Excessive stress and anxiety causes a lot of pain for kids and parents alike and can lead to a wide range of issues… From worrying thoughts to sleep problems… Avoiding school, sports or other activities… Difficulty concentrating and learning… ..and sometimes even physical symptoms like fatigue, lightheadedness, upset stomachs or vomiting… And what’s more, if the underlying issues are not addressed, things can worsen over time… In fact, roughly half of all mental health disorders start by the age of 14. That’s why early intervention is vital. But the good news is resilience helps children ..read more

On a beautiful late summer morning, two young boys started their first day of primary school. They were very much alike, these two boys. Both came from caring and nurturing families, both were bright and engaging and both—as young children tend to be—were eager and excited to start school. Recently, these two boys, now young adults, finished year 12. They were still very much alike. Both enjoyed basketball. Both played the same video games. And both, as it turned out, had gone to the same well-regarded secondary school. But there was a difference. One of the boys had become overwhelmed by stre ..read more

Our psychologists have provided counselling for 1,225 children, teenagers and parents in the last several years. Here are 20 things parents should know before booking any counselling sessions for a child or teenager: 1. WHEN should parents consider counselling for a child or teenager? Counselling may be helpful if there are any social or emotional challenges are impacting on a child’s ability to: Participate in normal daily activities Attend school (without resistance or refusal) Focus and concentrate in class Do their schoolwork Get along with friends, teachers, parents or siblings Sleep Per ..read more

Recent studies show that Australian parents spend less time helping their kids with homework than the global average. But is this necessarily a bad thing? The average Australian parents are dedicating 4.4 hours a week to homework help… Which is a figure that shouldn’t be scoffed at. But it does pale in comparison to the commitment hours of other countries… With the average hours hovering around the 6.7 a week mark. Federal Minister for Education Simon Birmingham has appealed to parents to do more to address Australian students performance in maths, literacy and science assessments. But is help ..read more

In Part 1 of this post, we looked at the ways that schools in Finland operate that make them some of the best in the world. Some of these reasons include shorter contact hours, less homework, less tests, more independence and a stronger emphasis on non-academic skills. Incorporating many of these factors into Australian schools would require Government intervention… And/ or massive changes in the core functions of each school. But there ARE lessons that can be learnt from Finland’s school success… Lessons that parents can use to help their children thrive in their school years, and into the fu ..read more

Finland: a small Nordic country with a population of just over 5.5 million. And home to the world’s leading schooling system. Around the world, Finland is acknowledged as an ‘educational superpower’. Their schools are top ranked among developed nations on the PISA scale… An international, standardised assessment that measures 15-year-olds in language, maths and science. Yet the lack of focus on standardised tests is one of the reasons that the Finnish school system is so successful. In this post, we’ll look at what Finland schools do so successfully… And how it differs from what we’re used to ..read more

At the end of last year, thousands of year 12 graduates received their final grades. And while the emotional responses around the country likely ranged from devastation to euphoria… Whichever side of the spectrum a graduate might fall on, it’s still important to remember: Grades AREN’T everything! For those who did well, it’s a great accomplishment that will serve as a head-start for their futures. And for those who didn’t, it’s an opportunity to look at what they can learn from this experience. But for both camps, accepting that marks are not the be all and end all of education is an importan ..read more

In Part 1 of this post, we offered parents 8 simple, practical and effective tips for supporting your child’s mental health this year (and into the future). In Part 2, we’ll be sharing 8 equally simple tactics to help your child not only survive this school year… But also to thrive in the educational setting, and use the things they learn to achieve success in all their future endeavours. You’ll find some of our recommendations double up over both posts… But that’s because many of these actions have a multitude of benefits. And because — as research increasingly shows — mental health and acade ..read more

New Year’s Resolutions tend not to last very long… But maybe that’s because you’re not doing them right. This year, why not resolve to put practical, productive and achievable plans into action… To promote mental wellbeing for your children (and yourself). The combination of each of these small acts will help you to help your children have a prosperous year. And happy and healthy children make for happy and healthy parents! 1. Make a routine.  The easiest way to stick to your resolutions is to make them part of a routine. A solid routine doesn’t need to be rigid… But it does need to be co ..read more

The holidays are a time for rest, relaxation, family time and celebrations. But learning doesn’t have to stop when the school gates close… You can help foster a love of learning in your children over the holidays. And they won’t even know it! Below are some great school holiday activities that get kids engaged, curious and excited about learning… Which will help them to embrace their education once their back at school, and the value of learning for the rest of their lives. Go to museums. It’s an obvious choice for good reason: Kids love the interactive, tactile and three-dimensional experie ..read more