Evidence is growing that a lack of sleep and poor night-time routines are leaving young people vulnerable to mental health problems. A recent study of more than 500 adolescents found poor sleep predicted increases in generalised anxiety, social anxiety, depression and...
Mental Health
Child Behaviour Triggers
Parenting is a journey filled with challenges, but it’s in those moments of feeling triggered that we have an opportunity to empathise, understand, and grow. Here are some supportive ways to handle these situations, fostering better communication and connection with...
Questions aren’t connections
Parents often naturally worry about their kids as they navigate shared spaces, learning, and social growth. As parents, we often seek answers through questions, but maybe sometimes it's about embracing silence and understanding nonverbal cues.👓Shifting from Q&A to...
Therapeutic Benefits of Hiking
Hiking is a good opportunity for children to develop their motor skills and executive functioning abilities. It's also a wonderful way to bond as a family. Just remember to start at a comfortable pace based on your family's energy levels.
Dysregulation – what happens in a children’s brain?
Does your child find it tricky to manage their own emotions, feelings, and behaviours? Or they may also show challenges in calming down and acting reasonably when they are dysregulated. This is because the amygdala, a structure in the brain that is responsible for...
Child behaviour and the deeper meaning
Different types of child behaviour communicate different messages, learning to understand the child’s underlying needs and feelings takes time and practice. It is vital to support the child to explore their feelings, emotions and provide opportunities to explore these...
Benefits of playing board games
Playtime is a vital part of the puzzle in a child's development. Board games are a great way to fuel their development. Take a look at some of the benefits of playing board game:
Adventurous play ideas
Adventurous play is accessible for everyone, rewarding and intuitive for children. Findings of research have suggested that children who have plenty of opportunities for adventurous play have fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression and aid resilience building. Here...
Steps to develop emotional regulation skill
Supporting our SPOTlings to become better at regulating their own emotions has become a large part of our work of therapists and caregivers, since COVID. This skill like many skills requires guidance and practice. Here is a summary of the steps to developing this...
8 ways to support your child with eating disorders
When your child has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, it is natural to feel frightened and stressed. It is not easy to support your child, but your contribution can help ! Here are some tips for supporting your child with eating disorders. At SPOT our psychology...