Reading is vital for developing literacy, a good vocabulary and a vivid imagination.
But with increasingly interactive electronic books that enable independent reading from a younger and younger age, we may be losing sight of the value of reading not only with, but also to our kids.
A number of recent studies have reinforced the importance of reading aloud to your kids — the traditional way.
There’s no denying that with all the joys of parenthood there can also be a lot of stress and frustration.
Temper tantrums, complaints and demands… It’s understandable this would try any parent’s patience.
And sometimes the result is an angry outburst.
But unfortunately anger directed towards your child can have a very negative impact on your relationship with them and on their own temperament.
And it can also encourage more acting out or misbehaving.
So how can we better manage our own emotions when it comes to parenting challenges?
Not too long ago meditation was thought of as some sort of mysterious ritual conducted in spiritual retreats, rather than at the doctor’s office or psychology clinic.
But in fact meditation and mindfulness are psychological processes and science has discovered many practical benefits to their practice.
Just like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy — one of the most extensively researched and practised psychological treatments — mindfulness addresses the connection between your thoughts, attitudes, behaviour and feelings.
And it can be particularly beneficial in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
So how do our psychologists use mindfulness and meditation in counselling sessions with children?
Parents often book in to see a child psychologist to address a pressing concern with their child.
For example, anxiety, separation, learning difficulties, or bullying in the school yard.
But seeing a psychologist — especially for kids — can also be great for prevention, instead of only being reactive when things are difficult.
And the benefits in terms of life skills learned, can be profound.
In a recent blog post we discussed the long-term benefits of early intervention in the treatment of anxiety.
But did you know that early intervention can also be very helpful for several other types of issues?
Here are three more important benefits to practical, solution-focused counselling for kids:
If you’ve ever visited a psychologist, or even considered it, you’ve probably heard of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
And while the name might sound a little complex, it’s actually one of the most practical, simple, and commonly used approaches to dealing with many types of emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems.
Plus there’s lots of scientific evidence to support its effectiveness.
But what is it, exactly?
The first visit to a new psychologist can be a daunting experience. It’s completely natural to feel nervous about addressing your concerns head on with someone you’ve never met.
And this is especially true when it comes to a child psychologist who will be seeing your child or teenager.
But our clients typically find that taking that first step to come in for an initial 30 minute parent consultation is a very positive and productive step in the right direction.
And we’re here to make the experience as constructive and comfortable as possible.
So, what can you expect from a visit to our practice?
You’re probably familiar with the term ‘early intervention’…
(Which means taking action as early as possible to support children’s physical, mental and emotional needs.)
Well, research has shown that dealing with child anxiety as soon as possible can be hugely beneficial…
And when early intervention is not applied?
This often leads to more serious anxiety related challenges in adolescence and adulthood…
So what does excessive child anxiety look like?
Got any questions before you book? Click here to request a phone call and a psychologist will call you at a convenient time (prospective clients only). Please keep in mind we are often busy with clients but we do our best to respond to all enquiries within one business day. :-)
(*As of 24th July, 2019.)