Navigating Global Issues with Children
Introducing children to news and current events can be challenging, especially given the prevalence of disturbing content. It is crucial to select age-appropriate content and create a safe space for discussion. Encourage children to ask questions and express their feelings about the news, and provide honest, age-appropriate answers. Stay informed yourself to better explain and contextualize events for your children.
When children are exposed to shocking news events, it is important to help them process these experiences by reassuring them of their safety, limiting their exposure to repetitive and graphic news coverage, and providing understandable context. Regularly discussing current events can help children become more comfortable with news content and develop critical thinking skills. Teach them the basics of media literacy, such as identifying reliable sources and recognizing bias.
Parents can model healthy news consumption behaviors by consuming a balanced mix of news sources, taking breaks to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and managing emotions in response to news. Maintaining regular routines and positive social interactions can help children feel secure during times of distressing news. By selecting age-appropriate content, encouraging open discussions, and promoting critical thinking, parents can support their children's mental and emotional well-being in an ever-changing world.
New to the bookshop
This gentle book explores a child's realisation that her unique differences and creativity make her special. Beautiful illustrations by Gabriel Evans convey her emotional journey. The young girl struggles with shyness and fitting in at school but finds comfort in her love of art and nature. Observing the diversity in flowers and clouds, she learns that being different is a strength and begins to appreciate herself just as she is. This story encourages children to embrace their individuality.
Today was the day when Little Meerkat finally took a turn at being the lookout meerkat - watching for dangers to protect the meerkat gang. It was all going well until Little Meerkat fell asleep and woke up to find everyone had disappeared! With help from Small Elephant and Mini Monkey, can Little Meerkat calm down and find the missing meerkats? This storybook shows children aged 2-6 easy ways to calm their body and brain when feeling anxious. It also includes guidance for parents or professionals on the neuroscience behind the strategies.
Allison Edwards' "How to Crack Your Peanut" helps kids understand why they sometimes lose control and make bad decisions. The book explains that by learning how the brain works, particularly the amygdala, kids can begin to listen to their bodies and manage their emotions. Diego, a character in the story, struggles with losing his temper but learns from his counselor, Dr. B, that his reactions are due to his amygdala. Through understanding this, Diego learns techniques to keep his emotions in check.
How to Think about Your Thoughts: You are not your thoughts, thoughts are not facts
From The Therpist Mom Show
Watch How to think about your thoughts to discover why you believe what you think and how to regain control from negative thinking so you feel calm and happy. Decrease your anxiety by taking a step back.
Does your child struggle with anxiety?
Get the parents' handbook to anxiety from psychologist Michael Hawton.
With the right information, parents can help children to overcome their anxiety, guiding any child to lessen their worrying and reduce their avoidance of challenging tasks. Childhood anxiety is much more prevalent these days, and parents and carers need to be able to help their kids to prevent dangerous escalation. With 18 years of expert, qualified experience, the author shows how to help children and tweens build up the necessary brain architecture and perspective, and create the emotional reserves and balance needed throughout life.Parent-led strategies for managing child anxiety based in cognitive behavioural approaches are vital for the successful treatment of mild to moderate levels of child anxiety. Parents, carers, and grandparents are on the spot when a child is behaving anxiously and simple interventions by them can be used across time as an effective treatment for child anxiety.About the AuthorMichael Hawton, Parentshop founder has been training family services workers and educational leaders in child behaviour management for over 18 years and has developed parent education programs since 2006. His method-based approach is designed to guide parents through a parent-led method for resolving child anxiety.
Resilience in Our Teens for Parents
Resilience In Our Teens™ is a child development course that aims to support you and your teen through the ups and downs of life. It is what we call a ‘parent-led’ approach, meaning that you take on the role of the coach in your teen’s life, and are able to guide them through emotionally distressing episodes. Designed & developed by psychologist, author and teacher Michael Hawton, it equips you with a practical and easy set of tools, and a solid understanding of the theory behind these to enable you to build resilience in your child.