School Shorts

How to set confident, compassionate boundaries that actually deepen your connection with children and don't negatively impact your relationship. Obstetric social worker and renowned Parent Educator Gen Muir is the author of Why Kids Need Boundaries.
Gen shares her own parenting struggles and says it's a myth that boundaries threaten attachment. However, we talk about the most effective way to set clear limits that also foster trust and reduce conflict.
I first came across Gen when I discovered the High, Low, Buffalo conversation prompt for families. It has been a gamechanger in our house and I speak about how it has helped open up conversations and information from our kids that we might not have got otherwise.
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Last time we spoke with AI consultant to schools, Bex Rose, the feedback was running hot! From people who wanted to know about the AI tutor she created for her daughter, to people interested in more information about how AI is being used in schools already ..and those who expressed very real concern about the impact digital technology has on brain development and learning and human relationships.
In this episode, we discuss that feedback with Bex and we are also joined by Papamoa Primary Principal Matt Simeon to talk about how the school has been an early adopter of using AI with staff. It is another discussion which is sure to raise more debate around the merits and concerns around the best use of AI.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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