The new year often means a new season of kids’ sports. Many families may be pondering whether to commit to another season or discovering their child is now saying they’d like to quit their usual sport. My husband and I faced this dilemma last year when our nine-year-old wanted to quit Nippers (junior surf lifesaving). […] … learn more→
Author Archives: Kevin
What makes kids want to drop out of sport, and how should parents respond?
The importance of knowing starting skills for teaching writing
What do we think when someone asks us how we write? Probably, if our handwriting is legible or if we follow the spelling rules… but writing goes much further. Writing is representing thought through graphic symbols in a coherent, orderly and meaningful way, following a common thread and using language appropriate to the reader. Thus, the difficult […] … learn more→
Borrowing money isn’t always a bad thing – debt can be a sensible way to build wealth
Debt, in some form or another, is part of our financial profiles whether we like it or not. And it can be a useful way to build wealth if it is managed carefully and wisely. For example, you may borrow money from the bank to buy an asset – a resource of economic value that […] … learn more→
Melodramatic potboilers, worthy classics and DIY escapism: a brief history of the beach read
“Like most people I read a book or two on holiday,” says Stuart, a character in Julian Barnes’ 1991 novel Talking it Over. He does not have time for recreational reading; it must wait until he is at leisure. His best friend, the erudite but erratically employed Oliver, derides this attitude. To Oliver, a summer reader […] … learn more→
Exploring the mathematical universe – connections, contradictions, and kale
Science and maths skills are widely celebrated as keys to economic and technological progress, but abstract mathematics may seem bafflingly far from industrial optimisation or medical imaging. Pure mathematics often yields unanticipated applications, but without a time machine to look into the future, how do mathematicians like me choose what to study? Over Thai noodles, […] … learn more→
Balance and challenges of epidemiology in the third year of the pandemic
When will be the year of epidemiology? There will be those who think that it has already been. But those of us who dedicate ourselves to this branch of science know that there will never be a dedicated year because everyone has their own desire and challenges. The year 2022, like the two previous years, has been […] … learn more→
Handling client management at your small financial services business
The stock market has taken a dip over the last year or so. The crypto market has been ravaged with people losing millions from legitimate investing. Others lost from investing in crypto firms where the founders took the money and ran. Managing money can be difficult for those without the knowledge to do so. Advisors […] … learn more→
The history and mystery of Tangram, the children’s puzzle game that harbours a mathematical paradox or two
Have you played the puzzle game Tangram? I remember, as a child, being fascinated by how just seven simple wooden triangles and other shapes could offer endless entertainment. Unlike LEGO, the Tangram pieces do not snap together, and unlike the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, they do not form a painted picture. Instead, Tangram invites […] … learn more→
Listening to the song of melting glaciers
August 22, 2022. Kongsvegen Glacier, 20 km east of Ny Ålesund, in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, as close to the North Pole as Marseille from Paris. That’s it, we have reached the bottom of the glacier, which is 327 meters below our feet. After drilling in the ice for 6 hours, our hot water jet […] … learn more→
How to get the most out of sand play: 4 tips from a sculptor
One of the things kids love most about the beach is the chance to play with sand. Sand is an excellent material to play with. It is versatile, widely available, open-ended and cheap. Not only is it nature-based, but it involves manipulation, exploration, and construction with materials to create imaginary worlds. On top of being endlessly fun, research […] … learn more→
