Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Child Learning Difficulties: New Study Shows Why Early Action is Vital to Prevent Children Falling Into Long Term ‘Learning Gap’

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

According to a study recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics, early action is vital to help prevent students with learning difficulties from falling into a long term ‘learning gap’.

The study found that first grade children with dyslexia (reading difficulties) have significantly lower reading scores and verbal IQs compared with their peers, and these differences persist into adolescence.

The authors recommend that “reading interventions must be implemented early, when children are still developing the basic foundation for reading acquisition.”

When “Forever” Changes: How to Help Your Child Cope With Separation or Divorce

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Divorce is an emotional rupture.

There is never going to be an easy way to talk to your children about separation and divorce. No two cases are the same, which means that navigating the practical and emotional challenges with your child will depend on your individual circumstances and situation.

And if you are like many of the parents that we see at our practice, you may find yourself feeling totally overwhelmed and wondering where to begin and what to say…

So with that in mind, here are some ideas and suggestions that might be useful to you.

10 Ways to Help Your Child Solve Problems (Without Lecturing Them)

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Parenting is a journey!

Along with all the precious moments and unforgettable experiences, there are the inevitable bumps, potholes, and danger zones.

Helping your child solve problems can feel a bit like travelling down a bumpy road … finding dead-end after dead-end … and losing sight of the destination…

And if you’re like most parents we see at our practice?

You probably want your child to feel as though you are working on solving problems together, and not simply lecturing and “ear-bashing” them!

So, with that in mind, here are our top ten tips for navigating your way through the problem-solving minefield, together with your child:

4 Ways to Help Children Worry Less

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

We all worry from time to time, but it can be challenging for parents when a child worries too much…

Some kids may worry a lot about only one thing, such as speaking in front of their classmates…

Other kids may worry about lots of different things…

Such as being late, getting sick, having no one to play with at school, upcoming tests or not being good at sport…

11 Symptoms of Anxiety in Children and 4 Steps to Help

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Anxiety is the most common challenge faced by children and adults alike.

And, if left unchecked, it can lead to debilitating problems that prevent children from reaching their full potential…

Sometimes anxiety is obvious but the symptoms can often be vague and develop gradually over time.

In fact, sometimes parents may not even be aware that a child’s difficulties are related to their anxiety…

What Every Parent Should Know About Learning Assessment

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Our psychologists have completed 714 learning assessments for children and adolescents in the last several years. Here are 24 of the main lessons we have learned.

The secret to raising motivated kids

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Motivation, or the lack thereof, can be a (seemingly) insurmountable barrier to your child’s success.

Every parent wants their child to succeed.

Whether it’s with their schoolwork, socialising or general life skills, we all want the best for them.

And what do most of us do naturally to spur our kids on?

We praise them for being “smart”, “intelligent”, “bright”, “talented”, “creative” and so on…

And often we do this regardless of whether or not they have truly applied their best efforts to the task at hand.

You see, we think that we are somehow boosting their self-confidence and self-esteem by doing this.

But we are wrong.

Pirates and Cheese Sandwiches: Children’s Thoughts About Thinking

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Thinking about other people’s minds and their thoughts in relation to our own thoughts is a fundamental skill in socialisation.

“Theory of mind” is a phrase that’s used in psychology to refer to our ability to understand that other people have beliefs that are different to our own.

But how do we actually uncover other people’s thoughts? Rebecca Saxe and colleagues from MIT have demonstrated amazing lab work that demonstrates a specific part of our brain that which is engaged when make judgements about other people’s thoughts.

In past research, psychologists have estimated that theory of mind kicks in around age four, and this has been measured by children’s responses to behavioural tasks.

New App May Help Teens Improve Mood

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Music is often suggested as a means to calm down or fall asleep, however now they are developing app that will help you gradually change your mood. An article in the Age by Hannah Francis has announced that Australian researchers have begun to develop an app that will assist teenagers to change their mood through music.

Natural Environments in Kindergartens

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Remember when you were in kindergarten and playing outside in the grass was your favourite part of the day. However some children in the city don’t have the opportunity to play with natural materials, instead their play areas are mostly concrete and plastic.

In this article from The Age, Miki Perkins discusses how Wes Fleming, who is known for his gardening expertise, has been transforming the play areas of the some kindergartens in the Melbourne area. The kindergartens are making the change from a plastic play area to a more environmental one with plants and trees.

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