We want our children to be successful. And we want them to be happy. That goes without saying. But what exactly does that mean? For most parents that means doing well academically at a great school. It can also mean following in a parent’s successful career. Doctors want their children to become doctors. Restaurant owners assume their children will ...
As popular media started using psychological term 'executive functions', more and more parents are learning about the importance of increasing executive functioning capabilities as a critical developmental stepping stone in virtually every area of child’s life. But what is ‘executive functioning’ and how does it relate to your child’s development into a teenager and young adult? First, executive ...
Many years ago I remember a New Yorker cartoon depicting two parents bringing their child to school for the first time and talking to the principal. To paraphrase what I remember from the cartoon their comment was something like this: “We have raised Johnny so that he has never experienced a harsh word or any negativity in his whole life. ...
Every child, just as each parent, is different from another. A child may act out for numerous reasons, which include being tired, hungry, feeling ill or have a need that isn't being satisfied. The action may be with a punch, a kick or a push… it’s a way for your child to express that he/she is angry, overwhelmed ...
As a psychologist living and working in Toronto, where 51% of residents were born outside Canada, I deal with immigration related ...
Autism has been in the spotlight for many years. In movies, television, and novels, autistic characters are portrayed to have ...
If your child is struggling behaviourally or academically, his school may recommend that he take what is known as a ...
tory telling is an important part of normal development, and it is present across cultures and societies. Imagination and creativity that emerges during childhood allows for future advancements and discoveries throughout the lifespan. Replacing reality with our own version of life is an important coping skill but it can also serve to cause trouble. We all can enjoy the innocence ...
The human brain processes all sensory information whether or not you are fully aware of it. Most children are able to find a way to ignore extraneous information that is in their environment and focus on the information related to the activity or object of their immediate interest. Children who are hypersensitive take in all stimuli at once and at ...
Children are impulsive; they have difficulty controlling their behaviors and have a tendency to indulge in a moment’s satisfaction without thinking of the consequences. Let’s face it, adults have the same problem and they’ve had years of practice; don’t you recall that butterfly or skull tattoo you got when you were 18 or that time you told ...
Common Misconceptions: Finding out that your child or teenager has been self-harming can be a very anxiety-inducing event. There are many misconceptions about self-harm that can put further strain on the relationship between parent and child as they work to solve the underlying issues that cause this behavior. The first misconception is that self-harm is always a suicide attempt. It ...
