School Anxiety and School Refusal: Understanding Why Your Child Does Not Want to Go to School
Most children occasionally say they do not want to go to school. They may be tired, have an upcoming test, dislike a particular lesson, or simply prefer staying home. School refusal is different. A child experiencing significant school anxiety may become extremely distressed before school, repeatedly complain of feeling unwell, cry, refuse to get dressed, […]
Helping Children Manage Big Emotions: Anger, Frustration, Sadness, and Overwhelm
Big emotions are a normal part of childhood. Children can experience anger, disappointment, sadness, jealousy, frustration, excitement, and worry just as strongly as adults do, but they do not yet have the same ability to understand and manage those feelings. A toddler may scream because they cannot have something they want. A school-age child may […]
Building Confidence and Self-Esteem in Children: Practical Ways Parents Can Help
Confidence and self-esteem influence how children approach challenges, relationships, learning, and setbacks. A confident child does not necessarily believe they are the best at everything. Healthy confidence is more about believing, “I can try, I can learn, and I can cope if things do not go perfectly.” Self-esteem relates to how children value themselves. Children […]
Stress in Children: How to Recognise the Signs and Help Your Child Cope
Adults are not the only ones who experience stress. Children can feel overwhelmed by schoolwork, exams, friendships, family changes, busy schedules, social expectations, competitive activities, and many other pressures. Some stress is a normal part of life. It can motivate children to prepare for an exam, practise a skill, or adapt to a new situation. […]
Anxiety in Children: Common Signs, Triggers, and How Parents Can Help
Worry is a normal part of childhood. A toddler may become distressed when separated from a parent. A young child may fear the dark. A school-age child may worry about tests or friendships, while a teenager may feel anxious about exams, appearance, relationships, or the future. These worries do not necessarily mean a child has […]
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health: Everyday Ways Parents Can Build Emotional Well-Being
Children’s mental health is an important part of their overall health. Just as children need nutritious food, physical activity, sleep, and regular healthcare, they also need support to understand their emotions, cope with challenges, build relationships, and feel secure in themselves. Supporting a child’s mental health does not mean making sure they are happy all […]
When to Call Emergency Services for a Child: Warning Signs Parents Should Never Ignore
Parents make countless decisions about their children’s health. Most childhood illnesses and minor injuries can be managed with home care, a pharmacist, or a routine visit to a healthcare professional. Sometimes, however, a child needs emergency medical help. The difficulty is that children cannot always explain what is wrong. Babies may only cry, become unusually […]
Febrile Seizures in Children: What Parents Should Do and When to Call for Help
Watching a child have a seizure can be extremely frightening, particularly when it happens for the first time. A child may suddenly become stiff, lose consciousness, develop jerking movements, or stop responding normally. In some young children, seizures can occur when they have a fever. These are known as febrile seizures. Febrile seizures most commonly […]
Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis in Children: Recognising the Signs and Acting Quickly
Allergic reactions can range from mild symptoms such as itching or a small area of hives to a rapidly developing medical emergency. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can affect breathing, circulation, or several body systems and can become life-threatening very quickly. Children with known severe allergies may have an emergency action plan and […]
Poisoning in Children: What to Do if Your Child Swallows or Touches Something Harmful
Young children explore their surroundings by touching, tasting, and putting things into their mouths. Unfortunately, many ordinary household products can cause poisoning. Medicines, vitamins, cleaning products, laundry capsules, cosmetics, alcohol, pesticides, essential oils, and other substances can all be dangerous when swallowed, inhaled, spilled on the skin, or splashed into the eyes. When parents discover […]