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...
Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening
Have you thought of growing herbs in your kitchen, indoor plants, or balcony? Gardening is a healthy and fun activity for children. Here are some therapeutic benefits of gardening:
National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA).
February is the month for National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA). Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, genders, body shapes, and weights. These may also impact one’s daily meaning occupation, such as work, school, social activities, and meal preparation....
Safer Internet Day – Internet Tips for Parents and Teenagers
Happy Safer Internet Day everyone. Here are some internet safety tips for both parents and teenagers.
5 tips for caregivers to cope with stress
For many caregivers, being there for your loved ones is the most important thing you wish to provide. However, caregiving is also emotionally and physically demanding that may create overwhelming stress for caregivers. Therefore it is also important to take good care...
Tips for helping stressed teenagers
Teenagers often face rapid changes in their physical, cognitive development and emotional life. They encounter challenges in relationships with peers and the new demands at school. When the stress may be overwhelming to them, parents can always help by being available...
How to avoid childhood obesity
Our Psychologist Naina has been featured in the South China Morning Post ! Like in so many areas of life, we are role models to our children and our lifestyle choices have an impact on them. 3 big tips to take away to prevent childhood obesity: ✅ Lead by example by...
Building a child’s self-regulation
Are you a parent who may sometimes find it challenging to regulate your tiny humans? Well, let's talk about regulating in-the-moment emotions. To nurture self-regulation, parents and others who are involved in the children's learning and development, need to learn how...
Social media and mental health
Over 4.6 billion people globally used social media platforms in the previous year. Most of us use social media to connect and locate one another. Effects of mindful using social media: - Reduce stress -Improve self-worth -Fend off loneliness & prevent social...
School refusal
The widely used term “school refusal” isn’t about wilful truancy, but rather refers to the emotional distress that students (of any age) can associate with attending school. The above graphic shows some potential reasons behind school attendance difficulties - please...
Types of Bullying
We want to raise awareness of bullying in the workplace and at schools. Types of Bullying It is crucial that we understand and identify the different forms of bullying, which can take many different forms, including verbal, physical, and cyber. Insults, teasing, and...