The Child and Family Connection

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Costa Mesa, CA
The Child and Family Connection

The Child and Family Connection is a solutions-oriented group practice focused on strengthening the parent-child relationship.

We provide individual and family therapy to toddlers, children, adolescents and their caregivers with offices in Costa Mesa and Laguna Hills.

10/24/2025

Some children may not open up easily about their experiences in school, especially when it comes to the social and emotional aspects of their day. As parents it can be challenging to determine how to make them feel comfortable sharing.

Play-based check-ins offer children a safe, familiar space to express themselves.

When we invite connection through play, we meet them where they feel most at ease - where expression for them feels natural, not forced.When we invite connection through play, we meet them where they feel most at ease - where expression for them feels natural, not forced.

Some ideas for Play-based check ins:
🎨 Draw or paint your day: Model first by painting a part of your day and then prompt them to draw a part of their day.
🎭 Lego or doll reenactments: Using lego’s or dolls, you could prompt your child to reenact scenes from their week or give them the freedom to create a storyline.
🧸 Toy “talk shows”: Each of you have a stuffed animal or toy and take turns “interviewing” each other with questions

10/22/2025

🧡 Today is National Unity Day! 🧡

Each year, National Unity Day reminds us to stand together against bullying and to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Started in 2011 by PACER’S National Bullying Prevention Center, Unity Day was created as a day to come together and send a visible message of building community through kindness, acceptance, and community.

By wearing orange, we send a powerful message of support — showing every child that they are valued, seen, and never alone. 🧡

10/20/2025

October is National Bullying Prevention Month.

Studies show that statistically between 20% and 35% of elementary school-aged children experience some form of bullying monthly. The main forms of bullying include physical, verbal, social (relational), and cyber.

As parents and caregivers, it’s natural to worry if your child is experiencing bullying at school - here are some signs to look for in your kids.
👉 Reluctance to Go to School: increased attempts to avoid going to school with faking sick symptoms.
👉 Changes in Mood: including anxiety, depression, sadness, mood swings, irritability, or unexplained anger.
👉 Withdrawal: Child becomes more withdrawn or socially isolated, losing interest in activities that were once preferred.
👉 Changes in Sleep or Appetite: disturbances in their sleep patterns or significant changes in their eating habits - increased or decreased.
👉 Drop in Grades: A noticeable decrease in academic performance including grade or effort.
👉 Loss of Friendships: They might experience a sudden loss of friends or become excluded from social activities and increased isolation.
👉 Damaged or Missing Belongings: Torn clothing, broken electronics, or frequently missing items like books or lunch money.

10/17/2025

Positive affirmations can be especially beneficial for children navigating learning disabilities. Creating a routine of speaking affirmations aloud – ones that highlight their strengths, efforts, and unique abilities – can help build confidence and reinforce a strong sense of self-worth.

✨ “Different does not mean less”
✨ “There is no right way to learn”
✨ “I am smart and capable”
✨ “I learn at my own pace, and that’s okay”

10/15/2025

Learning disabilities can range from challenges with reading, writing, or math to difficulties with focus, memory, or motor skills. Children with learning disabilities may face challenges with memory, language, or motor skills—but with the right support, they can thrive.

For parents and caregivers, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. The good news? There are many effective resources and strategies to help your child succeed.

Accessible resources include:
📘 Special Education Services
📘 Speech & Occupational Therapy
📘 IEPs & 504 Plans

Helpful approaches at home:
✨ Create a structured environment
✨ Break tasks into smaller steps
✨ Use multi-sensory learning strategies

With support, patience, and the right tools, children can grow in confidence and reach their full potential.

The Child and Family Connection has a psychologist dedicated to just psychological, cognitive, and psychoeducational assessments. For more information or to schedule an appointment, click the link in our bio.

10/13/2025

Dyslexia is a learning disability that primarily affects individuals ability to read, spell, write, and speak. Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects reading and writing, but not intelligence.

With the right support made accessible, individuals with dyslexia can very easily thrive.

The earlier Dyslexia is diagnosed, the earlier they can gain the support they need. Although dyslexia often becomes noticeable in early childhood, many individuals are not diagnosed until adolescence or even adulthood.

Common symptoms of Dyslexia:
👉 Difficulty recognizing letters or matching them with sounds
👉 Trouble sounding out or decoding words
👉 Slow or effortful reading
👉 Difficulty understanding what they are reading
👉 Difficulty remembering sequences (like the alphabet or days of the week)
👉 Avoidance of reading or writing tasks
👉 Language processing difficulties
👉 Omitting or adding sounds when reading
👉 Poor spelling and frequent reversals of letters (e.g., mixing up "b" and "d")

The Child and Family Connection has a psychologist dedicated to just psychological, cognitive, and psychoeducational assessments. For more information or to schedule an appointment, click the link in our bio.

10/10/2025

With so much negative news in the world, it’s no surprise it can feel overwhelming. Constant exposure to current events—big or small—can weigh heavily on our mental health.

🍃 When the world feels like too much, protecting your mental health matters. Here are a few ways to cope with news overwhelm and find balance:

🍃 Set boundaries with the news – Decide how much you want to take in and when. Turn off notifications, unfollow stressful accounts, and avoid checking the news right before bed.

🍃 Use grounding exercises – Mindfulness, a short walk, or simple breathing can help bring you back to the present moment when global issues feel overwhelming.

🍃 Have phone-free times – Break the doomscrolling cycle by setting boundaries, like making your bedroom or dining table phone-free zones.

🍃 Focus on what you can control – Small, positive actions—signing a petition, volunteering, or donating—can shift feelings of helplessness into purpose.

🍃 Give yourself permission to rest – Rest is not earned, it’s essential. Take time for activities that help you recharge so you can keep showing up and caring.

Today, on World Mental Health Day, we encourage you to:
✨ Speak openly about mental health
✨ Be intentional about checking in with yourself and those you care about
✨ Reach out for professional help if you're struggling
✨ Encourage those in your lives to seek professional help when needed
✨ Advocate for accessible and inclusive mental health care for everyone

Your mental health matters. YOU matter.

10/08/2025

Navigating friendships can be challenging at any age - but especially for young children. It’s a big learning curve for young children, as they are still learning how to make and maintain friends.
Here are a few ways you as a parent can help support your child’s social development:

⭐ Create opportunities for friendship to grow - plan playdates, join sport teams and clubs
⭐ Help build their social skills through role play & practice
⭐ Model healthy social behaviors and interactions in your own life

The Child and Family Connection has social skills groups that focus on young children, ages 4-9, and boys, ages 9-13, who have trouble making and keeping friends.

For more information or to enroll, contact:
Social Skills (ages 4-9) – Dr. Sandy Kochan: drsandy@thechildandfamilyconnection.com
Social Skills (boys 9-13) – Anne Xiao: anne@thechildandfamilyconnection.com

10/06/2025

Domestic violence impacts 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in their lifetimes. It's important to remember: abuse isn’t always physical - it can also be emotional, verbal, financial, or psychological. All forms of abuse are serious, and all deserve to be addressed with care and support.

We understand the deep and lasting effects domestic violence can have on mental health. We stand with survivors and all those affected - not just in October, but every day.

This month, and every month, we’re committed to raising awareness, supporting healing, and helping to break the cycle of abuse.

You are not alone. We stand with survivors.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.

10/03/2025

Positive affirmations are beneficial for any age and within any relationship. They can be especially powerful and impactful in fostering healthy sibling relationships.

Adding routine positive affirmations for your children to say to one another can help them navigate conflict, communicate effectively, and build a strong, supportive bond throughout their childhood.

✨ “I am grateful to have you as my sibling.”
✨ “We will work through challenges together”
✨ “We are a team & always support each other”
✨ "I celebrate your successes like my own”

10/01/2025

Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand number-based information and mathematical concepts. Children with dyscalculia often struggle with math throughout their academic journey.

While symptoms typically begin to appear in early childhood, dyscalculia can often go undiagnosed until adolescence or even adulthood.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Dyscalculia in Children:
➡ Difficulty learning and recalling basic math facts
➡ Struggles to understand and solve word problems
➡ Trouble telling time
➡ Weak spatial reasoning
➡ Difficulty performing mental math or calculations from memory
➡ Confusion with math symbols (e.g., +, −, ×, ÷)
➡ Frequent reliance on finger counting, even for simple problems
➡ Difficulty matching numerals with their corresponding words (e.g., connecting “5” with “five”)

Emotional Symptoms Often Associated with Dyscalculia:
➡ Math-related anxiety or avoidance
➡ Agitation, anger, or frustration during math tasks
➡ Fear or phobia of math or math-related activities

09/30/2025

Happy Birthday, Claire! 🎉 🎂

We are deeply grateful for the expertise, warmth, and dedication you bring to our team and the families you serve. Your commitment to supporting growth and healing makes a lasting difference every day.

Wishing you a wonderful year ahead filled with health, joy, and celebration! 🩷

Address

151 Kalmus Drive, E250
Costa Mesa, CA
92626

Website

http://www.thechildandfamilyconnection.com/

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