News

Introducing the “Study & Life Skills Intensive Coaching Program”

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Would you like your son or daughter to learn vital skills for success at school and in life?

Practical skills that give them insight into their true ability…

…and empower them to achieve their full potential?

If so, you might like to consider enrolling them in our intensive coaching program for children and teenagers.

In this program your child will learn how to:

Get more organised
Become more motivated
Study more effectively
Cope with stress
Reduce anxiety
Set challenging and achievable goals
Gain insight into their own unique strengths and weaknesses
Develop strategies to improve or overcome weaker areas and leverage strengths
Improve test and exam skills
Handle setbacks and become more resilient

Research shows that students with these skills perform better, feel more in control and are less stressed.

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.”

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.

Psychological and Therapeutic Benefits of Loom Bands

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Loom bands are possibly just another passing childhood fad but here at Melbourne Child Psychology, we’re fans of the Rainbow Loom for their many therapeutic benefits.

So next time you’re pulling yet another handful of rubber bands from the vacuum cleaner and wondering if this is all just clever marketing, here are some points to ponder to (retrospectively) justify your purchase!

AD/HD in Girls – Recognising The Symptoms And Choosing Treatment Options

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

Research indicates that Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) may be more prevalent in girls than what is currently recognised.

Compared to boys, girls are more likely to present with AD/HD inattentive type, rather than with the hyperactive or combined type, which includes the more classic symptoms of AD/HD – hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Girls with AD/HD tend to have difficulties with:

Maintaining focus and concentration
Organisation
Planning
Decision-making
Goal-setting

But compared to boys with AD/HD, girls are less likely to show disruptive behaviours and to have impulsive outbursts that draw attention in the classroom.

Government to Offer $200 Vouchers for Relationship Counselling

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

The government is trialing a plan to provide newlywed couples with gift vouches for marriage counselling. They are going to spend 20 million dollars to give couples a $200 subsidy to attend counselling.

From July this year, 100 000 newlyweds will be able to use the vouchers for relationship counselling, conflict resolution, parental education and financial planning.

Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews says that the move will help to promote family stability, creating a better home environment for children.

Realistically, a $200 voucher is only going to cover the cost of a single counselling session or maybe two if one or both people in the couple are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan through Medicare.

For couples who are generally not distressed and are coping pretty well, a session or two to “check in” seems like a good idea, but what about ongoing support for families who are in distress?

I CAN really do it now!

by Deborah Jepsen

I had a wonderful uplifting experience on the weekend at the Hay House, “I CAN do it!” conference. Over 3,000 people packed the Melbourne Conference Centre to hear speakers from around the globe talk about life and how we can connect with our core selves and live with joy.

The keynote speakers included Dr Wayne Dwyer, Deepak Chopra and Doreen Virtue and there were several other inspirational speakers mixed in to the program.

Dwyer reflected on life and despite clearly being in a lot of physical pain was able to deliver a powerful message. Nick Ortner demonstrated the use of an interesting concept known as “tapping” to help remove negative thought patterns. Chopra delivered a solid message, combining meditation and science in an accessible way.

Term 3, 2013 – News

by Deborah Jepsen

It’s hard not to let the weather influence your mood… I do love the colder weather and we have had some awesome winter days, although sometimes the rain makes it hard to go outside… But I have been jumping in puddles with my 22 month-old son and having fun in the rain anyway!

We are already four weeks into term 3! Where did those school holidays go?! Well, at least it is good to be back into the routine of school.

Here’s what’s new:

Why do I like to work with kids?

by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services

As an educational and developmental psychologist, I am often asked by friends, family, and parents, why I have chosen to work with children.

When I get asked this question, my immediate thought is: why wouldn’t I like to work with kids?!

I love it! There are thousands of reasons why I think helping children and their families is the best job in the world, but I will focus on my top four.

Zoe Visits the Psychologist

by Deborah Jepsen

Visiting a Psychologist for the first time can be a bit overwhelming for children.

I have created a presentation here for young children to help explain in a child friendly way what we do!

It is called Zoe visits the Psychologist: A tale about getting help.

I hope this is useful! You can view the presentation here: Zoe-Visits-The-Psychologist.

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