You'd be forgiven for thinking that there was no good news about lying, but actually being capable of stretching the truth is an important developmental milestone for your child, especially when it comes to telling those little white lies.“Children are very perceptive and often d...

TANTRUMS ARE A very common phenomenon in toddlers. That's because, at this age, a child's cognitive development is advancing very rapidly, but while he is able to imagine what he wants, his ability to wait and view the situation from another perspective is not quite as sophistica...

Scary monsters, ghosts and ghouls Reassure your child that he is safe, and help him to feel secure and less anxious. A toddler may benefit from choosing a toy that can “protect” him; an older child may be reassured if he can take the time to explain 
to you what is real and what ...

Explain feelings Describe how other people feel when they are sad or when they are hurt in clear and concise language. If your child breaks another child’s toy, for example, you can remind him how he felt when one of his toys broke, and say. “That is how Danny is feeling.” Be con...

AS THE LONG, lazy days of summer stretch ahead of us, how do you envisage filling the days? With idle pursuits like relaxing walks in the park, watching the leaves shimmering in the breeze, maybe a spot of rock-pooling or making footprints in the sand. Or are the days more likely...

.Praise positive behaviourLet children know what behaviour you like, and why – and heap on that praise. More psychology from Junior:Five ways to conquer childhood fearsWays to boost your child's body image

Sure, superheroes can blast enemies to smithereens, but they’re also kind and caring and they look after others.More psychology from Junior:How to combat sibling rivalryBring out your child's inner performer

child’s ability to form loving relationships.” So you don’t have to be perfect, you just need to look for ways to nurture your child’s sense of joy about the wonders of love.More psychology from Junior:Bring out your child's inner performerFive reasons

, such as reading a story, playing a game, or just having a chat. Do this daily and tell them how much you enjoy it.Recall successes Talk about your child’s triumphs, especially at moments of low confidence. It will help instill self-value.More psychology tips from

. And what do they think about? Some of their conversation is likely to be speculation about the other gender, laying the groundwork for early adolescence when girls and boys become attractive to each other in a whole new way.More psychology from Junior