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Explore topics designed to help families support children and young people through every stage of learning and wellbeing.

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Screen time, cyber safety and AI
Featured Topic Screen time, cyber safety and AI
Screen time and online safety Dr. Justin Coulson

Screen time, cyber safety and AI

Digital technology is an everyday part of life for children and teens, offering opportunities for learning, creativity and connection. At the same time, navigating screen time, online safety, social media and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can feel complex and overwhelming for families. This topic is designed to support parents and carers to make informed, balanced decisions about digital use for children and adolescents. It offers guidance on setting boundaries, supporting online safety, and having developmentally appropriate conversations with children and teens about responsible and respectful digital engagement.

14m Dr. Justin Coulson
  • Big feelings and behaviour
    Big feelings and behaviour
    Big feelings and behaviour

    Big feelings and behaviour

    Strong emotions are a natural part of growing up, for children and for teens. When big feelings lead to challenging behaviour, it can feel confusing and exhausting for families. Children and adolescents are still developing the skills needed to recognise, manage and express emotions, and behaviour is often a sign of stress, overwhelm or unmet needs. This topic is designed to help parents and carers better understand what sits underneath children’s and teens’ behaviour. It offers practical, evidence informed strategies to support emotional regulation, strengthen connection, and respond with empathy while maintaining clear and consistent boundaries.

    27m Dr. Justin Coulson
  • Friendship, belonging and bullying
    Friendship, belonging and bullying
    Friendship, belonging and bullying

    Friendship, belonging and bullying

    Friendships play a central role in children’s and teens’ wellbeing, sense of identity and connection to school. Feeling accepted and valued by peers supports confidence and resilience, while difficulties such as conflict, exclusion or bullying can deeply affect a child or adolescent’s emotional health and willingness to engage in learning. As parents and carers, it can be hard to know how best to support children and teens through changing social worlds. The information linked to this topic is designed to help you understand how friendships develop across childhood and adolescence, recognise signs your child or teen may be struggling socially, and respond in ways that promote safety, belonging and healthy relationships.

    10m Dr. Justin Coulson
  • Growing up: early years to teens
    Growing up: early years to teens
    Growing Up: early years to teens

    Growing up: early years to teens

    From the early years through to adolescence, children’s brains, emotions and relationships change significantly. These developmental shifts influence behaviour, communication and independence, and can sometimes challenge the connections within families. This topic helps parents and carers understand key stages of development from childhood through the teen years. It offers insight into why children’s and adolescents’ needs change over time, and how to stay connected, supportive and responsive as your child grows.

    Karen Young
  • Learning for wellbeing and success
    Learning for wellbeing and success
    Learning for wellbeing and success

    Learning for wellbeing and success

    Children and teens learn best when they feel safe, supported and understood. Learning, wellbeing and engagement are closely connected, and challenges with focus, motivation or confidence often reflect emotional or developmental needs rather than a lack of ability or effort. This topic provides parents and carers with insight into how wellbeing supports learning across childhood and adolescence. It explores practical ways to support study habits, encourage motivation and persistence, and nurture curiosity and confidence, while keeping the wellbeing of children and teens at the centre.

  • Anxiety, school avoidance and mental health
    Anxiety, school avoidance and mental health
    Mental health and anxiety

    Anxiety, school avoidance and mental health

    Mental health is an important part of every child and teen's overall wellbeing. While it is normal for children and adolescents to experience stress, anxiety, sadness and emotional ups and downs from time to time, there are occasions when these challenges become more persistent or begin to affect their relationships, learning, daily functioning or sense of hope. As parents and carers, it can be difficult to know when to be concerned, what signs to look for, or how best to support a child or teen who is struggling. The information linked in this topic is designed to help you better understand common mental health challenges, including anxiety, school avoidance, depression, self-harm and suicidal distress. It also provides practical, evidence-informed strategies to strengthen resilience, support emotional wellbeing and guide conversations about seeking help.

    1h 12m Karen Young
  • Neurodiversity and learning differences
    Neurodiversity and learning differences
    Neurodiversity and learning differences

    Neurodiversity and learning differences

    Children and teens experience, process and respond to the world in many different ways. Neurodiversity and learning differences are a natural part of human variation and can influence how children and adolescents learn, communicate, regulate emotions and engage socially. This topic supports parents and carers to better understand neurodiversity and learning differences, recognise individual strengths, and respond to challenges with compassion and flexibility. The focus is on fostering understanding, advocacy and environments where children and teens feel valued for who they are.

  • The parenting toolkit
    The parenting toolkit
    The parenting toolkit

    The parenting toolkit

    Parenting children and teens is complex, rewarding and demanding. What works at one stage of development may change as children grow, and families often need new strategies as their children move through different ages and challenges. This topic brings together practical tools, strategies and encouragement to support parents and carers raising children and adolescents. It focuses on strengthening relationships, responding constructively to challenges, and building confidence in your parenting approach.

    3m Dr. Justin Coulson
Guidance for Users

The advice provided on this site and contained within the resources relates to general wellbeing information only and should not be considered medical, psychological, or professional advice. It doesn’t take into account your family’s individual circumstances.

Furthermore, links to external websites are provided for your convenience and to access credible, evidence-based information. Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of information on these external sites.

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