A growing movement advocates for a compassion-centred approach to supporting autistic and neurodivergent children, emphasising understanding, acceptance, and respect for individual traits over traditional behavioural corrections. For autistic and neurodivergent children, behaviour is often a signal, not a problem to…
Research at Northeastern University introduces a retrospective scale revealing that consistent, supportive childhood environments , from teachers to strangers , significantly influence adult mental health, resilience, and well-being, even amidst adversity. A new study suggests that the small, steady comforts…
A pioneering study led by Oxford reveals that a community-led support programme significantly reduced violence against children and boosted parental mental health in war zones, highlighting the importance of early intervention amidst ongoing conflict. Ukrainian parents who took part in…
Dr Onnie Poe advocates for understanding behaviour as communication in Black children, highlighting racial disparities in disciplinary practices and urging adults to interpret actions beneath surface behaviour to promote supportive responses. Black children are too often judged for what they…
A recent systematic review indicates that while digital mental health programmes for children and young people produce small improvements, particularly when combined with face-to-face support, the evidence remains inconclusive due to study quality and limited diversity. Universal digital mental health…
As the school year begins, experts emphasise the importance of parental presence and understanding in supporting children’s focus and emotional well-being, moving beyond grades to strengthen family bonds. The start of term is often framed as a child’s moment, but…
Experts emphasise the importance of allowing children to experience minor disappointments to build resilience, recommending calm, empathetic responses and modelling graceful losing to foster emotional growth and future coping skills. Children do not experience disappointment in proportion to adults, and…
Emerging approaches emphasise clear boundaries, written plans, and consistent parenting to foster stability for children after parental separation. When a relationship ends, parenting does not. For mothers and fathers who share children, the shift from couple to co-parents is less…
While standard postpartum screening is vital, Alexis Totaro emphasises the importance of careful clinical assessment and input from loved ones to detect subtle early signs of mental health issues in new mothers. Standard screening for postpartum depression and psychosis matters,…
Parents and carers can spot early signs of bullying through physical injuries, behavioural changes, and emotional distress, enabling earlier intervention to minimise harm. Bullying often leaves clues long before a child is willing to name what is happening. Parents and…
Many parents struggle to understand their children’s OCD symptoms due to children’s reluctance or inability to articulate their experiences. Experts advise supportive routines and exposure therapy to aid diagnosis and treatment, emphasising the importance of patience and trust. Many parents…
Expert advice highlights the importance of stability, co-regulation, and positive routines in helping volatile children manage their anger and develop resilience, rather than harsh punishment. In a contributed essay for Parenting Teens and Tweens, Barbara Pinke argues that children with…
