Resources for caregivers

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 …

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

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 …

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

Are you an experienced and fully qualified Early Childhood Teacher seeking to extend your impact beyond the classroom? Join us to shape young minds, collaborate with a dynamic multidisciplinary team, and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. When you join the Kids First Children’s Services as an Early Intervention Specialist, you’ll enjoy a fulfilling career path that nurtures growth, supports continuous learning, and celebrates your dedication to making a genuine impact. Watch our video to discover the rewarding opportunities that await you!

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 […]

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.

Children’s friendship needs and skills change as they grow. Their ideas about what friendship actually is also changes as they develop. There are 5 stages that children go through as they learn to make and keep friends. Kids First’s Child Psychologists often refer parents to this 5 step framework by Robert Selman that helps families understand developmental […]