Wellbeing

The winning poems in the annual Student Poetry Competition run by Independent Schools Victoria have been drawn from close to 600 entries from schools across the state.

What to consider when your teen asks for a non-alcoholic beer or wine, self-care tips for parents from mental health experts and how to help young people with dyslexia.

Handwriting is not just about forming letters, write Lucinda McKnight and Maria Nicholas. It also develops fine motor skills, helps with memory and even wellbeing – so AI has not made it redundant.

Families with multiple children will likely experience sibling conflict at some point, writes Dr Deborah Trengove. Here she shares what parents can do to help restore calm to the household.

Feeling exhausted, fed-up and disconnected can result in parental burnout, writes Alan Ralph. He shares four positive ideas parents can implement for their own wellbeing.

Comparison can drive us to improve but as Amber Sowden writes, it can also lead to self-criticism. Here she offers helpful advice on how to respond to a child in the habit of negative comparison.

Do you have a bossy first-born, who sees themselves as your deputy in the family? Dr Judith Locke explains why the role of constant helper isn't always great for your child.

There is a strong case for teaching meditation in schools, with studies showing it delivers benefits for students in many areas, writes Lea Waters.

Australia is lagging behind the world in still allowing parents to physically punish their children, writes Sophie Havighurst. She argues we must make it illegal.