Social and emotional skills articles
How to raise a confident child
Help your child grow in confidence and self-esteem with these practical tips.
Online safety rules every parent should follow
Do you worry that you're not doing enough to keep your child safe online? Are you overwhelmed by all the apps, games and websites they want to visit and despair of keeping on top of it all? Alicia Coad, founder of family messaging app ChatFOSS, offers her top online safety tips for busy parents.
What is a pupil referral unit?
We explain what to expect if your child is referred to a pupil referral unit (PRU), an alternative to mainstream school.
How to cope with friendship bullying
What should you do if your child is being picked on by their friend? We asked the experts at Childline for advice about friendship bullying.
What is Circle Time?
Circle Time is used in many primary schools, but what actually happens in these sessions? We've got the parents' guide.
Sign language and Makaton in primary schools
Signing can give children an educational boost, regardless of whether they have special needs. We take a look at its growth in schools.
Coping with school refusal
What do you do if your child develops a phobia of going to school? We look at strategies for handling school refusal.
How to help a shy child
School can be a testing place for socially anxious children. We take a look at how to help boost your child's confidence.
Talking to children about mental health
The way we talk to our children about mental health issues could influence their attitudes as they get older. SANE chief executive Marjorie Wallace gives her advice on opening the conversation.
Preparing for the teenage years
Feeling daunted by the prospect of parenting a teenager? Putting in some groundwork before your child hits their teens could ease their passage through this troublesome time.
Mindfulness in primary schools explained
Mindfulness is now a part of the school day for many children. We take a look at how it helps them be their best.
Talking to children about terrorism and distressing events
How can we talk to our kids about tragic incidents without scaring them? We have expert tips for handling difficult conversations with your primary-school child.
How to help your child manage their anger
Is your child’s temper affecting their learning, friendship and family life? Anger management strategies could help them get their emotions under control.
What is CAMHS?
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services provide help for young people suffering a range of difficulties. We take a look at how they could help your child.
Helping your primary school child with exam stress
With increasing numbers of children suffering the effects of test anxiety, how can you help your child keep their nerves under control?
Teaching children tolerance
With over a third of young people having witnessed hate speak online, how can we tackle intolerance by raising the next generation of open-minded and accepting kids?
'Home educating our bullied daughter has changed our lives'
Lisa Miley from Essex began home educating her daughter Leanne, nine, after she was bullied at school. She shares her story.
Teaching your child the art of happiness
Happiness and positivity can make a huge difference to your child’s wellbeing and achievement. We take a look at what schools are doing, and how you can help your child be happier every day.
Help your child cope with difficult feelings
Watching your child deal with friendship problems, anxiety, bullying and bereavement is very difficult, but you can help them develop coping strategies and boost their resilience, says former primary-school teacher and author Avril McDonald.
Does your primary school child need a mobile phone?
‘Everyone else’ might have one, but does your primary-school child need a phone of their own, and how can you make sure they’re using it responsibly?
How to build your child's independence
Do you feel like you’re constantly nagging your child to get things done? Helping them develop their independent streak could help to break the trap.
How to help your child with anxiety
Anxiety is on the rise amongst primary school children, but, with the right support, they can overcome it.
20 things you learn in your child's Reception year
The first year of school is a big learning curve for your Reception child – and for you, too...
Surviving the festive season: parents' tips for SEN kids
Christmas crowds, lights, smells and lack of routine can make the holidays a challenging time for autistic children. Help keep the whole family happy during the festivities with practical tips from parents from the disability charity Scope’s online community.
Speaking and listening skills for SEN kids: parents' tips
Communicating effectively is hard for all of us, but children with special educational needs can find it particularly challenging. Help them practise their skills and boost their confidence with practical communication tips from parents from the disability charity Scope’s online community.
Making friends and play for SEN kids: parents' tips
Making friends and learning how to play are an important part of growing up, but it can be hard for children with special educational needs to learn crucial social skills such as how to share and interact, how to take turns and how to negotiate with others. Help your child find kindred spirits with practical friendship tips from parents from the disability charity Scope’s online community.
Positive mental health tips for parents of SEN children
If your child has special educational needs it can be particularly hard to identify mental health difficulties. Help them express their feelings and cope with life's ups and downs more effectively with these practical tips from parents from the disability charity Scope’s online community.
Autism and ADHD in girls
Spotting the signs of autism and ADHD in girls can be difficult, and getting a diagnosis even harder. So how can you tell if your daughter has one of these supposedly male-dominated conditions?
Is your child addicted to video games?
How do you know if your child’s passion for gaming is getting out of control? We explain how to spot the signs and beat the obsession.
10 ways to boost an able child's confidence
Being academically gifted can put a strain on your child’s emotional wellbeing, so how can you spot if they’re struggling and build their self-esteem?
Best kids' picture books about difficult subjects
From sharing and the democratic process to divorce and bereavement, these picture books all tackle tricky subjects with warmth, humour and understanding. Some are more suitable for younger children and others will be appreciated by tweens, but they all make difficult things easier to talk about and understand.
The SEN code of practice 2014: what it means for your child
The special educational needs system underwent its biggest reform in 30 years from 2014. We explain the main changes and how they could affect your child.
How to keep children safe on social media
Once your children start using the Internet independently, how do you keep them safe while allowing them to make the most of and enjoy social media websites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter? Sorin Mustaca, Avira’s IT security expert, shares some practical strategies.
Coping with school life: practical strategies to help autistic children
Schools can be complicated places for children, teachers and parents. Autism practitioner Gina Davies explains that there will invariably be challenges when autistic children start and attend school, but strategies that enable parents and teachers to work in partnership can be very successful.
Sex and relationships: how to talk to your primary-school child
How should you discuss the birds and the bees with your child and when, and what can you expect your school to provide in terms of sex and relationships education? We asked the experts for their guidance for the primary-school years.
7 common school life problems solved
Every parent wants their child to be happy at school, but what if there’s a problem? Here’s our step-by-step guide to tackling and resolving some of the common issues that might crop up in primary school.
5 ways to teach relaxation skills to your child
Knowing how to keep calm in emotionally difficult situations is an important life skill that’s never too early to learn. Even if you don’t feel you’ve mastered it yourself, you can still help your child manage their stress levels – and perhaps improve your own stress management in the process. Educational psychologist Lisa Gupta lends her top tips for parents.
How debating can benefit your child
From improving speaking and listening skills to building self-esteem, learning to debate could have many benefits for your primary-school child. Lucy Dimbylow finds out more.
Personal, social and emotional development in EYFS
Personal, social and emotional education is important for Early Years Foundation Stage children's development. Find out here how you can support your child's emotional education at home.
How your child develops in the Early Years Foundation Stage
As your child starts their primary education, here's how they’ll develop during their Reception year.