Shire Child Psychology

13/05/2025

📝. A psychometric assessment helps to understand a child’s cognitive abilities, learning style, emotions and behaviour. It can support school planning, understanding and unlock persona development. Read along to find out some common myths vs facts so help you make the best decision for your child’s development.

01/04/2025

1️⃣ Connection Builds Trust and Openness:
Children act out or shut down when they feel unheard, misunderstood, or emotionally disconnected. If they sense that you’re only trying to control them rather than understand them, they may resist or withdraw.

2️⃣Behavior is Communication:
Instead of seeing their defiance as disrespect, try to view it as an expression of an unmet need. Are they feeling overwhelmed, unheard, or powerless? By staying calm and curious, you show them that their feelings matter.

3️⃣Emotional Regulation Starts with You:
Children learn how to regulate their emotions by watching how you handle yours. If you react with anger, they mirror that. If you stay calm and connected, they’re more likely to soften and listen.

4️⃣Connection Reduces Power Struggles:
When kids feel connected, they’re more willing to cooperate. Instead of forcing compliance, try engaging with empathy:

“I see you’re upset. Want to tell me what’s wrong?”

“It looks like you don’t like what I just said. Let’s talk about it.”

5️⃣ Listening First Encourages Listening Back:
If you model active listening—giving eye contact, nodding, and reflecting back what they say—your child will be more likely to do the same when it’s your turn to talk.

➡️Top tips to Strengthen Connection in Tough Moments:
1. Pause before reacting – Take a breath to center yourself.

2. Get on their level – Speak gently and make eye contact.

3. Acknowledge their feelings – “I see that you’re frustrated.”

4. Offer choices – “Would you rather do homework now or after a snack?”

5. Use humor or play – Playfulness can diffuse tension and reconnect you.

💫Connection doesn’t mean letting go of boundaries; it means enforcing them with empathy. When your child feels connected to you, they’ll be more open to hearing you.

For more info or supports, you can reach out to us via our website: www.shirechildpsychology.com.au

17/03/2025

📱PHONES & SETTING BOUNDARIES 📱 📴This can be a tricky path to navigate for parents and caregivers! Here are some top tips when considering giving your child access to a phone. Your child may have already asked you for a phone or told you about how many other friends of theirs already have one. If you are considering providing one to your teen, then here are some brief, simple but effective tips to implement boundaries around its use.

13/03/2025

🤍 Caregiver / parent self care 🤍 Parenting and supporting children throughout different stages of life is stressful and can often lead to parenting burnout. Feedback from parents and research suggests that engaging in fun, enjoyable and positive activities on a regular basis supports improved mood, and reduces the impact of stress. We call this self care, and this can be as easy as going for a regular walk in nature, having a bath, painting your nails or even doing a gym class. We can’t pour from an empty cup, so prioritising parent or caregiver wellbeing is super important! ❔❔what are some self care activities that you make priority for???

04/03/2025

“You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf” is a famous saying by Jon Kabat-Zinn. This is one of our favourite quotes which is used to symbolise a message of resilience. Waves are unstoppable, they are a force of nature. They may change heights and intensity but they will still come. We can brace against them, but they are unstoppable. 🌊Waves are like emotions in this sense. Whilst we cannot stop them, we can learn ways to tame them or even enjoy them. It doesn’t necessarily make the waves smaller, but it does make it a little less scary and slightly more manageable. 🏄Learning to ride the waves takes time, perseverance and commitment. It won’t be easy, and there may be some times that the ride to the shore will be rough and wild. But if you are willing to embrace it, you are allowing yourself the courage to grow in strength and reailience.

03/03/2025

21/01/2025

Welcome back to all of our families for 2025

Tuesday Morning Reflection....
As the weeks are rolling by in these school holidays remember that you are doing the best that you can! Most importantly remember that you are willing to learn!

There will be bumps in the road, there will be obstacles and there will be setbacks. Think of these as opportunities to learn and grow from.
"There is no such thing as the perfect parent, so just be a real one" - Sue Atkins.

19/01/2025

✨Teen Anxiety- spotlight for parents.
Sometimes teen anxiety can look like staying in bed too long, snapping at loved ones, or avoiding homework. It’s not laziness or rebellion- it may be a sign that they need some support. ✨ swipe for more information about signs of anxiety and ways to support!

03/01/2025

✨Happy New Year to all of our Shire Child Psychology families! May 2025 bring peace and joy to all ✨ ◽️Our office returns on January 7th, and we will be able to return all new enquiries at this time. ◽️For any changes to upcoming appointments please send us a text or email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/12/2024

Wishing of our families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May today and the holidays bring joy, peace and laughter. Thank you for your support over the past year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2025! 🎄✨🎄

18/11/2024

Negative Self Talk
Signs for what to look out for and how to assist.

To discuss further, contact us to make an appointment with our experienced Psychologists.
Go to: www.shirechildpsychology.com.au
or call us on 0403 681 555

16/10/2024

Easy and simple stress relieving strategies...
In exam periods or other highly stressful situations, take time out to relieve stress.

For more support, please contact us
www.shirechildpsychology.com.au/contact/