The Journal · 10 articles

Kids & Family

Active play, family meals and calmer bedtimes for under-5s.

Father reading a book to his young child on a garden bench
Kids & Family · 4 min read

A Bedtime Routine for Toddlers That Actually Works

A study of more than 10,000 families found a consistent bedtime routine was linked to better sleep — and more nights meant better results. Here's a simple one.

Young child asleep with their head on a white pillow
Kids & Family · 4 min read

How Much Sleep Do Toddlers and Preschoolers Need?

Recommended hours from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sample schedules with naps, and signs your child isn't getting enough.

White bowl of fresh strawberries and blueberries on a blue table
Kids & Family · 4 min read

Added Sugar and Under-5s: The Simple Rules

The American Heart Association recommends no added sugar under 2 and under 25 g a day from age 2. What that means in real food.

Young child sitting at a table looking at a tablet
Kids & Family · 4 min read

Screen Time Under 5: What the Guidelines and Research Say

No screens under 2, an hour or less for 2–4-year-olds. Why the limits exist, what a large study found, and practical ways to make it work.

Colourful playground climbing frame and slide among green trees
Kids & Family · 4 min read

Outdoor Play Ideas for Ages 1–5

Parks, gardens, beaches and pavements — simple outdoor games that build balance, coordination and confidence, plus a weekly plan.

Parents and two young children preparing food together in a bright kitchen
Kids & Family · 4 min read

Why Family Meals Matter (Even 3 a Week)

A meta-analysis of 17 studies and more than 180,000 children linked three or more shared meals a week with healthier eating. How to make it happen.

Young child playing inside a small fabric tent in a living room
Kids & Family · 4 min read

15 Indoor Active Games for Rainy Days (Ages 1–5)

No garden, bad weather, small flat? These games get toddlers and preschoolers moving indoors with things you already own.

Father feeding his toddler at a bright family table
Kids & Family · 4 min read

Picky Eaters: How to Help Young Children Like Vegetables

A randomised trial with 2–6-year-olds found that a tiny daily taste of a disliked vegetable worked. Here's the method, step by step.

Two children running and laughing across a sunny park
Kids & Family · 4 min read

How Active Should Toddlers and Preschoolers Be?

Three hours a day sounds like a lot — until you see what counts. The early-years movement guidelines, explained simply, with ideas for every age.