Practical emotional support for you and your child from morning to bedtime.
Do emotional and social skills in childhood really matter years later? A 14 year randomized study followed children from preschool through high school and found lasting differences in emotional symptoms and behavior, along with developmental pathways connected to academic success.
Self-regulation is not simply something children either have or don’t. Harvard research points to skills that develop over time and can be practiced in everyday life. Here’s what that means for parents and why difficult moments can become opportunities to build skills.
Many parents expect mornings to be peaceful, but instead face crying, whining, resistance, or emotional meltdowns before breakfast.
A gentle bedtime routine that helps children fall asleep faster, reduce tantrums, and feel emotionally safe
A gentle guide to helping children regulate emotions and build calm reactions
Every parent has experienced this moment. Your child suddenly starts screaming, crying, kicking – and nothing you try seems to work. And in public, it can feel even worse.
Many parents use the words tantrum and meltdown interchangeably. But psychologists describe them as two different emotional states in children. Understanding the difference helps parents respond in a way that actually helps the child calm down.
Public tantrums are one of the most stressful experiences for parents. It often happens in places like grocery stores, restaurants, playgrounds, or airports.
Toddlers often cry over things that seem tiny to adults – a broken cookie, the wrong cup, or leaving the playground.
Should you step in when your child is struggling, or let them work it out? Harvard affiliated research on cognitive development suggests that children benefit from support that helps them move forward while still leaving meaningful parts of the challenge for them to solve.
Good parenting does not require having the perfect response every time. Research on parenting self-efficacy suggests that feeling more capable and knowing what to do next may matter more than having all the answers.
What if the best time to respond to a child’s tantrum is before it fully begins? A 2025 randomized trial offers an interesting clue about timing, emotional escalation, and what parents can do in the moment.
A parent-friendly guide to recognizing stress early and helping children feel calm and safe
Explore practical emotional support for you and your child.
Created with child psychologists Designed for real family life