Shyness is often misunderstood because it is not one emotion, but a mixture of fear, tension, apprehension and/or embarrassment. Shy children seem to lack confidence and are self-conscious especially in new surroundings or when they are the center of attention....
It is normal for young children to deny allegations, blame others for their mistakes or make up stories. They find it hard to distinguish fiction from reality. Until the age of six or seven, fantasy is a part of children's...
Children don’t see the world in the same way adults do, and realizing this can make you help their brains develop better. Research published in the National Academics Press found that children register events around them when they affect or appeal to...
It is speculated that Leonardo DaVinci, Vincent Van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso all had ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). They exhibited many of the classic characteristics a person with ADHD has. All of these famous artists were passionate and creative geniuses...
Most educators agree that children's emotional well-being contributes greatly to their social and intellectual development. However, adults have traditionally denied children's feelings by saying things such as, "You shouldn't feel that way!" or "You'll be fine. Forget it." Negating children's...
Nowadays, children start getting a pretty hefty load of homework beginning in Kindergarten. Children start their elementary school years learning how to write, spell, read, and add/subtract. It is a very exciting time in a child’s life, but it can...
Immerse yourself in a proven child play therapy techniques. Begin to master new ways to communicate the language of those theories and techniques. Dare to experience learning outdoors, in the classroom, through lecture, discussion, video presentations, and thorough grounding in methods...
A simple play therapy intervention for children with impulsive behaviors can be played with a traditional deck of playing cards. For years, I thought that everyone knew about this game. I’m sure many of you are familiar. I have been...
One of the biggest challenges for parents is when they have feelings toward their children that feel "wrong." Some parents find it difficult to love a particular child. A parent may “play favorites” in his/her heart, trying desperately to hide...
Feeling good about me was something I sought for my patients to achieve. Through a game that was developed by Michael R Sheehan, PhD, called The Self-Esteem Game we did achieve it. The first time I played it in my...
Most of us can remember being influenced through a caring relationship by another person, someone who went from powerful to influential: a teacher who saw a particular strength, a school counselor who nudged effort, or a care-giver who nurtured us during...
Play therapy is a popular form of psychotherapy used with children. For young children, generally ages three though eleven, traditional talk therapy is not effective. Children have not yet acquired the verbal skills necessary nor the emotional development necessary for...
