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’...
Establishing clear, consistent rules is fundamental to good parenting. Kids need structure to feel secure in their environment, learn the importance of boundaries, and understand which behaviors are appropriate. When applied in excess, however, rules can be counterproductive; while authoritative parenting is associated with a range of developmental benefits, controlling parenting can cause emotional and psychological harm. Knowing the difference ...
Praise has long been extolled for its virtues as a positive parenting tool. When used correctly, praise is a great way to let kids know which behaviours are appropriate, help them rebound from setbacks, and build their self-esteem. Unfortunately, praise also has a dark side: Excessive, nonspecific admiration from parents has the potential to encourage narcissistic traits – while actually harming ...
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 ...
Having a sense of fairness is a great virtue and a sign that your child has a strong moral compass. ...
So here you are. Your child has done something wrong or hasn’t done something they should have done. In ...
Politics has always been a controversial topic, but rarely has our political climate been as divisive as it is right ...
Having well-developed social skills is fundamental to achieving personal success and happiness. Social skills help kids express themselves, advocate for their needs, collaborate with others, and establish strong, fulfilling relationships. Without adequate social skills, children often become isolated and prone to emotional and behavioural problems, which may lead to more severe issues later in life. Kids learn the bulk ...
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 ...
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 ...
