Creating critical thinkers with Kate Whitaker

In this episode of Untidy, Matty and Hannah are joined by Kate Whitaker, Senior Advisor at Te Mana Whakaatu Classification Office for New Zealand and an expert in education and outreach. She has over a decade of classroom teaching and facilitation experience under her belt and is driven to enhance the lives of New Zealanders through practical resources for whānau and teachers, helping them to have open kōrero about challenging topics like harmful media and pornography. Kate’s work focuses on empowering youth, caregivers, and educators to build critical media literacy skills and break down the stigma surrounding these conversations. She shares actionable strategies to help parents feel equipped to guide their children through today’s media landscape, encouraging resilience and critical thinking rather than fear of what can feel like a daunting prospect in this modern era of parenting.  This episode delves into the importance of moving away from ‘moral panic’ and toward proactive, meaningful discussions and teaching self-management skills to tamariki and rangatahi youth. Kate highlights the tools available to New Zealanders for addressing these issues with confidence, offering insights into the role we all play in creating a safer, more understanding environment for young people. Find the resources mentioned in this episode: Te Mana Whakaatu Classification Office website Classification Office resources for parents and educators Find a viewing rating NZ Classification Office on Instagram Find a Rating We need you! The Untidy podcast team would dearly love to take out The Listeners’ Choice Award at the NZ Podcast Awards for 2024. Please vote here and get behind your favourite show in a groundswell of this Untidy community! Simply enter here:PODCAST NAME: UntidyYOUR EMAIL ADDRESS: (You’ve got this one.)LINK TO PODCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/6FKRdV8xqVU3vP5jfJ3TKi?si=d2dfade6daf64f8f COMMENT: (Not essential, but, if you want to show your love for the show, it might make all the difference!) Thank you! If you enjoy this episode of Untidy, please support the show by subscribing in your podcast app and tapping the ‘+ follow’ button. That way, you’ll never miss an episode. Help us to keep building this supportive community – subscribe, share an episode with a mate, and chuck us a 5-star review. Thank you for listening and supporting our independent production! You’re the best! Untidy is made for you – the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess we call parenthood! Follow the show and DM us on Instagram @untidypodcast or email [email protected]. Your stories and ideas to help us shape the show! Find us online at Untidy podcast. Find Matilda at @matootles and get your copy of The Feel Good Guide. Find Hannah at @hannahedavison and her My Big Moments children’s books at @mybigmoments. Enter code UNTIDY at checkout for 10% off your order.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.