Helping Kids Make Sense of the World

This week, we’re releasing a Special Edition to help kids understand the weekend’s events in Iran and support classroom conversations. We’re also revisiting our Women’s Football Shortcut as the Women’s Asian Cup kicks off in Australia, and reminding you that entries for PM for a Day close on March 13. Plus, we have a super-cute cat video because we needed it!

Over the weekend, the United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on targets in Iran, describing the action as aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Iran has condemned the attacks and has launched missiles and drones in response. World leaders are now urging restraint, with emergency diplomatic meetings underway.

For many students, this may be the first time they’re hearing about Iran, or about escalating conflict between countries. For others — particularly those with family ties to the United States, Israel or the Middle East — it may feel more immediate.

On Monday’s podcast, we’ll release a Special Edition explaining what’s happened, why it matters, and what students need to understand — using calm, factual, age-appropriate language.

After the Bondi Special Edition last year, many of you told us how helpful it was to have clear wording to support classroom conversations during a difficult moment. That feedback shaped our thinking. When major events unfold quickly and are likely to enter playground discussions or social feeds, we believe it’s important to provide students with context rather than leave space for misinformation or heightened fear.

You may see us do this again in the future — though we hope only rarely — when significant global events warrant careful explanation.

It’s completely normal for children to feel unsettled by news of conflict. Encouraging them to ask questions and talk with a trusted adult can help them process what they’re hearing.

To our teaching community in the United States, Israel, the Middle East and Australia — thank you for being part of Squiz Kids Today. We’re here to support you and your learners with thoughtful, age-appropriate explanations of the big stories shaping our world.

As always, you’re invited to get in touch with any feedback or suggestions at [email protected].

With the Women’s Asian Cup kicking off in Australia yesterday and running through to March 21, we’re rerunning one of our most-loved Shortcuts: Women’s Football (Soccer).

In the episode, we explore the surprising origins of the game involving Mary Queen of Scots…. The jaw-dropping 1920 Boxing Day match that drew a crowd of 53,000, before unpacking the 1921 ban that pushed women’s football off official grounds for 50 years. We also revisit the moment Australia’s national team finally became known as The Matildas in 1995, after a nationwide phone poll and some truly questionable name suggestions.

You can catch it all in your podcast feed or on the Squiz Kids website on Tuesday.

If you’re planning any persuasive writing, civics, or public speaking this term, this is your moment.

Our PM for a Day competition invites students to tell us — in a short video — what they would change to make Australia a better place to live, if they were Prime Minister for a day. It’s a powerful way to build civic literacy, critical thinking and confident communication, all while encouraging students to engage thoughtfully with democracy and the issues shaping their world.

But you’ll need to move quickly — entries close March 13.

The winning student and their parent or guardian will be flown to Canberra to be PM For A Day – visiting Question Time, getting a guided tour of Parliament House and receiving a personalised tour of Government House by the Governor-General herself. experiencing first-hand how decisions are made at the heart of Australian democracy

If your students would like to enter, now is the time to get those cameras rolling. Full details, entry information and Terms & Conditions are available via the Squiz Kids website.

A four-eared kitten named Dobby has captured hearts online this week after being born with an extra pair of ears thanks to a rare genetic mutation. The tiny black kitten, currently in foster care, has perfectly formed “bonus ears” tucked behind the usual pair — giving the strong impression that he might just have surround-sound hearing.

While the extra ears don’t actually work, Dobby is healthy, happy and utterly adorable — and a delightful reminder that sometimes being a little different is exactly what makes you extraordinary.

And apologies to the dog lovers in our community — I promise I’ll keep an eye out for something tail-waggingly good for you soon.

If you ever come across a story that could be a Fun Finish for our community, send it my way at [email protected].

Monday – Dr Seuss Day
Tuesday – Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon)
– World Wildlife Day
– World Hearing Day
Wednesday – Holi Festival – Hindu Festival of Colours
Thursday – Cruft’s Dog Show (the world’s largest) begins in the UK
– Men’s AFL season 2026 commences
Friday – Denim Day for Dementia
Saturday – Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins
Sunday – International Women’s Day