“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Pablo Picasso  What is Creative Arts Therapy? Creative arts therapies with children provide alternative means of expression for children who have difficulty finding words to express themselves. The creative arts used in the therapy can be art, music, play, drama or dance. Creative ... Read More »

Imprisonment of a family member is a difficult time for families of that there is no doubt.  Along with the emotional impact, e.g. fear, anxiety, anger, embarrassment, guilt, described in virtually all research done on this subject, there is the added challenge of maintaining relationships with families on the outside – and in particular the fostering of a meaningful relationship ... Read More »

Children and stories go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. I read stories to a group of 3 to 6 year olds each month in my local library, and I can safely say I get as much pleasure out of it as they do – few things are more rewarding than seeing a child’s face light up when he or ... Read More »

Being a parent is the most wonderful thing in the world. It certainly isn’t the easiest job but can be a very positive experience. We all need a little bit of support in our lives and some of us are more open to asking for that support than others. Nobody hands us a book of instruction when we have our ... Read More »

The latest report from the Growing up in Ireland study of children was published a few weeks ago. They found that babies whose parents were more sensitive in their interactions with them had higher developmental scores. Sigh. I’ve been a parent for seven and a half years and in that time I have worried and stressed about different things to ... Read More »

Bullying facts: Sometimes, when we talk about bullying, we aren’t sure about what it actually is. Bullying can include hurting another person’s feelings and undermining their confidence and self-esteem through words, actions or social exclusion. It is usually a pattern of behaviour rather than a one-time occurrence.  It can sometimes be difficult for parents to recognise the signs of bullying ... Read More »

With technology developing so quickly it can be difficult to keep up with all the advances and new forms of communication our children can be exposed to. Parents and children need to stay up to date on the risks, and children need to know how to look after themselves whenever they use the internet or their mobile phones. Here are ... Read More »

A parents role in helping children develop Play with me – This is how I learn  Talk to me – Your words help me to find mine  Read to me and read with me – This is something that I will have forever  Cuddle me – Your hug makes me feel safe and secure Read More »

Any conversation with any new parent will always involve the topic of sleep (or lack of it). It takes a while for babies to get into a routine but with a bit of patience and perseverance you will manage. Here are some helpful hints on getting your baby to sleep better:  Develop a bedtime routine as soon as possible so ... Read More »

Why is it important to play with your child? Children learn through play.  It is their language.  As they roll around on the ground, play pretend games or paint and draw, they test their physical strength, they set up problems and they find solutions; “Teddy has a broken leg, we must find ways of making teddy better”.  As they talk, ... Read More »