The Wiggles: Social Distancing

Real life stories, tips, photos
and videos about those things
we do as a part of our
everyday lives, to be healthy

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Growth and development

Back to school blues

What to do if your child is nervous or anxious about school

Learning through play

Polly Barendrecht, Occupational Therapist, tells us why creative play is important for your child's development.

Becoming independent

There are so many things we do every day without even a second thought, but imagine trying to dress yourself or hold a knife and fork for the very first time.

Rhyme Time

Singing nursery rhymes to young children helps them develop early literacy skills.

Healthy Hips

Healthy Hip Day is a great time to remind parents about the importance of swaddling new babies safely.

Reading to your baby

Often when we talk about reading, we talk about it as something that we do with our children, not our babies. But did you know that there are many benefits of reading to your baby? We spoke to Belinda Power, Parenting Coordinator at Sydney Local Health District to find out why reading to your baby is so important.

Importance of play

We’ve spoken about it here at Healthy Families Healthy Children before – but the importance of play for children can never be overstated.

Transitioning from a bottle to a cup

Did you know babies should be saying goodbye to their bottles by the time they mark their first birthday? Sydney Local Health District's experts tell us the reasons why and how you can make it happen.

Learning through craft

Art and craft can be a lot of fun for kids, but did you know craft also helps our little ones develop essential life skills? Child and Family Health Occupational Therapist, Britt Woolfenden, tells us how something as simple as drawing with a pencil can help children when it comes to feeding and dressing themselves.

Starting Solids

Babies are ready for their first taste of solids from around six-months-old. It can be an exciting yet messy time for both you and bub! Sydney Local Health District’s Child and Family Health Nurse Kim Dunlop talks us through the basics of getting started.

Blue Books

For every baby born in New South Wales, the parents are given a Personal Health Record – better known as a 'Blue Book' - but has yours found its way to the back of the cupboard? Sydney Local Health District's Child and Family Health Nurse Kim Dunlop explains why it’s important to use them.

Playing with playdough

Using playdough is a basic part of growing up for most children. The good news is, aside from being loads of fun playdough is like a 'super toy' when it comes to development – as Child and Family Health Occupational Therapist Britt Woolfenden explains.

First words

You might not have realised, but the amount of time we spend talking to our little ones plays a big role in their speech development.

Settling and sleeping

Getting used to a new baby at home can be as challenging as it is rewarding. Sydney Local Health District's Child and Family Health Nurse Caroline Parkee talks us through sleeping and settling for your bub.

Putting their best foot forward

For many mums and dads, the thought of fitting exercise into an already busy family schedule can seem like too much.

Let's play

It seems simple doesn't it? - according to Sydney Local Health District's child and family health experts, that little four letter word is one of the most important things you'll do with your kids.

Let's play

Seems simple doesn't it? - according to Sydney Local Health District's child and family health experts, that little four letter word is one of the most important things you'll do with your kids.

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Tips

The things you do every day can provide the best opportunities for play

Children like to play near you

Involve the whole family - a game of hide and seek can be fun for everyone.

Try having a screen time free day - that means no TV, iPads or iPhones. See what happens!

Follow your child's lead – let them be the boss! You will be amazed at what they come up with.