What messages did you receive about food as a child? Were you …. Shown that food was energy? Encouraged to listen to your internal satisfaction? Taught that certain foods were bad? Encouraged to eat everything on your plate? Punished if you did not finish everything? Always surrounded by a parent on a diet? Treated with […]
Causes of difficulties with food behaviours Read More »
We often hear spoon theory discussed when talking about fatigue conditions. However, the same principle applies for many mental health conditions, and particularly for children working with sensory processing challenges. Imagine this: A child wakes up each morning with 20 spoons. However, they struggled to settle last night – take away one spoon (19 spoons).
Spoons Theory and Sensory Processing Difficulties Read More »
Whilst the brain is split into both conscious and unconscious it is also created from two hemispheres – left brain and right brain. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body. However each side also has
Left Brain – Right Brain Read More »
When we feel dysregulated, having tools to help us reduce our stress, and help us create focus, are invaluable. However, they do not need to be expensive, and you can make them at home. Stress balloons can be great fun, their ability to stretch, twist and move are a perfect regulation for school aged children.
Children’s Activity: Make your own stress balloons Read More »
In our Level 4 Diploma class session this week, we were reviewing the impact of shame on children’s mental health, well-being and self-esteem. Shame is the feeling of embarrassment or humiliation that children (or adults) experience in response to the perception that they have done something wrong. Essentially, when shame is imparted onto children, it
The impact of shame on child mental health Read More »
Colouring has many benefits: Develops fine motor skills Supports concentration skills Develops colour recognition Strengthens handwriting skills Encourages relaxation Develops focus Creates a focus on the present Calms a restless mind Develops inner quiet Reduces stress and anxiety Can improve sleep Download it here Free Activity So, this week, our free activity is a
Children’s Activity: Therapeutic Colouring Sheet Read More »
So often, I meet children and adults in every day life who talk to me about the fact that they ‘can’t change’ or that they ‘are just this way’ – even though their feelings, actions, behaviours or lifestyle are causing them upset they cannot find a way to change and feel that ‘nothing works’. Change
How do we create change in life? Read More »
Now that A-Level exams have finished, the conversations about university starting have begun. A frequent conversation in my therapy office, has been about how they can prepare, make friends and settle in. So, here’s 8 top tips for before they go and when they get there: #1 – Learn how to use the utilities before
8 Ways to Support University Students Read More »
Starting school can be a scary time, not just for children, but also for parents and teachers. After all, as much as we want them to have fun, I meet many parents who are terrified of the thought of their children going off to school, and some teachers who question themselves and the strategies that
Preparing Children for School Transitions Read More »
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) refers to a child or adolescent who has difficulty attending school. The attendance at school creates uncomfortable emotions such as stress and anxiety and this can cause both physical and emotional symptoms. The difficulty with Emotionally Based School Avoidance is that avoiding school escalates the feelings of anxiety, and this
What is Emotionally Based School Avoidance? Read More »
