Recent research reveals that 20.8% of children experience chronic pain at some point, affecting about five kids per classroom. This pain can cause them to miss 22% of school, leading to lost learning, isolation, and potential bullying.

Chronic pain, lasting over three months, can continue into adulthood, often predicting work-loss. One challenge is the stigma, as pain is invisible.

Teaching children new ways to think about pain can help them manage it and using age-appropriate language can improve communication about pain.

For National Children’s Week (19th – 27th October), Clinton is joined by Dr Joshua Pate, a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at University of Technology Sydney with expertise in the complexity of pain and pain management.

Dr Pate’s research has received a global audience through his TED-Ed video ‘The mysterious science of pain’, and his children’s book series ‘Zoe and Zak’s Pain Hacks’.

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