Michelle Smith Educational Psychologist

Michelle Smith Educational Psychologist Michelle Smith is an Educational Psychologist working in both the school environment and private practice.

Her passion is to empower clients to live more meaningful lives and to assist in social-emotional, as well as educational development.

If you know me you know Im a big fan of Bluey but have you ever noticed how in Bluey, the games get deep? That’s not an ...
12/09/2025

If you know me you know Im a big fan of Bluey but have you ever noticed how in Bluey, the games get deep?
That’s not an accident. Play is how kids process life.

Bluey gives us a window into how kids use play to make sense of the world.
Play therapy takes that natural process and places it inside a safe, guided relationship where the child isn’t left alone with overwhelming feelings.

So my is for you to try watching Hospital or Space with your little one or by yourself that’s okay too.

Images used from the official Bluey website (www.bluey.tv) © Ludo Studio / BBC Studios / ABC Kids.

This mud kitchen cost under R400 to put together and the return? Hours of joyful, independent play. 🌿🧱 Concrete blocks: ...
13/07/2025

This mud kitchen cost under R400 to put together and the return? Hours of joyful, independent play. 🌿

🧱 Concrete blocks: R70 each ( )
🧱 Slab: R70 ( )
🚿 Water can with tap: R90 (but totally optional!) ( )
☕️ Toy teacup set: R60 (or use whatever you have) ( )

Why I love this setup as a psychologist and a mom:
✔️ Encourages imaginative, open-ended play
✔️ Supports sensory exploration (mud, water, textures)
✔️ Promotes fine motor skills and real-world problem-solving (like learning to open and close a tap!)
✔️ Fosters independence, confidence, and even early social skills during pretend play

You don’t need fancy toys or expensive setups to create magic just a bit of creativity, a safe outdoor space, and the permission to get messy. 💦

And of course, you don’t need to spend a cent. A child’s most magical resource will always be your presence. Quality time, curiosity, and connection beat any toy or mud kitchen. 🤍

Let them pour, mix, pretend, and explore it’s play with purpose. ✨

“How much screen time is okay?”It’s a question I hear from so many parents and the answer isn’t about chasing a magic nu...
09/06/2025

“How much screen time is okay?”

It’s a question I hear from so many parents and the answer isn’t about chasing a magic number.

Instead of chasing perfect numbers, let’s think about:
📺What they’re watching
📺Who they’re watching with
📺What else is happening in their day

Use these age-based guidelines as a starting point. The real magic happens in the moments of connection and balance.

Save this for a gentle reminder, and share with a friend who feels overwhelmed by all the opinions. You’ve got this. 💛

“How much screen time is okay?”It’s a question I hear from so many parents and the answer isn’t about chasing a magic nu...
09/06/2025

“How much screen time is okay?”

It’s a question I hear from so many parents and the answer isn’t about chasing a magic number.

Instead of chasing perfect numbers, let’s think about:
What they’re watching
Who they’re watching with
What else is happening in their day

Use these age-based guidelines as a starting point. The real magic happens in the moments of connection and balance.

Save this for a gentle reminder, and share with a friend who feels overwhelmed by all the opinions. You’ve got this. 💛

Meltdowns don’t mean your toddler is “bad” or “manipulative.”They mean your toddler is immature, in the most development...
05/06/2025

Meltdowns don’t mean your toddler is “bad” or “manipulative.”

They mean your toddler is immature, in the most developmentally normal way.

Their brain is still learning how to ride emotional waves.

And in those moments, they need your calm more than your correction.

🧡 Let’s rewrite the story: Big feelings aren’t scary, they’re opportunities to connect.

Save this post or share with someone in the trenches.

Toddlers feel everything but don’t always have the words yet.Naming emotions gives them power and safety. It’s how they ...
03/06/2025

Toddlers feel everything but don’t always have the words yet.

Naming emotions gives them power and safety. It’s how they start regulating, sharing, and connecting.

Grab some mini-figures, draw a few face emojis, and start talking feelings through play.

🧸 Which emotion do your kids name most easily?

From babbles to full sentences, speech develops quickly in the toddler years.But how do you know if your child is on tra...
02/06/2025

From babbles to full sentences, speech develops quickly in the toddler years.
But how do you know if your child is on track?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet for what’s typical between 0–3 years.

Remember: Every child unfolds at their own pace, but early support matters.

👉 Save this post or share with a parent friend.

When both parent and child have ADHD, routines can feel like a chaotic dream. But here’s the truth: ADHD brains thrive o...
30/05/2025

When both parent and child have ADHD, routines can feel like a chaotic dream. But here’s the truth: ADHD brains thrive on external structure - but its got to be the right kind.

Start with two small, repeatable steps that happen in the same order every day (not necessarily the same time). Think flow over rigidity.

Morning and evening are your anchors. Once those feel easier, you’ll notice the whole day feels less chaotic, even if it’s still a bit messy. That’s okay.

What’s ONE ADHD-friendly routine that changed everything in your house? Share below, let’s crowdsource some real magic

Let’s shift the way we think about difference.The Apple Deficiency Mindset keeps us focused on what a child isn’t, inste...
29/05/2025

Let’s shift the way we think about difference.

The Apple Deficiency Mindset keeps us focused on what a child isn’t, instead of celebrating who they are.

🍊 Not every fruit is an apple.
🧠 Not every brain works the same way.

Have you ever caught yourself in the Apple Deficiency trap?

Parents often ask: “What else can I do to support my child with ADHD?”Whether your child is on medication or not, these ...
28/05/2025

Parents often ask: “What else can I do to support my child with ADHD?”

Whether your child is on medication or not, these 5 strategies help bring structure, calm, and connection into everyday life.

Practical, psychology-backed tools that actually help.

Which one feels most doable for your home right now?

ADHD isn’t just about fidgeting or forgetting things. It’s emotional. It’s daily. It’s sometimes exhausting. And it’s ve...
27/05/2025

ADHD isn’t just about fidgeting or forgetting things. It’s emotional. It’s daily. It’s sometimes exhausting. And it’s very real, for kids, for parents, for anyone living with it.

Let’s shift the narrative from shame to support. Let’s make space for compassion and real tools.

Which slide do you relate with the most?

Address

Durbanville

Opening Hours

14:30 - 18:00

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Michelle Smith Educational Psychologist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category