Exploring sexual behaviour is a normal part of adolescence, but parents must be mindful of the messages their children get about sex. Certain types of content, like hyper-sexualized entertainment, social media posts, and especially pornography, can hinder healthy sexual development. They can also give teens unrealistic ideas about relationships and, in the case of pornography, lead to addiction. If you’...
When electronic cigarettes were introduced to the Canadian market in 2004, they were intended to provide adults with a safer alternative to smoking. Unfortunately, e-cigarettes have multiple attributes that make them highly appealing to young people, leading to an explosive rise in adolescent vaping. Between 2011 and 2019, e-cigarette use among teens increased from 1.5% to 27.5%, according to the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Today, ...
Your child’s first impression of school sets the tone for the rest of his academic life. Research shows that children who have positive experiences after beginning school enjoy a healthier social life and a stronger academic record, whereas enduring negative experiences is associated with poorer performance and less enriching peer relationships. The most difficult aspect of beginning school is ...
Despite decades of social and legal progress, racism remains a persistent threat to the well-being of Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour (BIPOC). Systemic racism is still present in many institutions, including schools, and it affects children as well as adults. Over half of all children in Canada say they’ve witnessed racial bullying at school, and 21% haven’t ...
Over the past 50 years, our understanding of the gifted mind has evolved substantially. Today, researchers and educators know that gifted children aren’t just profoundly intelligent; they think – and learn – differently than neurotypical children. As such, extra work alone won’t keep them engaged in the classroom or inspire them to reach their full potential. Instead, these children require targeted ...
There’s no definitive guide to being a single parent; no matter how you approach it, raising a child on your own comes with unique challenges and rewards. Single parents have greater control over some aspects of family life than dual-parent households, but the responsibility of being sole provider and decision-maker can feel overwhelming. Though lone-parent families now make up 20% ...
The friendships kids make during their preschool years are important. These early peer bonding experiences help kids learn the social and communication skills they’ll need to enjoy a happy, healthy childhood and adolescence. Making strong friendships at a young age also builds confidence and self-esteem, giving a kids a more positive outlook on themselves and others. Making friends comes ...
Kids misbehave for a wide variety of different reasons, and some children are inherently easier to parent than others. Finding the right methods of guidance can therefore feel confusing and overwhelming, especially if techniques that worked with one of your children don’t work with his or her siblings. However, while it’s true that parenting is an adaptive and ...
If your child is struggling behaviourally or academically, his school may recommend that he take what is known as a ...
Having a sense of fairness is a great virtue and a sign that your child has a strong moral compass. ...
Every child differs in his/her developmental capacity and pace. Some children learn to speak earlier than others. Some learn ...
