Parenting – Page 3 – BEST Programs 4 Kids

Helping kids not to sweat the small stuff

5th February 2017

Have you got one of those kids who seems to have their antennae set to super-super sensitive? Just the smallest hint of the possibility of one of life’s many little and big BUMPS (adversities) and its all drama stations go! It would appear that, for this sort of child, a paper cut is almost as…

Australia Day, Perth; When family fun turns to trauma

27th January 2017

Claire Orange

Parenting, Wellbeing - Emotions, Wellbeing - Society

The very sad and traumatic event on the Perth Swan River, as part of the Australia Day celebrations, was witnessed by thousands of families. Gathered to celebrate Australia Day and watch the firework display, families watched in horror as a seaplane banked steeply and plunged into the river. Despite almost immediate assistance, the catastrophic damage…

Don’t go! – When children (and parents) find separating difficult

5th January 2017

Claire Orange

Early Childhood, Parenting, Wellbeing - Emotions

Anyone who has worked with children has witnessed the anguish of a child who does not want to let a parent leave. Commonly referred to as separation anxiety, the child’s behaviour can range from tearful and clingy to anger and outrage. The response may also be more internalized, appearing as distant and disinterested. Whatever the…

Not all kids get awards – coping with disappointment

13th December 2016

Claire Orange

Early Childhood, Parenting, Wellbeing - Emotions

Yes, it’s that time of year when schools are winding down, closing up and finishing off. In the past 2 weeks many schools have hosted Graduation Events – primary and secondary at which children achieving a certain academic outcome are awarded and rewarded. This can be a devastating time for some children who have given…

Stop Playing the Parent Blame Game

6th December 2016

Claire Orange

Early Childhood, Parenting, Wellbeing - Emotions, Wellbeing - Society

That “helicopter parent” is depleting her child’s initiative. That “unsupportive parent” never monitors his child’s homework. That “irrational parent” never listens to reason. That “enabling parent” lets her child get away with everything. That “invisible parent” never shows up and obviously doesn’t care. Sound familiar? Our entire society is quick to judge parents, and those…

I think my child is a bully

9th October 2016

Claire Orange

Bullying, Early Childhood, Parenting, Wellbeing - Social

Surely, this is one of the most difficult things for a parent to accept and admit – the fact that their child engages repeatedly in socially difficult behaviours that cause hurt to their peers. What are the common misunderstandings and misperceptions of bullies? Generally, these children are portrayed as: Physically bigger and more dominant that…

Let the children play

6th November 2015

Claire Orange

Early Childhood, Parenting, Wellbeing - Educators, Wellbeing - Learning, Wellbeing - Social

Play is a fundamental aspect of developing skills for life – here’s just a few skills that children learn as they play – that become part of their life toolbox: Language skills Creativity and the ability to pretend Fine and gross motor skills Motor sequencing and planning Cognitive planning and problem solving Social skills –…

The light is on in the car – what do you do?

14th October 2015

Claire Orange

Parenting, Wellbeing - Emotions, Wellbeing - Uplifting

Come with me on a little metaphorical journey as we explore parental responses to children’s big emotions. You get into the car and as you’re pulling out, you notice that the internal light is on. What do you do? There is traffic waiting for you to pull in – so you’re already under a bit…

Rewiring the human brain – let’s start early

8th October 2015

Claire Orange

Early Childhood, Parenting, Wellbeing - Educators, Wellbeing - Emotions

It’s the middle of a work day for me. Half my clients have been in and I have half to go. And what am I thinking about that? Well, there are two very obvious patterns of thinking that I might engage in. Here’s the first: As I sit here looking out the window I think…

Why is optimism the cornerstone of a lifetime of good mental health?

23rd September 2015

Claire Orange

Early Childhood, Parenting, Wellbeing - Emotions, Wellbeing - Uplifting

Why is optimism the cornerstone of good mental health? Reivich & Shatte (2002) tell us that, “It is thinking style that determines your level of resilience… to bounce back when adversity strikes.” The lottery of life is not always fair or just in what it deals us. And we have the choice to take the…