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Child and Family Queensland

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25.01.2022 Button batteries in little hands can be incredibly dangerous. There's a growing record of injuries and deaths from button batteries in Australia, with one child a month seriously injured after swallowing or inserting them. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has some great advice for keeping your little ones safe around button batteries, in time for the holiday season:... Check before you buy: Look for products that do not use button batteries at all when buying a toy or household device other types of batteries are less likely to be swallowed by young children and do not present the same degree of danger if they are. Secure button batteries: Try to buy products where the compartment that houses the button battery is child-resistant, such as being secured with a screw, so that the product does not release the battery and it is difficult for a young child to access it. Store them out of reach of children: Keep new and used button batteries out of sight and out of reach of children at all times lock boxes, secure cupboards or high spaces are perfect for this. Safely dispose of them immediately: As soon as you've finished using a button battery, put sticky tape around both sides of the battery. This will make them less attractive to children and avoid the low risk of them catching fire. Dispose of them immediately in an outside bin, out of reach of children, or recycle safely. Know what to do in an emergency: If you suspect your child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26 for 24/7 fast, expert advice. If your child is having any difficulty breathing, contact 000. Make others aware of the risk: Make sure that grandparents, or anyone else who cares for your child, are aware of the risks of button batteries and know how to keep children safe from them. Read more https://bit.ly/2U6cNUf

21.01.2022 Online bullying can have a devastating impact on young people, whose online life is a key part of their identity and how they interact socially. Check out what students like Lola Smarelli, Lawrence Byrnes, Ava Boyd and their Vice Principal Liam Buckley from St Brendan’s Primary School think about cyberbullying and staying safe online. Children are more technologically skilled than their parents and I don’t know necessarily that it increases their awareness around safety,... says Vice Principal Liam. I would always encourage teachers and parents to have those healthy conversations, which are vital to develop trust and parameters that you can grow, and particularly for a parent to say regardless of what happens you can always come and have the conversation. It’s about making sure the child doesn’t feel blamed and feels completely trusted and safe. We encourage you to start a conversation with your kids today and let them know that they can reach out to you. The Stop Cyberbullying portal also has a lot of information about helping your child deal with cyberbullying, as well as links to support services if you or your child needs additional help https://bit.ly/34tlMU3 Thank you to our friends over at the Office of the eSafety Commissioner for the case study.

21.01.2022 With school holidays and Christmas just around the corner, your kids may be online more than usual. Cyberbullying has become a significant issue for children and young people learning to navigate a life that is increasingly online. But what if it’s your child that is being unkind online? Finding out your child is a cyberbully can be confronting and upsetting. The best advice is to stay calm, get all the facts and then talk to your child about what’s going on. Work out how... to approach the situation and put an end to the cyberbullying don’t wait for it to go away. If you’re worried your child may be bullying others, this The Conversation article about which kids bully, why kids bully, and what parents can do is a must read: https://theconversation.com/what-should-i-do-if-my-child-is With your guidance and positive engagement, you can help them to change. Here are some strategies to try (thanks Office of the eSafety Commissioner!): Talk to your child, in a way they can relate to, about how it feels to be left out or teased. Use examples. Build empathy what it might feel like to be the other person. Encourage your child to be honest about their behaviour, take responsibility for it and apologise to those they have bullied. Explain there will be consequences for them if they treat others badly. Praise your child’s strengths on any behaviour changes they try to make. The Office of the eSafety Commissioner also has some great tips about how you can help develop your child’s digital intelligence https://www.esafety.gov.au//skills/good-habits-start-young If you’re looking for advice to share with young people in your life, check out the Stop Cyberbullying website https://www.csyw.qld.gov.au//stop-cy/children-young-people

21.01.2022 "You get to see kids who have never had a friend in their life make friends." Heath Fletcher is a mentor at technology club, The Lab - Gold Coast, where he works with children who are on the autism spectrum. Most of his clients are teenage boys who have social anxiety and struggle to make friends, but they have a shared interest in technology and gaming. The Lab Gold Coast founder, June Wells, says, "Most of the children who come along don't have friends. They don't get i...nvited to parties and often they don't have sleepovers. So things that kids grow up normally doing, often these kids miss out." Addressing social interaction is the main goal of the club and sessions are tailored around what the children themselves want to do. The club enables them to learn social skills and gain friendships. "You get to see kids who would not say a word be boisterous and loud," says Heath. The Gold Coast club is one of 3 clubs in Queensland and is part of an Australia-wide network of not-for-profit technology clubs. The other 2 clubs in Queensland are in Banyo and Caboolture. To learn more about the program, visit https://thelab.org.au.

20.01.2022 November is Transition to Adulthood (T2A) month and for young people leaving care and transitioning to adulthood, Next Step Plus is a free service to help them navigate this significant time in their life. The program supports young people aged 15-25 in making that next step by providing practical help around topics like budgeting, tax, employment, educational pathways and more. Next Step Plus aims to ensure young people develop important skills, feel supported and resilient and have the capability to be the people they want to be. And if they've been helped by the program before, they can still come back as many times as they need. If you know someone who you think could use some extra support, reach out to Next Step Plus: www.nextstepplus.com.au

19.01.2022 Looking for an opportunity to improve the lives of Queensland children, young people and families? Roles are available for dedicated professionals to join our child safety service centres in Tropical North Queensland.

18.01.2022 Hitting the beach these holidays? Take a moment to re-familiarise yourself with these messages to reduce your family's risk of a shark encounter. Swim between the flags at patrolled beaches and check signage.... Have a buddy and look out for each other. Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk. Reduce risk, avoid schools of bait fish or diving birds. Keep fish waste and food scraps out of the water where people swim. Swim in clear water and away from people who are fishing. Do your part. Be SharkSmart. Fisheries Queensland

18.01.2022 The Create Foundation recently held a virtual art competition to celebrate Queensland Child Protection Week, inviting children and young people in care to express themselves through their artwork. From the many outstanding artworks received, this piece from Mitchell, aged 7, was the winner! The backstory behind his submission was, It has taken him a lot of hard work to get to the stage of drawing a picture but to then ask for it to be entered into a competition is huge gr...owth. Well done Mitchell! Via the Create Foundation

17.01.2022 According to Triple P - Positive Parenting Program /Official Global/, the number of parents seeking online parenting support during COVID-19 increased by more than 50 per cent. An analysis of de-identified data provided by parents signing up to do Triple P Online also revealed that many more parents are experiencing severe anxiety and depression, while child behaviour problems and children’s emotional distress were up 23 per cent and 70 per cent respectively wh...en compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. Read the whole article at our Supporting Families Changing Futures website https://bit.ly/3kWLiaQ. Triple P has some great tips for supporting healthy relationships and managing disagreements. Read them all at https://bit.ly/3cCnA0O. Did you know Queensland parents and carers can access Triple P's Positive Parenting Program for FREE? Check out their online and in-person parenting programs. www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-uken/triple-p

17.01.2022 November 8-15 is NAIDOC Week. Each year, NAIDOC Week celebrations highlight the rich and diverse cultures of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Australians. This year's theme Always Was, Always Will Be recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Have your little ones seen Play School's special episode: Acknowledgement of Country? Make time to check it out with them this week as it shares knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and highlights the importance of caring for Country, together.

17.01.2022 It’s the end of the year for the Grade 12 class of 2020! These teens have seen many milestones they were the first full year group to start Prep, the first to start high school in Grade 7 and the first in Queensland to sit ATAR exams. With an international pandemic thrown in, they've done well to navigate this year’s hurdles and are no doubt ready for their next adventure!... Do you have a grade 12 student in the family graduating this week?

16.01.2022 Children and young people are often hesitant to chat about cyberbullying it’s normal for them to feel worried, scared or embarrassed. The good news is that talking about it helps, and you can be the one to listen. Encourage them to confide in you and, when they do, remember to listen and offer support before you act on the news and come up with a plan together on how to address the issue. ... Try out these Office of the eSafety Commissioner tips and remain calm if a conversation about cyberbullying ever arises: Resist immediately taking away their device Stay calm and open don’t panic Listen, think, pause Protect them if necessary Collect evidence Consider seeking support from your child’s school Report To find more tips on what to do if your child is being cyberbullied, visit www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/cyberbullying Stand by your kids and help put a stop to cyberbullying for good. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation or come up with a plan together, visit the Stop Cyberbullying portal https://bit.ly/34MVWM2 #StandByUs #StopCyberbullying

15.01.2022 If you ever feel you need some support to help get your family life back on track, Family and Child Connect is here for you. They can connect you to local services that can help with: managing your child’s behaviour building better family relationships... stopping any violence at home budgeting and managing money alcohol, drug or gambling problems housing, health care or other community or government services. You can use this confidential service as often as you need. There is no limit and no cost. Call 13 FAMILY or visit www.familychildconnect.org.au.

14.01.2022 We this illustration from Common Wild (IG) who else can relate? Encouraging your toddler to help you problem solve can turn everyday tasks into a game, boost their speaking skills and help navigate away from the 'No!' response. Instead of narrating these tasks, try involving your toddler in conversation:... Instead of "Let's go to the bathroom to brush our teeth," try "Time to brush your teeth where should we go?" Instead of "Time to put shoes on before we go outside," try "Let's go outside what should we put on our feet?" Instead of "Here's your spoon for your cereal," try "Here's your cereal what else do you need to eat it?" What other tactics do you use to avoid the defiant 'No!' response? For more tips on managing toddler behaviour, visit https://bit.ly/2U4krhX

14.01.2022 "Sometimes they'll do something just to get that reaction and so when they're sitting on the sofa and they're just watching telly, you just go past and you just rub their arm and you go, 'Are you ok?' "And they like that, they like that someone's reassuring them. And they'll walk past or they'll come near you and they want a hug, [so] you just give them a hug. Angie and Gilbert are honest about the ups and downs of being foster carers, but highly recommended it for those w...ho are interested. "It's incredibly rewarding. I think that it actually does teach you and benefit you more than people realise it does." To learn the different types of foster caring available in Queensland, like short breaks care, visit https://bit.ly/2SkLbKd

10.01.2022 Who here has a little one who likes to communicate with their feet? It can be tough for little ones to express their difficult feelings through words. As Curious Parenting puts it, after seeing their tower get knocked down, children are unlikely to calmly reply with "you see, mother, the smashing of my tower was a crushing blow to my burgeoning architectural ego that sent me into a spiral of despair. ... Their best attempt to communicate might be biting, hitting or kicking. We often use the phrase, "use your words," to give our kids options beyond hitting, kicking or yelling to get their point across, however Curious Parenting suggests this phrase tends to command rather than invite. Here are some alternatives to encourage and help your little ones communicate. Instead of 'Don't kick. Use your words,' try: "I won't let you kick me. Please tell me what you want." "You can kick this ball if you feel like kicking." "You can say, 'I'm still using these blocks." "You can hold your hand up and say "back up!" Check out some tips to encourage good behaviour https://bit.ly/3fgIHqD Curious Parenting

10.01.2022 Cyberbullying is more than just name calling. It comes in many forms but some of the most common types include: Sending/sharing nasty, hurtful or abusive messages or emails Humiliating others by posting/sharing embarrassing videos or images Spreading rumours or lies online Setting up fake online profiles... Excluding others online Repeated harassment and threatening messages (cyberstalking) Cyberbullying is serious and can have long lasting impacts on your child. The effects on children and teenagers can include: lower school attendance and performance increased stress and anxiety feelings of isolation and fear poor concentration depression decreased self-esteem and confidence. In extreme cases cyberbullying can lead to suicide. The effects of cyberbullying are similar to the effects of bullying, but the main difference is that it's much harder for kids to escape. It follows them home and doesn’t end when the school day finishes. If your child is experiencing cyberbullying, make sure they know it's not their fault, they're not alone, and there are ways to deal with cyberbullying. As a parent, you're also not alone in supporting your child to manage cyberbullying. Our website has a range of information and resources to help you support your child if they are experiencing cyberbullying www.csyw.qld.gov.au//parents-carers/helping-your-child-dea You can also contact Parentline Qld + NT for confidential counselling and support through their website www.parentline.com.au or over the phone on 1300 30 1300. #StandByUs #StopCyberbullying

10.01.2022 It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a busy family life that we often forget to make time for ourselves. It's mental health week (10-18 Oct) and a great reminder to take the time to acknowledge your own achievements, talk kindly and compassionately to yourself and do something you love just for you.

09.01.2022 ABC Kids Community have released an educational 10-part series called 'Languages of our Land' a short program created in collaboration with the Yugambeh Museum. Each episode focuses on a specific number and the Yugambeh word for an Aussie animal found on Yugambeh country, like Borobi . What a great opportunity to share the Yugambeh language (spoken by traditional custodians of the land located in south-east Queensland) with children and families across Australia. Keep an eye out for this series on Fridays at 10am on ABC ME, or catch up here: https://ab.co/2TNA6SB

08.01.2022 Would I want my mum to see this? Am I swearing at somebody OR YELLING AT THEM IN CAPS? How would I feel if someone sent this message to me? These are great questions to encourage your kids to consider before they send a message or post a comment online. Don't let them be the reason someone else is made to feel humiliated, hurt or embarrassed because of cyberbullying. Find a range of cyberbullying information including support and resources to keep your child's online be...haviour in check https://bit.ly/3c12Nn6 #StandByUs #StopCyberbullying

08.01.2022 More than 1 in 4 Australian parents (27%) report feeling stressed by their children every day, according to a study by the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. This stress can lead us to lash out and yell at our kids. However, ABC Life talked to parenting expert and father of six kids, Dr Justin Coulson, who explains that yelling often backfires. "It never gets us the results we want. In that moment, our children get scared, they make mistakes; they become emotionally flood...ed. They can't think." Check out his practical strategies for taming angry outbursts. Read the article: https://ab.co/35V8wKu

06.01.2022 How do you manage your child’s screen time? ABC Kids Community's Play School toys are joining the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to help your family make some rules for online safety at home. Humpty knows his time is up on technology when the alarm rings! A times up strategy makes everyone in the family responsible for screen time. Use the Family Tech Agreement to help set rules around time spent on devices. ... Visit esafety.gov.au/paren/children-under-5/family-tech-agreement to find out more. Our website also has a range of information and resources to help you keep your child’s online behaviour in check qld.gov.au/stopcyberbullying Office of the eSafety Commissioner #StandByUs #StopCyberbullying

06.01.2022 Good habits start young! We came across this story that Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families posted not too long ago and we just had to share. A student posted a picture of a Grade 6 teacher to their TikTok account and had added a degrading song to go with her picture, but they also put their own picture on the video saying disrespectful and hurtful things. It was accompanied by a mean comment. It had 451 views and it had been forwarded on several times. ... To make matters worse she noticed that other students had seen this video and had either said they liked it or made a comment supporting the negative video. Understandably, the teacher was horrified, hurt and almost sick. She spent the rest of her day feeling angry or upset. She felt really sad that the students who she loved and cared for, had supported this mean video and no one seemed to have called it out or said it was wrong. When she got home that evening, she didn’t feel she could share this with her family. She somehow got through the evening but it was always on her mind. She knew she couldn’t go to sleep and it was now about 11 o'clock at night and she still felt really sad. She decided to call Lifeline. The next day the teacher's school had their assembly the Junior School string orchestra was playing beautiful music, the sun was shining, it was a new day and she decided to go forward, let her sadness and anger go and not let the mean, horrible actions of one student ruin her day and her life. She decided to address the entire grade and share her experience. After addressing the grade, to her amazement, she soon had several children coming to see her, so apologetic, telling her that they had never meant to hurt her, and had never thought what it meant to 'like something' online. Some were crying, some had tears in their eyes and she received all sorts of supportive letters and emails, and even bunches of flowers over the following days. The moral of the story? When people, say mean, thoughtless things and do mean things online can really affect someone, even if they are an older person. How much more would they affect a young person? Read Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families full post www.facebook.com/happyfamilies.au/posts/3524589247573205 Stand by your kids and show them that their words and actions (including that simple like on a mean post) can have real ramifications. As Dr Justin says, When we take the time to be gentle with our children and help them see the world differently - open them up to a new perspective - they show empathy. They apologise. They want to make things right. For information on cyberbullying behaviours and how to encourage respectful online behaviour from early on, visit the Stop Cyberbullying portal https://bit.ly/3c12Nn6 #StandByUs #StopCyberbullying

04.01.2022 We’ve received lots of questions and comments about cyberbullying, and we’re here to answer them. This week’s question: Can’t you just block a cyberbully? Answer: Blocking a person or account, reporting them, turning off your computer, putting your device down, going to do something else for a little while are definitely ways your kids can take against cyberbullying.... But it doesn’t always solve the issue and the effects of the bullying can remain. That’s why we want parents and carers to understand what they can do to help if they suspect their kids are being cyberbullied. Talking with them and listening to them is really important, as is working through the issue together. You can find information about helping your child deal with cyberbullying on our website www.csyw.qld.gov.au///helping-your-child-deal-cyberbulling If you have a question you’d like us to answer, leave it in the comments below Don’t forget to visit qld.gov.au/stopcyberbullying for advice and support. #StandByUs #StopCyberbullying

01.01.2022 Parents and carers play an important role in guiding their kids as they take their first online steps, whether it be making decisions about what age they start to use online devices, how soon they can get a smartphone, or when they are ready for social media accounts. Each social media site has its own minimum age requirements. Most require users to be at least 13 years of age before they can register, although some sites are created especially for children under 13. Th...e Office of the eSafety Commissioner suggests considering these questions to determine whether your child is ready for social media. 1 Is your child able to withstand negative online experiences? 2 Does your child understand the importance of protecting their personal information? 3 Does your child understand how privacy settings for social media work? 4 Does your child understand what is safe to share online? 5 Does your child know how to report cyberbullying and other kinds of abusive content? 6 Is your child willing to let you establish clear rules and supervise their social media activity? You can find out about navigating key online milestones with your child including more info on the key questions to help determine when your child is ready for social media at https://www.esafety.gov.au//skills-adv/are-they-old-enough

01.01.2022 As more Queensland children and teens use technology, cyberbullying becomes more prevalent. We’ve been getting some great comments about this topic and we wanted to bust a common myth that cyberbullying only occurs on social media. Cyberbullying can also happen through instant messaging and emails, gaming sites, video sharing sites like YouTube, and even apps your kids are using. It can be difficult to escape and you don’t necessarily need to have a social med...ia presence to carry out the bullying behaviour or experience cyberbullying. Cyberbullying includes people posting hurtful of humiliating comments, sharing images without the person’s consent, creating fake online profiles and a variety of other actions which are beyond the young person’s control, whether they’re on social media or not. It is important for young people experiencing cyberbullying to confide in a trusted adult and for both parties to work through the issue together. You can find information about helping your child deal with cyberbullying, including tips for talking about the issue, on our website https://bit.ly/35J5mcv. If you want to know more about how to keep kids safe online, visit https://bit.ly/3c3ZZG3. #StandByUs #StopCyberbullying