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PODCAST

School Shorts

Melissa Chan-Green

School Shorts is the podcast for busy parents who want to help their children succeed in school. Hosted by Melissa Chan-Green, a journalist and mum of two, this show covers practical tips on reading, writing, spelling, and maths for preschool and early school years. Learn about structured literacy, phonics, and foundational maths skills like counting, patterns, and sequences, plus how to support your child’s learning at home. Quick, easy, and packed with helpful advice—School Shorts is here to help

education education for kids

All Episodes

18:31

Best Birth Month for Academic Success, Dr Jo Knox

School Shorts ·

2025/08/24

If you've ever wondered whether the month you were born in impacts your educational achievement, there is now evidence to say yes it can have an impact. Dr Jo Knox has been doing research around the world into the different policies for when children start school. This conversation explores the complexities of New Zealand's enrolment system in education. It explains why some children will have more terms at school than others and what impact that has on achievement for some. Dr Knox looks at the

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26:54

Gill Connell: Midlines (PMP part 2)

School Shorts ·

2025/08/17

Gill Connell from Moving Smart returns with part 2 of the Power of PMP. This time we are talking about the often-overlooked topic of midline development in children. The ability to cross the midlines of the body is foundational for reading, writing, co-ordination and cognitive growth. Gill offers great advice for parents or teachers who want to practise this at school or at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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29:01

Managing Device Time: A live recording with Spark NZ...

School Shorts ·

2025/08/14

This episode was recorded in front a live audience at Spark NZ for the launch of the Spark Kids Plan. Melissa Chan-Green speaks with Leela Ashford about the first mobile plan for families and the Parent Hub which has been developed in conjunction with Child Psychologist Dr Emma Woodward. Sheridan Eketone of the Parenting Place shares lots of practical tips for how to manage device time and have conversations with your children about online safety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

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28:51

Cecilia Robinson: Setting Healthy Standards for our...

School Shorts ·

2025/08/10

This week marks just the second year Women's Health Week has been marked - remarkable when you think we have been talking about Men's Health Week for years.In this episode we speak with Tend's Cecilia Robinson. A passionate advocate for both health and education.Here she combines those two interests to talk about the challenges that commonly face women that stem from unhealthy standards or lack of education for girls.As a bold leader who thinks ambitiously for New Zealand, Cecilia also comments on

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29:30

Dyscalculia: The Misunderstood Struggle With Maths -...

School Shorts ·

2025/08/03

Dyscalculia is likely to be not far behind dyslexia in the numbers of people it affects, but it is often called the 'learning difficulty no one talks about' because awareness and research are still decades behind. In this episode, Head of Maths Australia Esther White talks about the learning challenge that affects people's ability to understand numbers and perform mathematical tasks. She shares the differences between dyscalculia and dyslexia and the impact of teaching methods on achievement and

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27:18

Jase Williams: Helping Kids Navigate Big Emotions

School Shorts ·

2025/07/27

To address a child's behavioural challenges, an adult must first understand their own behaviour according to relational neuroscience educator Jase Williams. Jase is a former Principal himself and speaks at schools about emotional regulation and how to redefine resilience. This episode the impact that covid 19 has had on emotional regulation of our students. Jase also gives his views on how to help children navigate success and failure in education and practical advice for parents dealing with

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37:14

The ESSENTIAL guide to teach READING with teachers...

School Shorts ·

2025/07/20

This is a MUST watch for any family who is just beginning the reading journey with their child. If you missed the parent information session at your school or if you just want to review the information your school may have already given you about the learning going on in the classroom - this is the episode for you. It has all the basics of what you need to know about how teachers will be teaching your kids to read, write and spell. It has lots of helpful advice about how you can support at home by

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25:30

Jackie Riach: Top Parenting Challenges with a...

School Shorts ·

2025/07/13

The most common parenting challenges that psychologists are called in to help with in schools and among families. Jackie Riach from the Positive Parenting Program works with schools who ask for help with a range of challenges. Jackie and Melissa discuss various topics including the importance of friendships, the impact of bullying, the role of chores in fostering responsibility, and the significance of self-esteem in children's development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

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24:16

Gina Urlich: Food Labels and Early Years Nutrition

School Shorts ·

2025/07/06

From nurse to clinical nutritionist and Mum of 4, Gina Urlich has seen the importance of good nutrition from all sides. In this episode, Gina speaks about the challenges of navigating food labels and advocates for better food regulations. She shares the critical role of nutrition in early childhood development, particularly during the first thousand days. We also talk about the significance of gut health and the impact of nutrition on children's learning and behavior. Hosted on Acast. See

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22:53

Motat's Julie Baker: School Holiday Fun with STEM

School Shorts ·

2025/06/29

Looking for some STEM inspiration for your weekends and school holidays? Motat's Education Lead Julie Baker joins us in this episode to discuss all the fun ways you can encourage your children to become more engaged in the subjects of science, technology and maths. Unfortunately enrolment in these subjects is in steady decline. Motat however is making it a mission to find the spark in more children - and has just won a major award as Exhibition of the Year at the Museum of the Year Awards in London

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22:49

Simon Brown: Setting Your Kids Up to be Good with Money

School Shorts ·

2025/06/22

Simon Brown is worried about the impact of declining levels of literacy on girls and ethnic minorities. In this episode, Simon talks about the worrying stats that have lead to financial literacy becoming a 'key' part of a refreshed social sciences curriculum. Banqer has been working with some schools already to provide this education through schools. Simon discusses the feedback from students and gives some practical advice for parents on how to help discuss money at home. Hosted on Acast. See

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35:04

Helen Walls: Handwriting - the Old School Learning Hack!

School Shorts ·

2025/06/15

If your handwriting flows with ease it gives you more space to think, remember what you've learnt and helps with reading and writing! All amazing reasons why handwriting is so important yet it has been largely ignored in many classrooms. Helen Walls is on a mission to change that through her work as 'The Writing Teacher'.She says the impact of handwriting in education is undervalued but it is crucial for overall learning.Helen talks about the role of parents in supporting handwriting and shares

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32:36

Felicity Powell: Education saved my life! Tips from a...

School Shorts ·

2025/06/08

In this inspiring episode, we talk with Felicity Powell—a brain tumour survivor, Harvard graduate, and now a rising star at a leading space agency. Felicity’s story is not just one of personal triumph, but also a passionate call to action. Having overcome immense challenges, she has become a powerful advocate for STEM education, especially for young women and underrepresented communities. Felicity especially advocates for neurodiverse students. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

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35:03

Sir John Kirwan: Talking to your kids about Mental...

School Shorts ·

2025/06/01

Sir John Kirwan reveals his struggles with reading and how that contributed to his sense of self worth in his school years. We know him now for his remarkable achievements in sport and as a campaigner for mental health - but JK says there is much work to be done to raise awareness among our young people. Thanks to his organisation, Mitey, many schools are now incorporating mental health as part of the curriculum. In this episode, JK talks about the role of teachers and parents, and the importance of

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37:04

Pam Snow: "Stop Blaming Parents" for Reading Challenges

School Shorts ·

2025/05/25

It's the hot take that ignites debate among teachers and parents. One of the most respected names in literacy education says parents and educators often have muddled perceptions of their roles in teaching reading and writing. In this episode, Pam Snow explains what she believes is crucial to do at home to help your child read - and what is better left to those who are trained in the science of literacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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28:05

Barbara Oakley: ADHD, Focus and How to Beat...

School Shorts ·

2025/05/18

Want to think like some of the greatest geniuses of our time? Barbara Oakley is the expert to teach you how to unlock the secrets to learning.As the creator of one of the most popular online classes in the world 'Learning How to Learn', Barbara explains in this episode how you can overcome procrastination and start to think in ways you might never have known your brain was capable of.The conversation highlights how learning differences like ADHD and dyslexia can be superpowers and gives practical

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31:40

Two Attempted Abductions at Schools: Senior Constable...

School Shorts ·

2025/05/11

Constable Brian Ward discusses the importance of child safety in schools and at home, addressing recent incidents of attempted abductions. He talks about the need to shift from teaching 'stranger danger' and instead help children to recognise tricky situations. The conversation covers practical safety strategies for parents, the role of police in school safety education, the challenges of online safety, and the importance of open communication between parents and children. Constable Ward also talks

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37:57

Erica Stanford: New Parent Information Tool

School Shorts ·

2025/05/04

New Zealand's Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, announces a new information tool for parents to help their children with reading, writing, maths and more.The Minister also reflects on the progress of the new structured literacy and maths curriculum - and reveals the one particular challenge that keeps her up at night. Minister Stanford hints at further announcements to come around extra funding and additional changes to the curriculum in other subjects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

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21:20

Toni Street SURPRISES NZ’s ‘Coolest Principal’ After...

School Shorts ·

2025/04/27

Sir Graham Henry called him NZs best ever Principal. He's also been called New Zealand's coolest Principal too - so exactly what is it that has made Bruce Cunningham so popular with staff, students and parents alike?We catch up with him a week as he retires from 45 years in education. His latest role as School Principal at Belmont Primary. Broadcaster Toni Street is one of the school mums there and has been vocal about just how amazing Bruce has been for the school - so we thought we would hear

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23:23

Grant Schofeld: The Processed Food & Mental Health...

School Shorts ·

2025/04/20

The truth about slushies! After seeing many alarming articles about the risk of slushy ice drinks to children especially under 8, Melissa decided to find out what all the panic was about. In this episode, she speaks with Grant Schofield - a Professor of Public Health at Auckland University of Technology. They look at the importance of whole foods and challenges of preparing healthy school lunches. They also discuss breakfast myths and challenges around youth mental health. Hosted on Acast. See

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