School Shorts

Cara Zelas is a U.S-based early childhood educator who speaks at conferences and in classrooms around the world about her work with 'Big World of Little Dude'. She shares how parents can build essential life skills at home, including resilience, manners, and emotional regulation. She also unpacks how technology is currently used in classrooms and why she believes digital apps should never replace face-to-face interaction. This is NOT a discussion to try and make parents feel guilty about screen-time or devices. No-one here is pretending we are perfect parents! What it IS is a discussion around bringing in human connection skills that set kids up for the world in which they will operate with artificial intelligence very much embedded in their lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Scott believes a cornerstone of childhood fun and experience is at risk. He is the founder of Barefooted and teaches outdoor education by giving school students and hosting community events so that kids get to experience all the things they might usually learn on school camp on a more regular basis. Harry believes outdoor play is vital for childhood development and for reconnecting kids with nature in an increasingly digital world. He shares his ideas for parents about how to help with building confidence, safety skills and creativity with simple, and mostly completely free activities ..even when it's raining! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hear from the Principal of Lemonwood Grove, among the biggest primary schools by roll in New Zealand. The area has had its fair share of major local traumas like the Christchurch earthquakes and mosque attacks as well as covid. These experiences reminded Blair Dravitski of just how important schools are as part of the community in managing anxiety not just for students but for their extended families too. On top of navigating those crises, the school has had explosive growth and has a wonderful diversity with families representing 47 different countries. Blair explains how he came to dislike the words 'difficult, challenging or hard' when it comes to communication. He expects staff to send direct, positive emails to families every week to build genuine relationships and communication. His insights are useful for any parent or educator wanting to help build positive relationships with the school and home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Children starting school without the skills needed for learning, are more likely to start on the back foot when it comes to the reading, writing and other skills that are assessed in the curriculum. Andrea Ford and Carolynne Masson work with families and communities to strengthen all those foundation skills through Ready 4 Learning. With backgrounds in teaching and school leadership, they discuss their thoughts on learning through play and structured literacy expertise. Ande and Carlolynne have lots of tips for parents about the best ways to develop language, movement and emotional wellbeing. We also discuss the impact of Covid - did it cause or accelerate certain challenges? or were those challenges already apparent in early education? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tami Harris is the CEO of Acorn Neurodiversity and a passionate advocate of better support for children and young people who are neurodivergent. This episode is especially useful if you are a parent overwhelmed or unsure of the diagnosis process, a teacher pondering strategies for diverse learners or anyone who wants to better understand the terms neurodiversity v neurodivergent thinking.Tami talks about why a multi-disciplinary approach is so often needed, combining speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural science, and mental health.The discussion covers specific strategies to advocate for your child, navigate long waitlists, and interpret early signs before school age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mohan Nair has written what he calls 'the nutrition label for AI'. Rather than a 'warning label', this is just saying here are all the ingredients we need to be aware of so that we can use AI in a way that benefits our health rather than the other way around. More specifically in this episode we are looking at the ways in which children and young people an prepare to become 'Unreachable'. This is the title of Mohan's book. After much research in the corporate world where he has worked with innovators from companies across the spectrum, Mohan has analysed what that world will want from its future workforce and the real, practical advice he would offer to families who want to prepare their children to be AI-enabled, rather than AI-afraid or AI-obsessed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nancy Young is the creator of the infographic the Ladder of Reading and Writing which explains reading skills as a continuim. Nancy is also the Co-Editor of the 2024 book 'Climbing the Ladder of Reading and Writing: Meeting the Needs of All Learners' Here she also talks about exceptionalities that can co-occur alongside dyslexia, including ADHD, DLD and giftedness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Principal Steve McCracken doesn't want a student to be able to go through a day at school and not have a teacher or school leader say their name or greet them for a chat. It is one of the things he fears losing with growing school rolls as the Principal of Whangaparāoa College in Auckland, New Zealand. While there are many benefits of growth and the resource and specialisation it can offer. The school is looking at innovative strategies to give students the same experience they might get at a smaller school where the relationship with teachers is a benefit because of much time they are able to get to spend with a student to get to know them. Is returning to a homeroom style class more beneficial than going to a range of specialist teachers? The school is on a mission to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last we spoke to Jo Knox on the podcast we looked at what birth month was best for academic success. There has not been a lot of specific research on this topic but there are some indicators which point to being the oldest in your school year leads to better educational outcomes. That might not necessarily be surprising but what is interesting is a new survey has found that a large percentage of teachers spoken to, believe the current enrolment process is inequitable and leads to unfair and unnecessary pressure on some teachers and some students. Pressure that could ultimately end up influencing their school journey. We look at the results of the survey, the barriers to change and what you can do if your child is caught up in a situation where they might be disadvantaged because of where their birthday falls. In the episode to follow this, we will be speaking with a representative from the Ministry of Education in New Zealand about the reasonings behind the specific rolling enrolment process and what they might look to investigate at some point in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not sure if your child's reading progress or the teaching they are getting is going too fast or too slow? This is a common discussion among parents at the school gate and the answer is going to be very individualised depending on your child and their teacher. However, it's really important to have some information about how it all works so you can make a decision about whether it is something that is worth raising (remember if your gut says you should, then it's always a good idea to chat with a teacher!) Louise Payne, a former teacher and expert in literacy development with Learning Matters, shares insights about understanding the process and the pace of teaching. She explains 'phonological awareness', the best ways to support reading at home and why it's not just about decoding words but understanding the story behind them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karina McHardy shares a personal story but one that will resonate with any parent who has had to advocate for their child's needs, whether it be additional assistance or learning needs in school. Karina shares the story of her son's autism diagnosis and the overwhelming silence she felt which followed. With no roadmap for support, Karina has fought for personalised support and questioned when there has been obstacles. She has written about her experience in a book called 'All In' which she has just launched ahead of World Autism Awareness Day. Karina also shares why the phrase 'everyone is on the spectrum' is something we should reconsider. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A study of school readiness found as many as 90 percent of primary schools surveyed said there was an increase in the number of new entrant students coming to school not knowing basic skills like holding a basic conversation, identifying their name or being able to go to the toilet independently. This episode explores the critical skills children need before starting school, the impact of COVID-19, and how parents and educators can work together to prepare children for a successful educational journey. Lucy Naylor from Auckland Primary Principals Association joins ECE Leader Kelly Seaburg to look at the reasons why we are seeing a decline in basic skills as well as offering practical tips for parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Online Schools and Alpha Schools have had a massive spike in interest but who do they work for and is this a long-term disruptor in education? In this episode, we explore the future of education with Penelope Barton, CEO of Crimson Global Education. Penelope shares what Crimson is working on in innovative models of schooling and whether it is more suited to catering for learners with different learning needs. Penelope Barton also looks at the role of AI in education and how she sees the relationship between education and technology working to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How well do you remember what grammatical words like adverb, adjective, prepositions actually mean? There is a lot of discussion in the education world at the moment about how much focus should be on teaching these word classes and instead focussing on whether a sentence instinctively feels right. Some research suggests being able to circle an adverb or noun on a worksheet has zero impact on writing ability. Other educators say everyone should have a common understanding of formal language grammar so that teachers can say 'try adding an adjective here' and students would be more clear about what kind of word to add in. Helen Walls aka The Writing Teacher looks at this debate in this episode of School Shorts. She has spoken in a previous episode about the importance of handwriting in the thinking process. This episode takes that discussion further to look at how to help children who are having challenges with writers including how to help older students still struggling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Look, I'll admit it, I don't know much about the assessment system when it gets to High School. I know you can do NCEA (with potential changes on the horizon) and some students also do Cambridge Exams, IGCSE's and A-Levels. I was among the last to do the Bursary assessment system and with kids still in primary school, I don't really know much about how this all works. So consider this an explainer for those who might also have only a little knowledge about this. If you have a child that is in High School or will soon be, hopefully this gives you some idea of how this particular assessment works as we speak with Chris Wiggin from Cambridge International. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hamish Brewer throws out the rule book when it comes to what people expect a Principal to be. The tattooed skateboarding Principal from New Zealand now spends most of his time in the U.S where he is one of the most recognisable and disruptive voices in education. Hamish has won national awards for transforming failing schools into 'high-performing', 'high-expectation communities'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial intelligence is already in classrooms. Bex Rose from AI Surge shares what that actually looks like for teachers, students and learning. Bex works directly with schools to help them understand how they can integrate and use AI to assist. She discusses what it means for ethics, safety and age appropriate use and common misconceptions about AI in education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Follow these top 10 school safety tips from Police Officer Constable Bryan Ward and empower your kids and students to have the confidence to navigate their day at school to the walk home. If you grew up in New Zealand, Constable Bryan and his canine partner Bobby probably taught you everything you know about being a safe "kiwi kid." Today, he’s joining us on School Shorts to bring those timeless lessons into 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learning to read isn’t just about sounding out words even though the biggest part of reading instruction that gets spoken about publicly is phonics. Education journalist and author Natalie Wexler explains why in this episode. She points out that at a certain point student's reading progress flattens out unless they haven't also had teaching that helps to build fluency, background knowledge, vocabulary and comprehension. Wexler talks about how some children can 'read' words but still not understand what they're reading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As countries around the world look to a structured approach to literacy to try and lift achievement results, what can educators learn from the experience in Mississippi, USA. It went from having the second-worst reading statistics in 2013 to 9th in 2024. What was behind the rapid increase in achievement? Kymyona Burk lead the change as State Literacy Director and reflects on what was done well and what might have been done differently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to encourage risky play and why it matters. Gill Connell from Moving Smart explains the importance of allowing kids to step outside their comfort zones while maintaining a safe environment. Gill talks about how the language we use can either instil fear or encourage courage in children. They discuss the power of the 'wonder word' and the "zone of uncertainty," where children can explore and learn from their experiences, and the role of parents as guides rather than barriers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Counting down the most popular activities on the Roam with Kids app with Renata Wiles. If you are looking for activities that appeal to the whole family, the most-viewed cafes and playgrounds for families and new ideas for the holidays then this episode has some tips for you. Renata aims to have these tips extend worldwide so stay tuned as Roam grows and she can update with more information from cities around the world. Other than the family-friendly insights, Renata and Melissa also speak about tips for being able to say 'yes' to more spontaneous adventures and the current discussion about more shade for playgrounds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a great episode if you are looking for ways to keep up some reading and writing practise at home while school is on break. Primary school teacher, mother and founder of the Sound Slam card game Anna O'Connor shares her ideas and games. Anna talk about phonemic awareness, what that is and its importance in how children learn to read and write. Melissa and Anna also discuss the impact of COVID-19 on learning, the role of parents in supporting their children's education, and the creation of Sound Slam—a fun and engaging card game designed to boost phonological skills at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How well a child does at school is often linked to how they feel there. That can depend on so many factors. We know that academic achivement is one of them and the previous episode covers some of the best tips for maximising ability in reading and writing. This episode looks at all those other factors in mental and physical health. Melissa Chan-Green looks back at some of the advice that has been shared from parenting insights in Gemma McCaw, the importance of adult self awareness with Jase Williams and physical development with Gill Connell. It also looks at some of the conversations around neurodiversity and the need for a holistic approach to support children's learning and development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of "School Shorts," I look back on a year of conversations with some of the most influential people in education across New Zealand, Australia, the U.S and U.K. This is a wrap of some of the key highlights of advice for helping children with reading and writing. It looks at educational reform, the opportunities and challenges that presents and the role of parents to support their kids at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fascinating world of AI in education with Michael Johnston who has authored a report titled Opportunities and Risks of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Michael shares some thoughts about how relying too much on tech, like calculators or Google Maps, can undercut foundational skills. We also chat about the social impacts of AI, especially on young people, and the importance of teaching critical thinking in schools. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How kids are being introduced to the world of financial literacy with the help of ASB's GetWise program. Joined by guests Hamish Russell and Lucinda Howarth, the discussion delves into the importance of teaching financial skills to young students. We talk about the Big Little GetWise show featuring Captain Cash-tastic, a superhero character designed to make financial education engaging and accessible. The discussion also looks at how financial education has changed because of the changing role and method of banking as we operate in a more digital landscape. This episode gives practical tips for parents about how to start introducing money concepts at home and equipping children with essential life skills to manage money. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Numicon is a maths teaching tool is a maths teaching tool that is used across the world and through thousands of schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Catherine Huxford of the Edushop team explains how it is a multi-sensory approach that helps children visualise and understand maths concepts. There are lots of tips here about how to introduce maths skills from a young age and how useful that can be for long-term love of maths. If you want some ideas around how to introduce easy games into everyday activities, this is a useful listen ..and there's a demonstration at the end to give an example of how it works in the classroom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How technology impacts kid's dopamine, attention span and language development with Dr Emma Woodward. As a Mum to four boys, Dr Woodward finds each of them have different needs, just as each of them are wired differently. So while this episode looks at the impact of tech on child development and regulation, it is also full of realistic and reassuring advice for parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malindi Maclean shares stories and research that highlight the profound impact on brain development from connecting with nature, not just for kids, but for adults too. If you've done Outward Bound before you will find much to reminisce about here. If you haven't it will give you more information about whether it is something that could be right for your children - or you! Malindi also talks about managed risk and how she encourages independent play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What young women want you to know about the challenges they are facing and the social issues they are trying to address, such as the impact of social media.This episode features inspiring stories from three of the 10 young women recognised at the Girlboss Awards for their achievements in STEM, leadership, and community service.They have achieved so much even before they have finished high school and tell us what they think has made the biggest difference for them in education, support from their families.Thank you so much to Amelia McKenzie, Phoebe Driscoll and Sylvie Macfarlane. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenny Turner is an adhd coach with Human Fabric. Diagnosed later in life with adhd herself and mum to two children diagnosed with two different types of adhd.Jenny discusses her personal experience, why it is so important for the workplace to understand and get the best out of those with adhd - and how that is a journey of education that should begin from school.This episode covers the complexities of ADHD and some of the factors that impact it, like sleep and nutrition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you want to know about how to have some of these conversations with your kids yourself, Jo gives some practical advice about what to say (and what NOT to say!) Relationships and Sex Education in school has been under revision and subject to feedback. In this episode, Jo Robertson from Tricky Chat Parenting talks about how the topic has evolved in schools, the role of parents in these discussions and the importance of online safety. Jo talks about some of the curriculum changes and the challenges schools face in addressing diverse needs and opinions on these topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A deeply personal account of life with dyslexia and the journey of finding out as a child but also as an adult. Father and Son, Arvid and Mattias Eriksson share their thoughts on the power of dyslexic thinking.They discuss the early signs of dyslexia, the importance of support and tutoring, and how Matthias navigates school life with dyslexia.It also covers the emotional journey of families dealing with dyslexia, the advantages of thinking differently, and the importance of self-advocacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your child dread the school speech competition? or feel nervous about speaking in front of their peers? Drama teacher and Oral Language Coach, Ashleigh Gulliver, shares the tips for how to gradually increase their speaking confidence in the classroom and at home. The episode covers the critical role of oral language and drama education in literacy development. You'll learn strategies for building confidence from a young age and how teachers can help to offer small steps for encouraging communication that will help when it comes to preparing students for future challenges in public speaking and communication. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode for Dyslexia Awareness Month, we’re diving into the real experiences of parents and educators who are supporting children with dyslexia. You’ll hear from mums navigating the ups and downs at home, as well as teachers who see first-hand the challenges—and strengths—that come with dyslexia in the classroom. We explore what dyslexia really is (and isn’t), how to spot the signs early, and practical ways to support children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An expert in the field of gifted students, Rhonda Filmer explains that some students are 2e. That means twice exceptional - those who are gifted and have a learning disorder. There are some common misunderstandings about these students which may impact their education. Rhonda explains how teachers and parents can better support students with these unique qualities, emphasising the importance of tailored teaching strategies and early intervention. We discuss how these students have incredible potential but are often those who fall through the cracks of traditional education systems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your family routine go completely out of the window when it comes to daylight savings? All of a sudden the kids are grumpy and harder to get to school. Never fear, Victoria Newport from Early Parenting is here. Victoria shares some of her tips around how to adjust timings to make the transition to changing the clock easier on everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are a range of different school types from state, state integrated and independent - but what do all of these things mean? Guy Pascoe from Independent Schools NZ talks about the range within the independent category and why some cater to specific learning needs. Guy Pascoe explains the misconception that independent schools are only private schools that the wealthy can afford. He discusses the reason why some parents choose independent schools, the diversity within the sector and the challenges faced. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Literacy expert Lorraine Hammond explains the difference between the skills of reading and spelling. If your child is able to read a word and/or sentence but has challenges with spelling, this will help to explain why. Also the way in which parents were taught at school has changed significantly from the way children are being taught now. The scientific research around how our brain actually retains and retrieves information has informed changes in teaching strategies in the classroom. For parents who want a greater understanding of what all the fuss is about over the term 'explicit instruction', this episode will answer those questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have a child in an early learning centre, there is a chance they will be taking part in the ENRICH oral language programme created by Elaine Reese. This has received funding in the New Zealand 2025 Government budget to roll out across hundreds more early learning centres over 4 years. It looks at the importance of oral language development, especially in children aged one to three. There is a significant connection between language skills and a child's ability to self regulate. Elaine talks about the outcome of the programme so far for the early childhood centres it has been running in and the lessons parents can take from strategies that are being used to help their own child's language abilities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adele Diamond is one of the world-leading neuroscientists in the field of executive functions. Executive functions are often discussed in relation to ADHD and they are especially relevant in that study ..however, executive function is crucial for all of us in our ability to plan, organise and achieve goals.It impacts working memory or ability to regulate and manage our behaviour and it shapes our children's ability to learn, adapt and thrive.Adele shares valuable insights and practical tips for parents to support their children at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever wondered whether the month you were born in impacts your educational achievement, there is now evidence to say yes it can have an impact. Dr Jo Knox has been doing research around the world into the different policies for when children start school. This conversation explores the complexities of New Zealand's enrolment system in education. It explains why some children will have more terms at school than others and what impact that has on achievement for some. Dr Knox looks at the disparities it can cause and advice for parents who have children about to start school. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gill Connell from Moving Smart returns with part 2 of the Power of PMP. This time we are talking about the often-overlooked topic of midline development in children. The ability to cross the midlines of the body is foundational for reading, writing, co-ordination and cognitive growth. Gill offers great advice for parents or teachers who want to practise this at school or at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was recorded in front a live audience at Spark NZ for the launch of the Spark Kids Plan. Melissa Chan-Green speaks with Leela Ashford about the first mobile plan for families and the Parent Hub which has been developed in conjunction with Child Psychologist Dr Emma Woodward. Sheridan Eketone of the Parenting Place shares lots of practical tips for how to manage device time and have conversations with your children about online safety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marks just the second year Women's Health Week has been marked - remarkable when you think we have been talking about Men's Health Week for years.In this episode we speak with Tend's Cecilia Robinson. A passionate advocate for both health and education.Here she combines those two interests to talk about the challenges that commonly face women that stem from unhealthy standards or lack of education for girls.As a bold leader who thinks ambitiously for New Zealand, Cecilia also comments on the plan to scrap NCEA and replace it with a new achievement framework. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dyscalculia is likely to be not far behind dyslexia in the numbers of people it affects, but it is often called the 'learning difficulty no one talks about' because awareness and research are still decades behind. In this episode, Head of Maths Australia Esther White talks about the learning challenge that affects people's ability to understand numbers and perform mathematical tasks. She shares the differences between dyscalculia and dyslexia and the impact of teaching methods on achievement and maths anxiety. This episode aims to give parents information to help students who are struggling with maths - there might also be many adults who only just realise this is something they have struggled with too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To address a child's behavioural challenges, an adult must first understand their own behaviour according to relational neuroscience educator Jase Williams. Jase is a former Principal himself and speaks at schools about emotional regulation and how to redefine resilience. This episode the impact that covid 19 has had on emotional regulation of our students. Jase also gives his views on how to help children navigate success and failure in education and practical advice for parents dealing with children's emotional challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a MUST watch for any family who is just beginning the reading journey with their child. If you missed the parent information session at your school or if you just want to review the information your school may have already given you about the learning going on in the classroom - this is the episode for you. It has all the basics of what you need to know about how teachers will be teaching your kids to read, write and spell. It has lots of helpful advice about how you can support at home by explaining the role of decodable books and authentic texts in fostering a love of reading. Join Melissa Chan-Green as she speaks with teachers Sam Allis and Jude Tabuteau. They are both early years teachers and literacy leads in their respective schools and have also been involved in professional development for other teachers in the science of reading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The most common parenting challenges that psychologists are called in to help with in schools and among families. Jackie Riach from the Positive Parenting Program works with schools who ask for help with a range of challenges. Jackie and Melissa discuss various topics including the importance of friendships, the impact of bullying, the role of chores in fostering responsibility, and the significance of self-esteem in children's development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.