It Takes A Village RNZ Radio

Negative body image is a lifelong issue for many women which social media only serves to fuel. Yet the habits and self-talk of mothers can also have a profound effect on young girls becoming overly critical of their bodies. Psychologists Janet Boseovski and Ashleigh Gallagher offer advice on what to do and what not to do in their new book Beyond Body Positive: A Mother's Evidence-Based Guide for Helping Girls Build a Healthy Body Image.

We intuitively know music is powerful. Songs have the ability to shape the way that we feel about and interact with the world. Music therapists harness that power to help people overcome metal and physical challenges. It can be particularly useful for children who need a little extra push to meet their development goals. Sessions involve celebrating music in all its forms, singing songs and playing instruments. To celebrate World Music Therapy Week, which runs from the 10th to the 15th of April, Kathryn Ryan is joined by registered music therapist and clinical services manager at Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust Rachel Foxell.

Many parents will know the struggle of getting children off devices. But Rachel Clare has some great ideas.

Speech and language therapist Christian Wright on some of the most effective evidence based-strategies to build preschoolers language across the day.

The social aspect of school can be a minefield for some kids. Parents and caregivers can help them navigate the fickle world of friendship by asking questions that aren't the "nervous" kind, says Life Education Trust educator Ingrid Kemp.

School refusal is a different kettle of fish than a child simply wanting to stay home for a day. It's a situation where they become so anxious or fearful - and it can be for a variety of reasons - that they refuse to go, repeatedly. While it's difficult to measure how many kids experience this, Dr Rosina McAlpine, founder of the Win Win Parenting program in Australia, says it could be up to five percent. Dr Rosina founded the parenting wellness workshop, which has been run across Australia and New Zealand, when through her work she realised many working parents were lacking support on how to balance their home life. Dr Rosina has completed a Masters of Higher Education and an education-focused PhD and joins Kathryn Ryan from Sydney to discuss school refusal.