Classes, tuition, sport and music can leave a child with no time to just be a child. The signs of an overscheduled child, how to decide what stays, and how much free time children need.

What paediatricians recommend at each age, the signs it's too much, and how to set limits that hold without a fight every evening.

There's no official number, but there is a sensible guide. Minutes by age, why daily matters more than long, and what to do if your child won't read for that long.

What executive function is, what to expect at each age from 6 to 14, and everyday games, routines and habits that help a child remember, plan and stay on track.

What each genre gives a child, which kind of child it tends to suit, and how to widen a reader who only wants one kind of book.

Only children aren't lonelier or more spoiled than others, but they do need a different plan for company, play and time alone. Practical ideas for ages 6–14.

Small, daily and tied to something that already happens. How to make reading part of your child's day, and how to restart when the routine slips.

There's no perfect age, but there is a sensible order: a basic phone first, a smartphone later, social media last. Signs your child is ready, and rules that make the first phone go well.

How long children can really focus at each age, why it feels harder today, and the habits and activities that build concentration.

Confidence with the words and confidence with ideas. How to give your child easy wins, praise that helps, and a way to read aloud without the fear.