Resources
This page has been curated with a variety of resources for whānau, kaiako, kura and others who support tamariki and rangatahi.
Websites
Mana Ake
Mana Ake provides support to children in Canterbury, in years 1-8 at school, promoting wellbeing and positive mental health.
Stronger Schools
Stronger Schools delivers health and wellbeing guidance for educators and other school staff working with primary-school-aged children.
Lives in the Balance
Lives in the Balance advocates for our most vulnerable kids, and helps caregivers see them through more accurate, productive lenses and intervene in evidence-based ways that are collaborative, proactive, non-punitive, non-exclusionary, and effective.
Austism NZ
Taking every step together, our vision is to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. Autism NZ assists autistic people and those who make up their support network to learn about autism and find the supports and services they would like to access.
Manu ka Rere
Mana Ake is a service for youth aged 13-24 years who may be facing mental health and/or alcohol and drug issues. The service provides short-term intervention - assessment, treatment and support.
ADDitude
ADDitude is the world’s most trusted resource for families and adults living with ADHD and related conditions, and for the professionals who work with them.
Sparklers
Sparklers was developed in response to requests from the education sector for tools to help them support and promote the wellbeing of young Cantabrians.
NZ RTLB
This pae tukutuku is designed by RTLB for RTLB, to connect and engage RTLB across Aotearoa, promoting innovative and effective practice.
ADHD NZ
Formed in 1979, ADHD NZ is the largest and longest-standing non-profit organisation committed to supporting those living with ADHD in New Zealand.
Dyslexia Foundation NZ
Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand (DFNZ) was formed in November 2006 to provide a voice for, and services to, the estimated one in ten New Zealanders with dyslexia as well as to those supporting them.
Tāhūrangi
Welcome to Tāhūrangi - our new home for curriculum content, teaching materials and news. This site will eventually replace TKI so that educatore have one place to go to find the content that supports their mahi.
The Education Hub
The Education Hub was launched in 2017 with a mission to bridge the gap between research and practice in education in order to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for children and young people.
Revelations in Education
The website of Dr. Lori Desautels. She is the author of five books and writes for brain journals and Edutopia while traveling the world to meet with schools and organisations, sharing how our nervous systems are impacted by trauma and adversity.
Pathways 2 Success
Pathways to Success' mission is to prepare youth, adults, and their
families for successful lives. We utilize innovative and creative approaches in mentoring and education to help individuals develop to be healthy, productive, and contributing citizens.
Edutopia
Edutopia is dedicated to transforming pre-K-12 education so that all students can acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to thrive in their studies, careers, and adult lives.
Grow Waitaha
The goal of Grow Waitaha is to enable schools and kura to reimagine education for young people across the region. Their vision is that all ākonga are provided with innovative, connected and responsive teaching, learning experiences, pathways and environments.
Manahau
Manahau is your ultimate school wellbeing toolkit. Each week Manahau provides new engaging activities and resources that are steeped in the latest wellbeing science while also designed to support hauora across your learning space for not only ākonga but the entire classroom as well as whānau.
Listening to Families
Designed for families, and for educators and health professionals working with young people, Listening
to Families connects you with trusted specialists, empowering individuals, whānau and communities with advice and support.
FASD-CAN
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder -
Care Action Network's purpose is to unite caregivers, support whānau and individuals, strengthen communities and educate about FASD across Aotearoa.
The First Five
FREE daily resource for educators! Practical ideas and activities that are perfect for the first five minutes of class time! NEW activities and ideas every day that focus on classroom connections, self-care, care for others, and the development of character.
Books
Lost At School
Lost and Found provids educators with highly practical, explicit guidance on implementing Dr Ross Greene's Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Problem Solving model with behaviorally-challenging students.
The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog
In this classic work of developmental psychology, renowned psychiatrist and the coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller What Happened to You? reveals how trauma affects children—and outlines the path to recovery.
Beyond Behaviours
In Beyond Behaviors, pediatric psychologist Dr. Mona Delahooke describes behaviours as the tip of the iceberg, important signals that we should address by seeking to understand a child’s individual differences in the context of relational safety.
Getting More Out Of Restorative Practice In Schools
This book provides insight into a variety of issues RP can help schools with, and addresses them in practical ways to help schools implement restorative practice to its full potential.
I Am Autistic/This Is ADHD
Essential guides to understanding autism- and Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder, written (and illustrated) from a personal perspective.
Niho Taniwha
Niho Taniwha equips educators with culturally responsive practices to better serve and empower Māori students and their whānau.
K I Al-Ghani Books
K. I. Al-Ghani is a special educational needs teacher, university lecturer and international author. She is currently a specialist teacher and is involved with training professionals, students and parents in all aspects of autism.
Dare To Lead
Dare to Lead is a leadership book that emphasises the importance of vulnerability and empathy in the workplace. It presents research-backed strategies for cultivating trust, resilience, and collaboration.
Hey Sigmund Books
Karen Young is a psychologist who has worked extensively with children teens and families. Her popular books support children to understand anxiety, their feelings and learn about their magnificent brains.
Teaching To The North-East
Teaching to the North-East responds to the marginalisation of particular groups of students with a way of teaching intended to increase equity in the education system.
The Brain-Based Classroom
The Brain-Based Classroom translates findings from educational neuroscience into a new paradigm of practices suitable for any teacher.
The Hikairo Schema
The Education Hub was launched in 2017 with a mission to bridge the gap between research and practice in education in order to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for children and young people.
What Happened To You?
Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain development and trauma expert, Dr Bruce Perry, discuss the impact of trauma and adverse experiences and how healing must begin with a shift to asking 'What happened to you?' rather than 'What's wrong with you?'.
Mental Health Education And Hauora
This resource supports teaching children and young people about mental health, wellbeing, resilience, and interpersonal skills.
Teaching For Positive Behaviour
What teachers do in the classroom makes a huge difference to student wellbeing. Teaching for Positive Behaviour has been written for teachers in all New Zealand schools and kura to help them support the behaviour, engagement, participation and learning of children and young people.
He Māpuna Te Tamaiti
He Māpuna te Tamaiti is a resource designed for kaiako in early learning settings. It promotes proactive, intentional approaches to supporting the development of children's social and emotional competence.
When the Adults Change, Everything Changes
You can buy in the best behaviour tracking software, introduce 24/7 detentions or scream 'NO EXCUSES' as often as you want - but ultimately the solution lies with the behaviour of the adults.
Ups and Downs
Ups and Downs’ draws on Polyvagal Theory, a widely accepted neuroscientific theory, to support young people to understand why they feel and do as they do, and how to do differently when they need to. Driving brains and bodies isn’t easy! It takes time, experience, and the right information – so let’s give them that.
Videos
5 Moore Minutes
Five Moore Minutes is a website with videos dedicated to empowering schools and classrooms to support ALL Learners! This website and video series offers resources, research, professional development activities and inspiration in 5 minute chunks!
Unlocking Potential
Teenage documentary maker Elliot Jones disrupts stereotypes of dyslexia by presenting the strengths and capabilities of dyslexic thinking. He hopes it will invite a more open and thriving narrative about how dyslexia can take you places you may never have imagined.
The Danger of a Single Story
Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.
The Sweeper Van
Shelley Moore talks about the supports that exist for children. She argues that we need to move away form supports that are designed for specific students and instead create environments of inclusive support that can help all students to take risks and be successful.
Getting Relationships Right
In this talk, Dr. Kent Pekel shares five essential actions that adults can take to build developmental relationships with young people in families, schools, programs, and other settings.
School suspensions are an adult behavior
There is an epidemic of school suspensions and the downstream consequences are severe. When dealing with the difficult behaviours of children, what if we turned our focus inward?
The Myth of Average
High school dropout turned Harvard faculty, L. Todd Rose, talks about how a simple new way of thinking helps nurture individual potential. Rose is a faculty member at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he teaches Educational Neuroscience.
The Barbershop Where Men Go To Heal
Matt Brown is an internationally acclaimed barber and hair artist, author, husband, and father of three He is a survivor of family and childhood sexual abuse and shares his story as a way to foster vulnerability, healing, and connection.
Every kid needs a champion
Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, puts out a rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.
Equal Opportunity?
A moving demonstration of the impact privilege can have on the race we each run.
Every Opportunity
Every Opportunity shows the difference between a school in crisis- based survival mode, versus one that puts students into the learning brain through the foundation of relationships.
Red / Green Brain
This is a short animated video which explains what happens in our brain when something stresses us. It talks about 'stressors' and explains why we can lose our temper at the smallest things - like losing your keys!
The Power of Words
At the age of six, Sala Tiatia experienced domestic violence for the first time. It was the verbal abuse however, that bought the most darkness to Sala’s internal world—until one particular English class, with one particular English teacher, turned Sala’s dark world around.
Trauma and the Nervous System
This video was developed to give a basic introduction and overview of how trauma and chronic stress affects our nervous system and how those effects impact our health and well-being. Much of the content is based on the groundbreaking work of Stephen Porges and his Polyvagal Theory.
Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain
This is a version of Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain "Don't Flip Your Lid". This video shows how our brain and emotions are linked and what we can do to remain calm so we don't "flip our lids" and how to self-regulate if we DO flip our lids.
How teachers can help me learn
Katrina, a student from Onslow College talks about what teachers can do to support her learning.
10 Ways to Teach me
Brigham shares his perspective of the top 10 things that make a difference for him as a learner. This video focuses on Māori achieving educational success as Māori, drawing on student voice.
Podcasts
Episode 217: Declarative Language - A New Strategy for Neurodivergent Communication
Often, neurodivergent people have a completely different communication experience than neurotypicals. They respond differently to regulation, attention, and motivation, and often parents struggle when trying to improve connections with their kids. Linda Murphy is the author of The Declarative Language Handbook, and we present an encore of our conversation from 2023, with ideas on how to reframe communication and break down barriers.
Episode 4: I've Got Questions: The Importance of Relationships
The episode also examines the challenges that can arise within relationships, such as communication barriers, conflicts, and misunderstandings, offering insights into how to navigate these issues effectively. Listeners can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the value of nurturing healthy relationships and practical tips for strengthening their interpersonal connections.
Episode 11: I've Got Questions: What is Trauma?
The word trauma is used a lot. What do we actually mean by that word, and how can we recognise it in ourselves and others?
Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
The Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR) works to end harmful school discipline practices like restraint and seclusion, which disproportionately impact vulnerable students. They advocate for trauma-informed, relationship-based approaches and provide resources, training, and advocacy tools to promote safer, more inclusive schools.
Unconditional Love with Jase Williams
"UNCONDITIONAL with JASE WILLIAMS" is a podcast that features personal stories of trauma and resilience. In one episode, Joe shares his experiences as a trauma survivor, discussing early exposure to violence, child abuse and neglect, and surviving two violent anti-LGBTQ hate crimes.
Unlocking Us: With Brené Brown
"Unlocking Us" is a podcast by Brené Brown that explores human emotions, relationships, and personal growth. Through interviews and solo discussions, she delves into topics like courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy with notable guests. The podcast aims to help listeners live and lead with authenticity and wholeheartedness. It has received critical acclaim and is available on major streaming platforms.
Brené Brown. Dare to Lead
"Dare to Lead" is a podcast hosted by Brené Brown, featuring conversations with change-makers, culture-shifters, and innovators who are leading with courage and authenticity.
The podcast delves into topics such as vulnerability, courage, and leadership, offering insights from experts and practitioners.
Episodes include discussions on creating inclusive cultures, leading with purpose in the digital age, and understanding the heart of daring leadership.
The ADHD kids can survive
Join Kate of ADHDKidsCanThrive, LLC as she explores and learns more about ADHD from thought leaders, experts and advocates. Kate hopes to engage parents, educators and the general community to help ADHD people reach their highest potential. Kate is a parent, author of How We Roll -A Parent’s Journey of Raising an ADHD child, founder of ADHDKIdsCanThrive.com and former media executive.