Optometrists are using new research gathered as part of a project designed to better understand screen use amongst children to call for more “green time” (time spent outside engaging with nature) and less screen time, with study results showing that most Australian children are spending more than double the amount of time indoors on screens than the World Health Organisation recommendation.

The bacteria which causes whooping cough – a highly contagious bacterial infection which kills over 250,000 children worldwide each year, leaving many others with brain damage – is “becoming smarter” at colonising and feeding off unwitting hosts – whether they have been vaccinated or not – strengthening calls for a new vaccine in coming years, according to UNSW researchers.

La Trobe University and the Telethon Kids Institute are trialling new eye-tracking technology to support the earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children.

Two studies have been produced by the Learning Policy Institute (LPI), aimed at exploring the connection between successful outcomes for children entering school, the preparation of educators entering the workforce and the effective policies and practices needed for early education preparation.

Big Ted, Jemima and their friends from Play School have teamed up with the eSafety Commissioner to help families with young children start 2020 with good online safety habits through a Family Tech Agreement.