Parenting Blog: Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety Disorder in Childhood

Separation Anxiety in Children It’s normal for young children to not want to stray too far from us. We are animals after all and survival instincts tell our young that too much distance or time between them and us is a risky thing. For…
Parenting Blog: Pica

When Children Eat Non-Foods – Otherwise Known as Pica

The word ‘pica’ comes from the latin word for ‘magpie’ since these birds are known to eat just about anything. What is pica? Very young children, under the age of 18 months, will put a range of things (other than food) in their…
Parenting Blog: Mental Health

Common Childhood Mental Health Problems Explained

Mental health problems are very common with almost half (45%) of all Australians experiencing a mental illness in their lifetime. A significant proportion of these illnesses begin in childhood. It is estimated that one in every seven children…

Managing Transitions (Excerpt from the Raising Good Kids online course series)

Imagine you were having a great time catching up with your friends, laughing and joking, when suddenly an enormous pair of hands reached down, grabbed you without warning and carried you away. Now imagine you were sitting by yourself, nearing…
Parenting Blog: Distraction in Parenting

The Use of Distraction in Parenting

Look at the sky and please don’t cry! 'Quick! Look at the plane! In the sky!! LOOK UP THERE!! QUICK!!!!!’ Have you ever seen someone try to distract a child when he's hurt or upset? Or tried the same technique yourself in an act of…
Parenting Blog: Screaming Child

How To Help Your Screaming Child

How to Help Your Screaming Child - A Parent’s Guide to Emotional Regulation Most of us have witnessed a screaming child who has felt completely out of control. Some of us have seen this in our own kids, while others have spectated from…
Parenting Blog: Play

The Importance of Play

There is abundant research about the importance of play in children’s lives. In fact, play is now considered to be so essential for children’s development that it has been recognised by the UN High Commission for Human Rights as a right…
Parenting Blog: Night Terrors

Night Terrors in Children (also known as Sleep Terrors)

What are night terrors in children? Those of you who have witnessed a night terror will know how they came to be named! I witnessed a relative of mine have several of these when he and I were both young and still remember them vividly. When…
Parenting Blog: Bedtime Monsters

Battling Bedtime Monsters

I once heard that young children are hardwired to dream about frightening, child-eating creatures. Apparently it’s an evolutionary advantage to have had a few practise runs before being chased by a real sabre-tooth tiger. These nightmares…
Parenting Blog: Sleep for Young Children

Sleep Tips For Young Children: How Much Is Enough and Why Sleep Is So Important

Did you know young children spend approximately half their lives asleep? Children's brains and bodies need this much sleep, since sleep is critically important for: Brain development Attention, concentration, memory and learning …