Play is a natural part of childhood and acts as a vital role in a child’s social and emotional development. Erik Erikson, an expert in human growth and development, defines play as a “situation in which a child can work…
Communication development for young children includes gaining the skills to understand and to express thoughts, feelings, and information, and encompasses both verbal and non-verbal cues. Language development expert, Lois Bloom, further describes communication development “as guided by the need for…
All forms of music, according to Psychology Today, “may have therapeutic effects, although music from one’s own culture may be most effective. In Chinese medical theory, the five internal organ and meridian systems are believed to have corresponding musical tones,…
Child development refers to the “sequence of physical, language, thought and emotional changes that occur in a child from birth to the beginning of adulthood.” There are a wide variety of factors, both environmental and biological, that can influence child…
Social anxiety refers to fear or worry related to interactions in social situations. The Mayo Clinic explains that “comfort levels in social situations vary, depending on personality traits and life experiences some people are naturally reserved, and others are more…
It is considered a part of typical pre-adolescent development for young people to experience bouts of panic during their youth. However, the sudden onset of recurring panic attacks that occur spontaneously and without cause is atypical and may indicate panic…
Parental reflective functioning (PRF) is explained as “the capacity parents have to understand their own mental states and those of their children, as well as the influence of those mental states on behavior.” PRF has a significant effect on child…
Mental health refers to emotional, cognitive, and behavioral well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life,…
Mental illness, as defined by the American Psychiatric Association, encompasses various “health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these).” There are a several different types of mental illness that affect the adolescent population in…
The Oxford English Dictionary defines anxiety as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. It will manifest differently in different children.…