Tips for Toddlers - Managing Tantrums
Posted by: Felicity

Managing tantrums can be challenging for even the most patient parent. However, if you can gain co-operation from your toddler at least 50% of the time then you’re doing very well.  One technique to assist co-operation is by helping your child learn to use words to identify and express their feelings using these 4 steps.  

Step 1: Stop. (Calmly tell your child to stop)

Step 2: What's the problem? (Check with your child that you understand their problem as they see it)

Step 3: How do you feel about it? (Ask your child how they feel about the problem or prompt them by using “feeling” words that you think match their body language, such as “cross”, “frustrated”, “sad” or “disappointed”.

Step 4: What do you want to happen? (Ask your child how they see the problem getting sorted out. What would they like to happen? What do you, as the parent, think is possible?).

If the outcome that your child hopes for is not possible, let them know this in a firm but kind manner, also illustrating that you are aware of how they may feel about the decision that has been reached.
 
This approach to tantrums can help your child to slow down the process of “emotional over-reaction” over time. 

How would I know if my child would benefit from seeing a psychologist?
Posted by: Georgina

Parents often tell us that the decision to see a psychologist can be a very difficult process.

Many of the symptoms that are characteristic of social, behavioural and emotional difficulties in children and young people can also be part of their normal development. So in considering whether or not your child may benefit from a psychologist, there are two questions to ask yourself:

• How much do the concerns cause my child distress?
• How much do the concerns interfere with their daily functions (for example, getting along with others at home or at school, being able to concentrate on their school work etc).

Some signs that may indicate that you and/or your child may benefit from counselling include:

• Feeling sad or anxious (worrying about things) most of the time
• Feeling irritable and angry most of the time
• Withdrawing from communication with family and friends
• A significant increase in the time that they spend alone
• A significant change in school performance (e.g., a drop in marks)
• Showing less interest in things that they used to enjoy
• Struggling to cope with everyday challenges and activities
• Changes in sleeping patterns (e.g., difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep)
• Complaining a lot of the time about physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, stomach-aches).
• Changes in appetite or behaviours related to eating.
• Children and adolescents can become obsessed with food and/or exercise with associated fears of gaining weight. They may restrict what they eat.
• Children and adolescents can binge (eat a lot) and the purge (induced vomiting) -you might notice trips to the bathroom after meals.
• High use of alcohol and/or drugs  
• Persistently defying teachers and parents most of the time
• Skipping school, stealing or damaging property

Some symptoms are of more concern and warrant an immediate assessment with a psychologist.

• Expressing a want to die or cause significant harm to one self
• Hearing voices or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
• Expressing strong beliefs in irrational ideas that are not consistent with their culture (e.g., adamant that aliens are communicating with them) (dellusions) 

Sometimes it can help to talk about the idea of seeing a psychologist prior to making an appointment. If you think we can assist you, call either clinic and request that one of our principal psychologists contact you. We can discuss whether MCPC may be the right service for you and your child.

You may also like to read the information for parents on our website which includes information about how to talk to your child about seeing a psychologist.

Welcome to the MCPC website
Posted by: Felicity and Georgina

We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Melbourne Children’s Psychology Clinic website.

Here you’ll find information for parents, GP’s and kids. For example, we’ve answered common questions that parents have such as, “How to talk to your child about seeing a psychologist” and we’ve included tip sheets for GP’s. There is also stuff for kids and teenagers including links to fun and interesting sites relating to emotional health and wellbeing.

We’ll continue to add information here on topics of interest and upcoming events so we hope that you’ll visit us again.

We hope that you find our service to be helpful and approachable.

Warm Regards,
Felicity and Georgina

On Behalf of the MCPC Team