Mindmatters Psychology Practice

30/06/2025

Try this breathing exercise. 🧘‍♀️

23/06/2025

Strategies for a smooth transition! 👩🏻‍🏫

15/06/2025

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing fathers. 👔

10/06/2025

Here are some screen time alternatives! 💛

11/05/2025

Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful mother’s! You are amazing! ✨💝💐

16/04/2025

24/03/2025

Have you heard of our Study Skills Programme? DM to find out more. 📑

29/04/2024

With summer activities cancelled, kids are complaining that they're bored. But dealing with more free time can teach them important skills.

23/03/2024

Mother-daughter relationships are unique and complicated. You may want to know why teen girls are mean to their mothers.

04/02/2024

"How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish is a classic parenting book that provides practical communication strategies for building positive relationships with children.

Here are 10 lessons from the book:

1. Acknowledge Feelings:
Encourage open communication by acknowledging and validating your child's feelings. When children feel heard and understood, it creates a foundation for positive interaction.

2. Avoid Denial of Feelings:
Instead of dismissing a child's emotions, the book advises acknowledging and accepting their feelings. Denying feelings can lead to frustration and communication breakdowns.

3. Give Information in Manageable Parts:
Break down information into manageable parts to help children better understand and process. This approach can make instructions or explanations more accessible and effective.

4. Use Alternatives to Punishment:
The book advocates for using alternatives to punishment, such as acknowledging feelings, offering choices, and problem-solving together. This helps children learn from their experiences without feeling punitive.

5. Offer Choices:
Providing children with choices empowers them and encourages a sense of autonomy. It also helps prevent power struggles and fosters cooperation.

6. Describe, Don't Label:
Instead of labeling a child with negative terms, describe their behavior or actions. This approach helps avoid a defensive reaction and encourages positive change.

7. Use "I" Statements:
Express your own feelings and needs using "I" statements. This helps prevent blaming and fosters a collaborative atmosphere where both parent and child can share their perspectives.

8. Encourage Autonomy:
Support your child's growing independence by giving them opportunities to make decisions and solve problems. This builds their confidence and decision-making skills.

9. Engage in Active Listening:
Practice active listening by fully focusing on what your child is saying without interrupting. This demonstrates respect and encourages children to share their thoughts and feelings more openly.

10. Problem-Solve Together:
Instead of imposing solutions, involve children in the problem-solving process. Collaborative problem-solving teaches valuable skills and helps children feel more in control of their lives.

These lessons from "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" provide a foundation for effective and respectful communication between parents and children. Applying these principles can contribute to building positive relationships and fostering a supportive family environment.

Book: https://amzn.to/3SwiOZ3

You can also get the audio book for FREE using the same link. Use the link to register for the audio book on Audible and start enjoying it.

11/12/2023

A Dozen Ways To Co-Regulate With Your Child:

- Lower your body position
- Lower your voice
- Soften your facial expression
- Model deep breathing
- Do heavy work together
- Walk outside
- Offer deep pressure
- Model a preferred sensory activity
- Move your body together
- Dim the lights
- Stop talking
- Change your proximity

Credit: Coastal Connections OT

10/12/2023

Something to guide us through the festive season.

Here are some tips from the PDA Society for making Christmas/the holiday season less overwhelming for Autistic people.

Image description & a link to a downloadable version in comments below.