First Psychology blog

Times have changed. Years ago, while bullying existed in our schools and open spaces, home remained a safe-haven where children and young people could retreat and feel safe. Today, however, our children are not afforded this luxury. Bullying often continues long after the school day has ended and the challenge for parents is how we can best support our children when they’re going through a difficult time. Give them your time Having a non-judgmental, calm ear that they can talk to, whenever they feel the need, is the most important thing you can offer to your child when they’re being bullied. As a parent, your instinct will be to sort the problem out, to fix things. That is not what your child needs at first. Make it clear that you are there for them and encourage them to speak to you every day. Reassure them. Let them know that whatever they are going through is not their fault and that together you will sort it out. Give them an outlet When you have been bullied, you start to feel...

For many children going to school will be their first taste of independence. The first opportunity for them to communicate with others outside of the safety of the family circle. This is how their personality is shaped and they learn how to interact with the world around them. It is for many children, an exciting time of self-discovery. However, for others, social skills may be harder to develop than any academic subject. There are many ways that we as parents can prepare our children for the social interactions they will encounter once at school. Do as I say – and as I do It may appear that our children don’t listen to us – however, they hear more than we realise and they see everything. The way we treat others serves as a role model for our children and reinforces the other cues and tips that we share with our children. If you are sociable yourself, chances are your children will find it easier to interact with others. If manners are important in your home – it won’t come as a sur...

We all know from our own childhood (and adult) experiences that being confident greatly improves our chances of happiness and success in life. So how can you tell if your child is confident and are you doing the right things to help boost their confidence and self-esteem? We look at three common myths about confidence in children. 1. Praise is always good right?  While it is true that praising your child is beneficial, overpraising is not. Tip: Think about how often and why you praise your child. Only praise them for real achievements and be specific about your reasons for praising them. 2. If my child can speak in class and make themselves heard, they are confident, aren't they? No, this is not necessarily the case at all. Children have different personalities and some children will be naturally quiet while others will be more outgoing. Tip: Look for other signs that your child is confident, such as them being able to express their needs and wishes in an assertive way....

According to recent studies,  bullying is becoming more widespread. The use of social media in every day life is one factor. Bullies are able to hide behind opaque identities online and can use these to target individuals. And whereas in the past malicious information may have taken a while to spread, with social media, information can spread fast leading to increased humiliation of the victim in a very public environment. The effects of bullying "The long-term consequences of bullying are considerable," says Professor Ewan Gillon, Clinical Director of First Psychology Scotland. "When young people are bullied, it can result in a life-time of anxiety in social situations. Adults who were bullied as children can find it hard to trust others." "Those who experience bullying often isolate themselves from others and this can add to feelings of depression and lack of control over the situation. Cyber bullying can be particularly bad because the victim may not ...