Kinderling Conversation

Newly separated Mum Kristen Toovey has embraced online dating, and she says it's the perfect solution for this phase of her life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 27 Early Childhood Educators across Australia will "walk off" the job in protest of low wages and lack of industrial support. Samantha Page is the CEO fo Early Childhood Australia. She explains what the walk off means for parents, the complications around subsidies, and what needs to change in order for worker and family rights to be met.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents get a lot of advice about what will help their child thrive. But is starting music from a young age one of them? We love music at Kinderling and decided to speak to Sophie Maxwell from Musical Adventures about the profound benefits of introducing babies to music right from the start.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tell Me Baby is a website where parents upload their reviews on products for other parents to read. Much like the Facebook hive mind only bigger and always switched on! Content Editor Mim Jenkinson takes us through their top three sleep products as picked by parentsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mothercraft Nurse looks into why a 17 month old would be hitting their parents, how to help a 3 year old who has nightmares, which order to try and get a two year old toilet trained, weaned and in a "big girl" bed, and more of your questionsChris MinogueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first episode of the fresh-look Parent Panel journalists Jacinta Tynan and John Mangos join Shevonne Hunt to look at the week that was in parenting. From the hilarious quirks of being sassed by your child in public, to the nitty gritty of a recent news piece crticising working parents for being too consumed by capitalism. Plus how talking about body image is different for boys, and helping little ones cope with big changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've been with a child as they learn how to read you'll know how hard that can be. Imagine trying to learn how to read when you have Dyslexia? Wendy Fitzgerald is an author who wrote a book about this experience with Indigo, a child who was diagnosed with dyslexia when she was 5 years old. Joining her to explain how to pick up dyslexia and how to support your child is Dr Robyn Wheldall, Director of MULTILIT (Making Up Lost Time in Literacy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The performing arts are traditionally seen as extra-curricular, "fun" activities. But Dr Michael Anderson says that they deserve a central place in our education system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children tend to be very curious creatures, but did you know you can massage that curiosity into a love of STEM subjects? Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths have been touted as the "must-know" subjects for the future. Producer Sally Knight speaks to Murphy Peoples from Museums Victoria about why they're important subjects and how you can explore them at home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a topic you might not come across until your child is about to start school, but if their birthday falls in the first half of the year, chances are you will stumble across it. Dr Amanda Mergler is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Early Childhood Education at the Queensland University of Technology. She talks about her research on why children are being held back. We also hear from Mum Leonie Percy about why she wishes she'd held her son back.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many families have two working parents, which makes caring for kids and domestic work a juggle. Are workplaces keeping pace with the need for flexible work, or are professional nannies a solution to the problem? And if they are the solution, how can it be affordable? Marian Baird, Professor of Gender and Employment relations at the University of Sydney and Lousie Dunham, CEO of Placement Solutions attempt to answer these many questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first day of school is a big step for the whole family, but what's the best way to manage the year that follows? Psychologist Karen Young from Hey Sigmund! shares her tips on how we can support our kids through their first year at school.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this weeks' episode Mothercraft Nurse looks into possible reasons a 3 year old refuses to sleep in their own bed, a 2.5 year old who hits themselves when they don't get their way, a 'vocal' 8 month old who learnt how to scream and won't stop, and much more. To ask Chris your own questions you can email us at conversation@kinderling.com.auChris MinogueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heading into the year, slowly getting back into the routine of school and day-care drop offs, normal work hours and home routine, it can begin to feel like everything is falling about you. Penny Gibson is a mental health clinician and counsellor who believes that this time of year doesn't have to be hell for families. And she explains how.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no doubt that your relationship changes after children. But what happens when it changes irreparably? Is co-parenting even possible? Karen Kristjanson is an author who believes it's not only possible, but it's vital for the long term benefit of your children. So if that's the goal, how do we achieve it without feeling miserable yourself as a parent?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For some Australians, January 26th is a day to be proud of our national achievements. But our history when it comes to Indigenous Australians, is far from something to be proud of. Katie Beckett is an Indigenous playwright, actor and Mum. She believes honesty that is age appropriate is the best way to create understanding and acceptance for the next generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tired of Twinkle Twinkle? Think Humpty Dumpty is just a bit *too weird*? Musician Benny Time has just released a new album a kids album with brand new nursery rhymes without all the historical reflections on death and the plague.He and Angie Who jump in the studio with Shevonne to sing a song from the album, and chat about what kids love about music. Beyond The Little Star: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chyloe Kurdas, founder of and equality advocate, has previously explained how we can raise strong girls. In this interview she talks about how important it is to raise boys to create an equitable world for both genders. And how we need to look at the little things in our homes and families that impact our boys' growth.Own Journey TravelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can be confronting when your child wets the bed as they get older. But apparently it's more common than we think. Physiotherapist and women's health advocate Heba Shaheeb tells us what we can do about it, and when to get help. For more from Heba check out her website The Pelvic ExpertSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of Alice in Wonderland, what do you imagine? Blonde, blue eyed girls drinking strange potions? Producer Michael Sieders has brought an Australian-styled Alice to the stage, with the lead Dubs Yunupingu bucking the traditional approach to Alice. Dubs talks about her version of the adventurous heroine, and why this version of Alice in Wonderland is so unique.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.