Raising Learners

When you’re active in your school community, your child gets many academic and social benefits. Being active at school is also good for you.It gives you the chance to contribute to the school and meet other parents in your local area. In this episode of Raising Learners, Professor Julie Green talks with Gail McHardy, Executive Officer of Parents Victoria, about how you can be engaged at school. Parents Victoria is a state-wide democratic organisation representing parents of students in Victorian government schools. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missing a day of school every now and then is normal. But sometimes children and teenagers become disconnected from learning. They might even avoid school or refuse to go. It can be a serious issue. In this episode of Raising Learners, Genevieve Higgins, head of the Jesuit Social Services’ Navigator program, joins Professor Julie Green. They discuss how parents and schools can work together to help children and young people reengage and reconnect with school and learning environments. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au School refusal: children 5-8 yearsTruancy and school refusal: 9-15 yearsSchool problems: helping children 9-15 yearsAnxiety at school: autistic children and teenagersTalking about schoolBuilding a relationship with your child’s schoolProblem-solving strategies for parents and teachersCommunication with school: autistic teenagers Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supporting your child’s social and emotional development is an important part of being a parent. It’s also an important part of school and learning for children. In this episode of Raising Learners Vikki Ryall, Executive Director, Clinical Practice at Headspace and Mary Sayers, CEO Children and Young people with Disability Australia join Derek McCormack to discuss what’s important for social and emotional development at different ages and stage and how parents can play a supportive role with that development. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Emotions and play: school-age childrenSocial and emotional changes: 9-15 yearsAutism: social & emotional developmentSchool-age: development trackerPre-teen development: what to expectTeenage development: what to expectSchool-age friendships: how to support themTeenage friends and friendshipsFriends and peers: autistic children and teenagers Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aboriginal perspectives are increasingly reflected in today’s education system. This is good for Koorie children, and good for all children too. In this episode of Raising Learners, Gunditjmara man Mark Rose speaks with Julie Green about ways Aboriginal parents and kinship carers can get involved with their children’s education and support their dreams. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Building a relationship with your child’s schoolWorking with teachers and schools Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingVictorian Aboriginal Education AssociationVictorian Aboriginal Education Association – Koorie Academy of ExcellenceVictorian Aboriginal Education Association – Launch: Koorie Outreach Support ProgramAlpine School CampusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adolescence is a time of major development inside the teenage brain. And changes in the brain drive changes in teenage emotions, thinking and behaviour, including the desire for more independence. If you feel that you’re less important to your child now, it might help to know that your child needs your love and support to navigate changes in adolescence and grow a healthy brain. In this episode of Raising Learners, David Collins and Colette Davis join host Derek McCormack to explore these issues. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Brain development: teenagersSocial and emotional changes: 9-15 yearsIndependence in teenagers: how to support itStaying connected: you and your teenage childRelationships with parents and families: why teenagers need them Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children with disability can get a range of support for their primary school education. You can help your child get the most out of school by working closely with the school on support options and adjustments that will suit your child. In this episode of Raising Learners, Dr Tim Moore from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Dr Kerry Bull from Noah’s Ark join Julie Green to talk about how to make it happen. For more information on the topics discussed in this episode visit: raisingchildren.net.au education.vic.gov.au acd.org.au cyda.org.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can support your child to learn well by focusing on their strengths, making the most of everyday learning opportunities and activities, and working with them to set achievable learning goals. In this episode of Raising Learners, Professor Harriet Hiscock and primary school principal Hayley Doyle join Professor Julie Green to discuss these and other techniques that can help your child learn and thrive. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Learning: primary and secondary school yearsLiteracy activities for childrenLearning maths at schoolAbout gifted and talented children and teenagersActivity guides Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autistic children often do well with routine, structure and predictability. But family life can sometimes involve changes in routine and unexpected events. In this episode of Raising Learners, I CAN Network’s Chris Varney talks with Julie Green about how parents can help their autistic children through change. They also discuss how autistic children’s interests and strengths can be a great basis for connecting with others. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Changing routines: children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorderFamily life with autistic childrenFriends and peers: children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorderHealthy school relationships: children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorderThinking and learning strengths in children with autism spectrum disorder Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingI CAN NetworkI CAN Network – Awetism 2020AmazeMyTimeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good mental health is key to children’s overall development. It’s also very important in helping children and adults adapt to change and deal with life’s challenges. You can promote mental health in your family with positive relationships, a healthy lifestyle and more. In this episode of Raising Learners, psychologist Meredith Rayner and Derek McCormack discuss different strategies for building family mental health, wellbeing and resilience, especially when times are tough. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Good mental health for children: 3-8 yearsPre-teen and teenage mental health Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingBeyond BlueSmiling MindSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that boredom can be good for children? When children are bored, they’re forced to use their problem-solving skills, creative thinking and imagination to play. In this episode of Raising Learners, play specialist Cat Sewell joins Professor Julie Green to discuss creative ways to turn boredom into an opportunity for exploration, connection and learning. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Boredom: how it helps children’s play and developmentWhy play is importantFree time to play: why it's important for childrenImagining, creating and play: school-age children Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can help your child get the most out of school by communicating and building relationships with teachers, other parents and students. Find out how in this episode of Raising Learners. Host Derek McCormack is joined by Lisa Branch, Principal at Victoria Road Primary School, and Professor Julie Green, Executive Director of raisingchildren.net.au. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Building a relationship with your child’s schoolWorking with teachers and schools Find out more Victorian Department of Education and Training See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your interest and support are very important to your teenage child as they navigate the ups and downs of the final years of secondary school. This support can range from helping your child with study planning to communicating with the school about concerns and more. In this episode of Raising Learners, Bernadette Gigliotti, Phil Newnham and Darren Trippett join host Derek McCormack to explain what you need to know. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Teens: working with teachers and schoolsJobs, careers, further study: getting readyCommunication with school: autistic teenagersSecondary school transitions: autistic teenagers Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingAustralian Centre for Career EducationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Help your child stay safe online by sharing your child’s online interests, role-modelling safe internet use, talking to your child about online behaviour and setting family internet rules. In this episode of Raising Learners, e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant joins host Derek McCormack to explain internet risks and opportunities for children, and share practical online safety tips. Find out more on raisingchildren.net.au Internet safety: children 6-8 yearsInternet safety: children 9-11 yearsInternet safety: teenagersOnline safety: how parent-child relationships protect childrenScreen time: checklist for healthy use Find out more Victorian Department of Education and TrainingeSafety CommissionerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raising Learners is the podcast for parents of school age kids, where we share practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting your child’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school. Presented by the Raising Children’s Network with support from the Department of Education and Training Victoria. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss an episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.