ADHD is notoriously difficult to differentiate from typical childhood behaviour. Small children are often hyperactive, impulsive, and moody because their executive functioning skills haven’t developed fully, which mimics the deficits seen in those with ADHD. For this reason, most experts recommend waiting until a child is five or six years old before pursuing ADHD screening (unless the child’s ...
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 ...
Over the last two decades, ideological polarization has become a prominent threat to democracy, education, and society as a whole. ...
As a psychologist living and working in Toronto, where 51% of residents were born outside Canada, I deal with immigration related ...
Politics has always been a controversial topic, but rarely has our political climate been as divisive as it is right ...
Being a parent is extremely rewarding, but it’s also a challenging and sometimes stressful role. Even when parents realize that their children don't intend to be difficult, they often succumb to feelings of frustration and helplessness in the wake of tantrums and poor behaviour. Over time, this can create a pattern of reacting to tense situations rather than responding ...
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 ...
All relationships go through ups and downs, including parent-child relationships. Today’s parents and children face numerous external pressures that can strain their bond, including economic concerns that keep parents working long or irregular hours, children facing historically high levels of homework, and the influence of mass media and the Internet. These obstacles often prevent parents and children from spending ...
Research shows that kids who do chores grow up to be happier, more successful adults. When kids pitch in around the house, they feel competent and valuable, which facilitates the development of healthy self-esteem, confidence, and resilience. Kids also learn practical skills by doing chores, including organizational skills, time management skills, and the ability to complete tasks independently. Unfortunately, getting ...
