Quick Reads

Helping young children manage their feelings can be tricky. Sometimes, they get upset or anxious, and it’s hard for them to calm down. The 54321 method is a popular way to help with this. But for younger kids, it can feel a bit complicated. That’s why I want to share a simpler version that works just as well. This easy method helps children focus on the world around them. It brings their attention to the present moment. This can stop worries and big feelings from taking over.

The school gates reopen and within days — sometimes hours — you start to see it. The child who cried through the last week of term is now refusing to get dressed. The one who seemed fine all Easter is suddenly hitting their sibling. The quiet one has gone quieter. April is one of the most psychologically complex months in a child's year. The summer term is long, the expectations are high, and children arrive back at school having spent two weeks deregulating in ways their ner

Christmas is often painted as the most magical time of year, especially for children. Twinkling lights, festive films, piles of presents, and joyful family gatherings dominate our cultural picture of December. Yet beneath the sparkle lies a far more complicated reality for many families. December brings a perfect storm of challenges for young people’s well-being: end-of-term exhaustion, flu season, disrupted routines, and intense pressure to meet festive expectations. Underst

Written for Counselling Directory by Zara O'Brien "Tell me about Grandad again." "What was Mummy like when she was little?" "Do you think Nanny would be proud of me?" When children ask these questions, they're not just seeking information. They're doing something profoundly important: they're keeping their loved one alive through story. For too long, grief support focused on "letting go," "moving on," or "closure." But contemporary grief theory recognises something children i

The image is both powerful and heartbreaking: a group of families, many holding placards and some with their children by their side, standing outside the UK Parliament. They aren't there to protest a tax hike or a political scandal. They are fighting for something far more fundamental: their children's right to an education and the support they desperately need to thrive. As a recent Sky News report and the campaign by Special Needs Jungle, #SaveOurChildrensRights, have highl

Every child faces setbacks, big or small. They may struggle with schoolwork, navigate friendships, or manage emotions they don’t fully understand. Resilience, the ability to cope with and recover from these challenges, is a vital skill that can set children up for long-term wellbeing. The good news is that resilience isn’t something children are simply born with. It is nurtured over time through supportive relationships, reflection, and practical strategies. These tools help

Parenting is one of life’s greatest rewards, yet also one of its most complex challenges. Many families find themselves unsure how to respond when a child struggles — with big emotions, difficult behaviours, or challenges at school or with friendships. Sometimes a diagnosis, such as ADHD, autism, or anxiety, is raised. Other times, families are navigating ongoing concerns without a formal label. In both cases, it’s natural to feel uncertain, anxious, or even overwhelmed. Whil