Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

7 Things to Remember when Interpreting NAPLAN results

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Ok, so NAPLAN* is over for another year… Phew! Hopefully your kids got through it without any issues. But the next big hurdle is how to interpret the results… Eeek!

[*National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for Australian students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.]

Some parents and teachers put a lot of emphasis on NAPLAN results, while others do not.

Do the results really mean anything significant? Should you be rushing down to the school at the first indication that your child is performing below the expected level?

Or should you be introducing accelerated learning programs if your child is performing above the national average?

High-Functioning Autism And Funding

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

The purpose of government funding for students with disabilities is to improve educational outcomes and wellbeing.

Before we go any further, let me just clarify that there is no clear evidence to suggest that Asperger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism (HF Autism) are two separate disorders.* Therefore, I will refer to both as HF Autism.

(* If you want to know more about the difference between Asperger’s Syndrome and HF Autism please read Tony Attwood’s comments on the topic.)

So how can funding help your child with HF Autism?

Read more

What to do if Your Teenager Self-Harms – Immediate Strategies For Parents

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

If you have a teenage son or daughter, you might have heard the term “self-harm” whispered in hushed tones by another parent or a teacher.

Some people think it is just a trend which is not to be taken too seriously. But research suggests that self-harm is a a very real and ongoing phenomenon.

Recent estimates report the rates of hospitalisation for self-injury at over 7,000 people per year in Australia. In the decade from 1996 to 2006, the rate of hospitalisation for self-harm went up by 43 percent overall, and this was even higher for females.

And, considering that self-harm is one of the biggest predictors of youth suicide, it is certainly not a problem to sweep under the carpet.

For parents it can be very difficult to understand where this type of behaviour comes from. In fact, it is probably not something you would have even heard about when you were growing up.

Read on to find answers to common questions about self-harm and some practical advice about what to do if your child is self-harming.

Why is Early Intervention for Learning Difficulties so Critical?

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Imagine this:

Jack is a little boy who has just started school. He is happy, motivated and eager to learn.

Soon afterwards, Jack’s mother notices that he is struggling to master skills that seem relatively easy for other children. And no matter how hard he tries, he finds it difficult to complete tasks on time.

His self-esteem has taken a hit, too. He is not as confident or as happy as he used to be. He is constantly frustrated and Jack’s mum realises his motivation for school and for learning is quickly fading.

She wonders… What can she possibly do to help?

The Importance of Play and Experiential Learning in Early Childhood

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

I came across an interesting article in The Age this week (Little learners in the rug-rat race) about how parents these days are “facing increasing pressure to begin their child’s education while still in nappies”.

The accelerated early-learning approach and intense focus on a child’s academic achievement made me think of all the young people I see who are developing anxiety about school and academic performance. In particular, there are a growing number of children who require counselling in order to get through the dreaded NAPLAN ordeal!

An accelerated early-learning approach can be problematic when taken to an extreme. This, of course, depends on the format of the teaching and the intensity and how effectively the teaching is balanced with playtime and other activities.

Sure, some degree of structured learning from a young age can be beneficial. But it’s important to understand that young children need unstructured play and experiential learning to grow and develop to their full potential.

Is Your Child’s Anxiety Making You Anxious?

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

We all experience some degree of anxiety from time to time.

Anxiety is a general, unpleasant emotional and physical state of heightened arousal. It may be caused by thoughts about a past or current event or a potential future threat.

When faced with a genuine imminent danger or threat, being anxious is a completely normal reaction. The so-called “fight-or-flight” response primes the body for action and enables a quick and powerful response.

In fact, at low-to-moderate levels, anxiety can be useful and adaptive. Occasional levels of mild anxiety can even help to improve performance.

However, when a child is suffering from sustained levels of anxiety that interfere with their daily activities or healthy development, this is a more serious problem that must be addressed to avoid more serious long term harm.

So what is an excessive level of anxiety?

3 Great Apps to Help Children With Emotional or Social Issues

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

We are often asked to recommend apps to help children manage stress or overcome social difficulties. Here are three apps that kids seem to love and that have some fun and inventive ways of helping them cope!

How to Set Realistic Grade Expectations For Your Teenager

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Nearly every parent wants their teenager to achieve their best at school.

Perhaps you have a particular “dream career” in mind or maybe you would be happy simply knowing that your child is reaching their full learning potential.

Well, believe it or not, most teenagers do actually want to do well at school for themselves, as well as to make their parents and friends proud.

However, “doing well” at school can mean many different things to different people. Some parents will be happy if their child passes, while others will be satisfied with Bs and Cs. And then there are those parents that will settle for nothing less than straight As!

But what many people don’t realise is that the best way to motivate an adolescent is to set expectations that are in line with what they are actually capable of.

And it’s vital to communicate your expectations clearly and to listen to your child’s opinions regarding grades and future career prospects.

So how can you go about this?

Sleep Difficulties in School-Aged Children

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Did you know that an estimated 20-30% of school-age children experience a significant sleep disturbance at some point?

(The incidence is even higher for children with certain disorders, including AD/HD, Tourette’s Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism.)

Why is Sleep so Important for Children?

Put simply, sleep is required to function properly! Poor sleep directly affects physical and mental health.

In children, poor sleep has been linked to daytime behavioural problems and poor school performance (reduced attention span, difficulty with problem solving and completing tasks).

Lack of sleep is also related to daytime sleepiness, which results in irritability (as all parents know only too well!).

Choosing a Secondary School Without Losing Your Cool – 7 Practical Tips For Parents

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

As your child nears the end of primary school you start to hear the same questions over and over:

Which secondary school will you send them to?

Public or private? Co-ed or single sex? Religious or secular?

And on it goes…

When faced with such an inquisition at every turn, it’s easy to become racked with fear about the implications of choosing the WRONG school.

What if your kid falls in with a bad crowd? What if they aren’t challenged? What if they are not supported? What if they are not properly prepared for adult life and a future career? What if you can’t afford it??

Eeek!!!

BUT the good news is that with some basic research and timely planning you can avoid a lot of stress.

Following this simple seven step process will help you to feel more confident in your decision and put your mind at ease.

Why is Sleep so Important for Children?

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