another can be particularly trying, and when everyone is tired, hungry or in a hurry, emotions can run high. So how can you, as a busy parent, meet your child’s needs in a way that […]

As your children grow, they learn ways to cope with the sights, sounds, smells, touches and tastes that they are exposed to in the world around them. Childhood also exposes kids to new feelings and experiences. Some of these are exciting and fun, others are worrying and unpredictable. If your child is particularly sensitive to their […]

Each child learns language at a different pace but there is a general pattern of early language development that we expect most children to follow. Language learning starts at birth. Babies start to have conversation-like interactions with their parents and siblings by vocalising and exchanging glances. They cry and frown to communicate hunger, pain and […]

Rachel DarutyPaediatric Speech PathologistKids First Children’s Services 2014 Have you ever had a preschool or primary school teacher tell you that your child is having difficulty following directions? Perhaps your child copies the behaviours of other children or you sometimes notice that your child has difficulty following instructions at home. It is very important for […]