Parenting
Understanding Toddler Behaviour
Understand what your toddler's behaviour is telling you, with an ABC diary, a trigger checker and a development stage cheat sheet.
A$24.99Buy
Parenting courses for calmer days and easier evenings
Short, practical courses on toddler behaviour, feelings, bedtime, screens and co-parenting, with charts, scripts and trackers you can use at home.
- 6 courses
- Tools in every course
- Certificate included
Most of what drives young children's behaviour is development: a toddler wants independence long before they have the words or the self-control to manage it. Knowing what is typical for their age makes it easier to stay calm and respond in a way that helps. For children up to 5, free advice on behaviour, sleep and development is available from your child and family health nurse.
Routines matter too. Australia's 24-hour movement guidelines suggest no sedentary screen time for children under 2 and no more than 1 hour a day for children aged 2 to 5. Children aged 5 to 17 should have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time a day. Recommended sleep is 11 to 14 hours (including naps) at 1 to 2 years, 10 to 13 hours at 3 to 5, and 9 to 11 hours at 5 to 13.
Our parenting courses are general education with practical tools, not therapy or legal advice. The separation course focuses on the children's needs, and points to services for safety concerns. If you or your children are not safe at home, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or 000 in an emergency.
All parenting courses
Parenting
Helping Children Manage Emotions
Practical emotion coaching for everyday life: a feelings chart, calm-down corner checklist, coaching scripts and balloon breathing to share.
A$27.99Buy
Parenting
Handling Toddler Tantrums
Spot the triggers, prevent what you can and stay calm in the moment, with response cards and a simple tantrum tracker.
A$27.99Buy
Parenting
Bedtime Routines for Children
A calm, step-by-step bedtime for children aged about 1 to 11, with a picture routine chart, a sleep diary and ready-made calm scripts.
A$27.99Buy
Parenting
Screen Time and Family Life
Set screen rules that work for your family, with a screen time audit, a family media agreement and a list of screen-free ideas.
A$27.99Buy
Parenting
Parenting After Separation
Practical co-parenting tools for separated families, including a parenting plan template, handover checklist and calm communication scripts.
A$32.99Buy
Find the right parenting course
- Puzzled by your toddler? Understanding Toddler Behaviour is the shortest course, with an ABC behaviour diary and a development stage cheat sheet.
- Dreading the next meltdown? Handling Toddler Tantrums covers triggers, what to say in the moment and how to prevent the next one.
- Big feelings at any age? Helping Children Manage Emotions teaches emotion coaching, with a feelings chart and a calm-down corner.
- Bedtime taking hours? Bedtime Routines for Children builds a picture routine and a screens-off plan.
- Screens taking over? Screen Time and Family Life starts with a family audit and ends with a media agreement everyone signs.
- Separated or separating? Parenting After Separation covers a co-parenting plan, handovers and how to communicate with the other parent.
What the parenting tools do
- Behaviour diaries and trigger checkers: record what happened before, during and after, so patterns become clear.
- Response and script cards: short phrases for tantrums, big feelings and bedtime, to keep on the fridge.
- Bedtime routine chart and child sleep diary: a picture chart your child can follow, and a log of how nights are going.
- Family screen time audit and media agreement: see where screen time goes, then agree rules together.
- Co-parenting plan and handover checklist: write down arrangements so children know what to expect.
When to get extra support
Speak to your GP or child and family health nurse when your child loses skills they had, has behaviour that changes suddenly, or often hurts themselves or others. Ask about development checks if you are worried about speech, play or movement.
Parents need support too. If you feel low or overwhelmed, see your GP or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Children and young people aged 5 to 25 can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 at any time.
If anyone in the family is being hurt or threatened, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency, call 000.
Parenting courses: your questions
Are tantrums normal?
Yes, tantrums are very common in toddlers and usually become less frequent as language and self-control develop. The tantrum course explains why they happen and how to respond calmly.
How much screen time is recommended for children?
Australia's guidelines suggest no sedentary screen time under 2 years, no more than 1 hour a day for 2 to 5 year olds, and no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time a day for 5 to 17 year olds. Less is better.
How much sleep does my child need?
The 24-hour movement guidelines suggest 11 to 14 hours including naps for toddlers aged 1 to 2, 10 to 13 hours for 3 to 5 year olds, 9 to 11 hours for 5 to 13 year olds, and 8 to 10 hours for 14 to 17 year olds.
Will the separation course give me legal advice?
No. It covers practical co-parenting, communication and helping children through change. For parenting arrangements and legal questions, get advice from a family lawyer or legal service.
Are the courses for dads as well as mums?
Yes. They are written for any parent or carer. Dads who want to talk something through can also call MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78, at any hour.
Can grandparents and other carers use them?
Yes. Many families share the courses so everyone uses the same routines and words, which helps children know what to expect.
Official sources
Notice the pattern first
Open the toddler behaviour course and fill in the ABC diary after the next tricky moment.