Understanding Your Child
Resources for parents who want to better understand their child’s behaviour, emotions and learning
When things feel confusing or overwhelming, this is a good place to begin.
Many parents arrive here because something doesn’t feel quite right. Perhaps your child is struggling with big emotions, anxiety, behaviour, friendships or learning, and you’re not sure what to do next.
You may have tried the usual parenting strategies, but they don’t seem to be helping in the way you hoped.
You might be wondering:
- Why is my child behaving like this?
- Why don’t the usual parenting strategies seem to work?
- Why do they struggle with friendships?
- Why can’t they sit still and focus?
- Why aren’t they keeping up at school?
Behaviour as Communication
Children’s behaviour is often their way of communicating.
Children don’t always have the words to tell us how they’re feeling. Sometimes they communicate through their behaviour instead.
Looking beneath the surface, we can begin to understand what might be happening for your child.
Understanding the “why” changes everything.
When we are able to to see your whole child—not just the behaviour—things start to make more sense.
These articles are intended to help you make sense of what you’re seeing and find practical ways to support your child.
They are based on my experience from the last 20 years of working with children with learning and behavioural challenges, and are supported by current research.
I hope they help answer some of your parenting questions.
You don’t need to read them all.
Simply begin with whatever feels most relevant to you at the moment.
You might like to bookmark this page and come back when you have more questions.
Daily Routines
Supporting Your Child Through Daily Transitions
Anxiety and School Anxiety
Anxiety in Children: Understanding What Your Child may be Feeling
Is it Anxiety, ADHD or Learning Difficulties?
💜 Foundations for Learning
Learning & School Challenges
Why Children Need to Feel Safe to Learn
Supporting Your Child with Reading Difficulties and Dyslexia
Looking Beyond a Diagnosis – When Your Child is Struggling at School
🧡 ADHD, Attention and Behaviour
Understanding ADHD, Attention and Behaviour in Children
💙 Friendship and Bullying
Understanding Bullying – gentle support for parents and children
While I only occasionally work directly with children, I continue to offer support to parents, helping them to better understand their children’s behaviour, emotions and learning.
If you’re feeling stuck, and would like help with making sense of what’s going on for your child, you don’t have to do it alone.
When you feel ready, I’m here to help.
Counselling and parent coaching sessions are available in Moruya, NSW and online Australia-wide.
Download our FREE Tips for Raising Happy Healthy Children E-Book.
This free resource offers suggestions for creating the family life you have always dreamed of.
We cover topics including:
- Establishing a bedtime routine
- Suggestions for picky eaters,
- The importance of free play
- Why screen time can delay your child’s early development
Note: If the link doesn’t arrive, please check your spam folder.
Recent Articles
Articles on Parenting, Child Behaviour and Natural Child Development
When School Feels Hard: A whole child view of learning difficulties
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Support for Parents who are Looking for Answers
Many parents find themselves struggling at times, and looking for answers. These articles offer some suggestions to help with various parenting challenges – from looking
Looking Beyond a Diagnosis: When your Child is Struggling at School
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