Temper tantrums are a normal - if frustrating - part of child development. Most children begin throwing tantrums at 12-18 months of age and stop at around age four (hence why the phrase “terrible twos” is often applied to toddlers). Tantrums arise from the emotional challenges kids in this age bracket face, so they shouldn’t be misinterpreted as rebelliousness ...
As adults, we understand that violence is not permissible under any circumstances. When you see your child hit another child, it’s therefore normal to feel worried, upset, and embarrassed. Many parents are surprised by how strong their emotions become when they witness their child hitting: Even if you know your child is probably just overwhelmed (and unaware of how ...
For centuries, parents were taught that effective child-rearing consists of rewarding good behaviour while punishing bad behaviour. Parents assumed that this would teach their children self-control, and having excellent self-control would allow them to resist temptation and act appropriately. Today, we know human behaviour isn’t that black and white. Kids usually act out not because they want to misbehave ...
Parents try many different strategies in order to encourage their children to behave well: They reason with them, they reward them, they sometimes even nag or cajole them… But what if we’re overlooking the most effective way of connecting with our kids and teaching them self-regulation skills? According to numerous experts on child development, we are—and the answer ...
For the parents of overweight children, every day is a balancing act; on one hand, there is the natural desire ...
Parenting is one of the most demanding jobs one will ever have. A parent’s desire to do the right ...
Too often, the emotional side of giftedness is overlooked; for all that we laud the intellectual complexity of giftedness, seldom ...
When we’re observing someone else’s behaviour, it’s easy to appreciate the value of self-restraint. When we coach our children to “take a deep breath” or have a time out when they’re upset, for example, the value of emotional management becomes plain to see. Sometimes, however, we don’t recognize our own need for self-regulation strategies. Parenting ...
Few things about children baffle parents and teachers as much as sudden meltdowns. Sometimes a child is generally caring, gregarious, and insightful, but the moment she becomes frustrated by a task, fireworks begin. If this only happens occasionally, it’s probably nothing to worry about. When it happens frequently, however, it can lead to problems with learning and socialization. If ...
This article helps parents navigate the emotional landscape of ADHD, including the triggers that may cause a child to shut down, as well as hidden signs of anxiety. It explains techniques for building confidence, resilience and self-regulation skills in ADHD children. While ADHD certainly affects emotions, through compassionate support and evidence-based strategies, the condition’s impact can be minimized. Every ...
For gifted children, relaxation is often hard to come by. Not only can their bright and creative minds conjure up endless reasons to worry, these children are often perfectionists. They’re prone to being highly critical of themselves and can therefore become unhealthily driven. Alternately, they may be immobilized by fears of failure and rejection. It is therefore little wonder ...
