Children do not always have the words to say, “I feel overwhelmed,” “I am scared,” or “My body feels too full.” Sometimes this comes out as crying, anger, restlessness, clinginess, withdrawal, or not listening. Before we try to reason with a child, the body often needs help to feel safe again. One helpful way to […]
Body Helpers: 5 Simple Ways to Help Your Child Calm Their Nervous System Read More »
🌿 Healing begins in spaces Safe and Free In every child there is a living, breathing psyche — a creative force striving toward wholeness. Yet this growth can only unfold in an atmosphere of safety and freedom. Healing begins in spaces Safe and FreeDora Kalff, the founder of Jungian Sandplay Therapy, called this atmosphere the
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When Boys Speak Through Symbols In Jungian Sandplay Therapy, children express their emotions through symbols rather than words. For boys with challenging behaviour or emotional struggles, the sandtray becomes a world where they can safely explore power, control, and vulnerability. It’s common for boys to reach for soldiers, superheroes, or warriors — figures that represent
When primary school children feel unheard, they often show it through behaviour—tantrums, withdrawal, or acting out in class. Many parents wonder: Why is my child behaving this way? Often, the answer is simple—your child just wants to feel listened to. Listening to kids is one of the most powerful parenting tools. When you give your
🌿The Power of Listening: How Parents Can Really Hear Their Children Read More »
As parents, we often put enormous pressure on ourselves. We worry about whether we are doing enough, saying the right things, or providing everything our children might need. But here’s the truth: your child doesn’t need you to be perfect. They need you to be present. Perfection is an Illusion In today’s world, parents are
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Reviewed with a focus on boys and behavioural challenges Bruce D. Perry, a renowned child psychiatrist and neuroscientist, together with journalist Maia Szalavitz, delivers a powerful, compassionate, and scientifically grounded book in The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook (2006; revised editions 2017). Through a series
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce D. Perry and Maia Szalavitz Read More »
In many South African homes, especially when children — often boys — act out, get angry, or don’t listen, the default response is still a hiding. “Spare the rod, spoil the child,” right? But times are changing. And what we now know about child development, emotions, and discipline tells a very different story. What Is
Why Hitting Doesn’t Help: A Better Way to Discipline Your Child Read More »
By Rina Louw | Clinical Social Worker & Sandplay Therapy Practitioner 🧩 Your Child’s Behavior Is Trying to Tell You Something “He just explodes out of nowhere.”“She shuts down when I ask what’s wrong.”“Why does everything become a fight?” These are questions many parents of primary school children quietly carry. It can feel confusing, frustrating,
🌿 Why Your Child’s Behavior Is a Message: Parenting the Inner World with Compassion Read More »
(Inspired by Dr. Shefali Tsabary) What is Conscious Parenting? Conscious Parenting is a transformative approach where parents focus on connection, awareness, and mindful presence with their children. It’s about guiding children with empathy and allowing them to express their emotions freely. Instead of focusing on controlling behavior, Conscious Parenting emphasizes understanding the deeper emotional needs
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Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.” – Ola Joseph As parents, we’ve all seen it: Two kids watch the same movie—one laughs, the other cries. Or maybe your child seems fine after a playdate, while their sibling ends up in tears. What’s going on? Welcome to the
Empathy: Same Storm, Different Boats: Teaching Kids Emotional Diversity Read More »
