Now is the time for compassion
The Covid-19 pandemic has swept through our homes and lives as a great invisible force, turning much of what we know upside down. As a therapist and early childhood teacher working with children on a daily basis, I am becoming more and more aware of both the obvious and the subtle ways our children are…
Read MoreWhy it’s important to support the development of empathy in children
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Read MoreThe power of reading to children
Reading to children is a wonderful and powerful way to communicate our care, and to help them learn a variety of important skills. Socially and emotionally, reading to our children has a deeper and more profound impact than we might imagine. When we read to children, it gives them the opportunity to increase their attention…
Read MoreDealing with separation anxiety in young children
Separation anxiety can be quite a challenge for both little ones and their parents! While it is perfectly normal and peaks at certain ages and developmental stages, it can still be daunting. Keep reading for some ideas on how to ease into transitions! Separation anxiety normally peaks between 18 months and three years, when little…
Read MorePreparing for the arrival of a new sibling
Anticipating the arrival of a new sibling, and getting used to sharing parents’ attention, can be a challenging time for little ones. It can be especially hard for toddlers, as they struggle with ambivalence around wanting to be a baby again, but also wanting to fulfill the developmental task of autonomy, and doing things by…
Read MoreA few thoughts on bonding and attachment with children
As a therapist who is passionate about attachment and all the wonderful benefits children gain from a secure attachment, I wanted to share some of this information with parents and parents-to-be. Happy reading, and may this information be the beginning of a beautiful journey for you and your little one. What is attachment? Attachment can…
Read MoreMore on my play therapy collaboration with children’s book writer and illustrator
In last week’s post, I interviewed Liesl van der Hoven about her children’s stories, products and philosophy. In today’s interview, she tells us more about her illustration techniques, the therapeutic element in her work, and Fairy Caravan’s future plans! Your artwork in particular in your latest project, the children’s book ‘What if worries weren’t wild?’,…
Read MoreInterview with writer and illustrator of therapeutic stories
I met the talented Liesl van der Hoven at a children’s expo and absolutely fell in love with beautiful little characters she creates for children’s stories and handmade toys. As we got to talking about our work, we recognized many similarities in our underlying philosophy and we started collaborating on projects, one of which is…
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