Development is fraught with bumps in the road. On the whole, most children will manage to keep on an even keel, but there are bound to be times when they can’t cope.

The fact is that children are dealing with a variety of new experiences and strong feelings all the time. Whether it be adjusting to changes at home or school; trouble making friends; parental divorce; or merely coping with the challenges that growing and developing bring.

Because each child is unique, they differ in their ability to manage different feelings and experiences. As a result, some children need more help than others to get through difficult times.

Common concerns include:

• Tantrums, aggression, anxiety
• Difficulties in limit-setting
• Underdeveloped social skills
• Poor attention & concentration; not progressing; learning difficulties
• Low self-esteem or self-confidence
• Children struggling to separate
• Sleeping difficulties; nightmares
• Toilet training struggles; weaning difficulties; bedwetting/soiling
• Shyness; too many worries or fears
• Coping with parental separation or divorce

At Mosman Parent & Child, time is spent getting to know and understand your child and his/her family. Because children cannot often tell us verbally so easily what is wrong, they use behaviour to communicate. Understanding these behaviours can help to make sense of and sort out, the child’s various feelings, thoughts and relationships with others. Working alongside parents, this understanding helps to inform the most appropriate and helpful strategies for your child. This may involve a few meetings or a more longer-term involvement, depending on your child’s and family’s needs.

A child-friendly therapy called Play Therapy is often used as a way to both understand and help children express themselves in the way in which they are most comfortable. This may be through talking but it is most often through drawing or play.