Charmaine Tema - Psychological Services

14/02/2026

Happy Valentine's Day ❤️

30/01/2026

Baby walkers are often marketed as tools that help babies learn to walk faster. While they may look fun and convenient, child development research suggests that walkers do not support development in the way many parents expect.
From a developmental and neurodevelopmental perspective, babies benefit most from being on the floor and moving freely. When babies explore on the floor, their brains and bodies work together in meaningful ways. Each roll, reach, crawl, and shift in position strengthens neural connections that support coordination, balance, attention, and future learning.

Floor time supports the development of body awareness, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. Babies learn where their bodies are in space, how to plan movements, and how to adjust when something doesn’t work. These early experiences play an important role in emotional regulation, confidence, and persistence later on.

There are also important safety considerations. Babies in walkers can move faster than expected and may reach hazards such as stairs, hot surfaces, or sharp objects. For this reason, many paediatric and child safety organisations advise caution or discourage their use altogether.
This is not about blame or judgement. Parenting decisions are complex, and many choices are made with good intentions and limited information. The goal is simply to support safe, developmentally appropriate movement.
If you are looking for alternatives that encourage healthy brain and motor development, consider the following:

Supervised floor play that allows rolling, crawling, and exploration
Tummy time on a play mat or blanket
Stable furniture for pulling up and cruising when your baby is ready
Stationary activity centres that allow turning and reaching without moving
Push toys used once your baby is already standing independently

Every baby develops at their own pace. There is no need to rush milestones. Free movement and exploration support both brain development and emotional wellbeing, laying the foundation for confident, coordinated movement later on.
Movement is not about getting there faster. It is about building the brain, body, and confidence along the way.

30/01/2026

Why all children should be encouraged to play with dolls

Doll play is often misunderstood or unnecessarily gendered, yet it plays a powerful role in healthy child development for all children.
When children play with dolls, they are practising real life skills in a safe and imaginative way. Through pretend play, children learn empathy, communication, emotional expression, and problem solving. They replay everyday experiences, work through feelings they may not yet have words for, and make sense of the world around them.
Playing with dolls helps children develop empathy and compassion, learn nurturing and caregiving skills, improve language and social interaction, process emotions and daily stress, and strengthen imagination and creativity.
Dolls are not about gender. They are about development. Children naturally explore relationships, roles, and emotions through play. When adults allow children access to a variety of toys, we support emotional intelligence, confidence, and healthy social development.
Play is not just play. It is how children learn, grow, and understand themselves and others.

11/10/2025

12/09/2024

Why is it so difficult to break an unhealthy habit?

05/09/2024

ADHD is more than just a focus issue—it impacts many aspects of daily life. Early recognition and support can make a big difference.

04/09/2024

What is Mental Health?

It’s about how we think, feel, and connect with others.

02/09/2024

Let’s bust some common myths about depression. Understanding the facts can help break the stigma and encourage those who need it to seek support. Remember, you’re not alone.

31/08/2024

We all have days when we feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or just emotionally drained. Life can be challenging, and it's important to recognise when you're running on empty.

Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, or simply feeling burnt out, reaching out for support can make all the difference.

31/08/2024

We all strive to do our best, but is there really a "perfect" parenting style? 🤔