Dr. Tali Shenfield holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Toronto and is a licensed school and clinical psychologist. She has taught at the University of Toronto and has worked at institutions including the Hospital for Sick Children, Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, TDSB, and YCDSB. Dr. Shenfield is the Founder and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychology Services.
Though the term “gifted” was first coined by educator Leta Hollingworth in 1922, this condition remains profoundly misunderstood. Parents, educators, and even some medical professionals rely heavily on intellectual aptitudes to identify gifted children, without considering the many social and emotional aspects of giftedness. This approach leaves many gifted kids vulnerable to being misdiagnosed with behavioural or developmental disorders. Not only ...
If your child has been through a traumatic experience, as a parent, your foremost thought is probably restoring her sense of safety and emotional security. While these instincts are correct, it’s important to also understand that the aftermath of trauma is complex and often challenging to manage. Without a solid understanding of the many ways trauma can affect children, ...
We all want our kids to enjoy the social and professional advantages conferred by high intelligence, but few parents understand how to effectively nurture this trait. Though a wealth of purportedly intelligence-boosting toys, apps, books, and games exist, the evidence behind them is mixed and often insufficient. In fact, research has shown that many simple, traditional childhood activities rank among ...
Though childhood is portrayed as a carefree time, the day-to-day lives of our kids are often more stressful than we realize. At the same time kids are learning to function independently in the world, they must work hard to get good grades, make friends, and deal with social pressures (both online and offline). Children may also become anxious about global ...
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 ...
Social media has become woven into the fabric of our everyday lives; it’s how we stay in touch with friends and family, network professionally, and keep abreast of current events. Because we rely so heavily on social media, trying to completely eliminate its usage is becoming an increasingly unrealistic endeavor, even for kids. Knowing how to stay safe on ...
In Canada, more than 1 in 10 youth are living with a disability, and over half (59.8%) of these youth have a learning disability. Kids affected by physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities have a broad range of experiences, from mild, selective impairment to significant challenges in multiple areas of their lives. When provided with enough support at home and at school, most disabled ...
Having an imaginary friend is a normal, healthy part of most kids’ development. Studies show that up to 60 percent of children between the ages of three and eight will invent an imaginary companion at some point. Some imaginary friends are completely incorporeal beings, while others are personified by physical objects, such as a favourite stuffed animal or doll. Regardless of ...
Every child differs in his/her developmental capacity and pace. Some children learn to speak earlier than others. Some learn ...
With climate change becoming an increasingly common theme in politics, news, and even entertainment, it’s no wonder more young ...
If your child is struggling behaviourally or academically, his school may recommend that he take what is known as a ...
