Experiencing fear is an important stage in emotional development. Normal childhood fears (e.g., being scared of the dark, monsters, etc.) teach kids how to measure and understand risk, evaluate potentially dangerous situations, and manage anxiety. Learning these skills is a necessary part of preparing for adulthood, and there’s a lot parents can do to help their kids process ...
As kids grow up, they move from a state of complete dependence to one of independence. Clinginess in young children therefore doesn’t come as a surprise to most parents: Kids rely on their parents for support and safety, so it’s normal for them to become anxious at the prospect of separation. If your child seems significantly more clingy ...
Throughout most of human history, children slept close to their parents for protection. Young children therefore naturally tend to become anxious when left alone in the dark; their brains are hardwired to seek the safety of adult companionship after nightfall. Small children need to be proactively shown how to relax and feel secure at night even when their parents aren’...
With climate change becoming an increasingly common theme in politics, news, and even entertainment, it’s no wonder more young people than ever seem concerned about the state of our environment. But that concern can become a mental health risk when it is too intense or not managed properly—and kids and teenagers can be particularly susceptible. Below, we’ll ...
For the parents of overweight children, every day is a balancing act; on one hand, there is the natural desire ...
The human brain processes all sensory information whether or not you are fully aware of it. Most children are able ...
So here you are. Your child has done something wrong or hasn’t done something they should have done. In ...
One of the greatest challenges of parenting lies in trying to understand the sometimes baffling behaviour of children. When a child suddenly refuses to do something simple and routine, for example, or throws a tantrum with no apparent provocation, we’re left searching for answers. If your child’s odd behaviour isn’t being triggered by something obvious, like fatigue ...
To the parents of children with learning disabilities, it will come as no surprise that anxiety often goes hand in hand with learning problems. Of course, some degree of worry and fear is to be expected when a child’s academic performance is compromised. Having to face frustration and uncertainty every day at school would, after all, make anyone nervous. ...
Almost all children go through a period of being afraid of the dark. This may manifest as a simple fear of darkness itself or as a fear of monsters or intruders who only come out at night. What’s more, these fears often last longer than parents realize; according to a study conducted in Australia, 64% of preteens and teens (those ...
With cases of coronavirus continuing to mount around the world, it’s all but impossible to shield kids from news that make them anxious. Though COVID-19 virus generally does not cause serious illness in children, that doesn’t stop kids from worrying about the implications of dealing with a frightening new disease. Kids can be exposed to misinformation about coronavirus, ...
