Children
Children sometimes need psychological help, just like adults do. Treatment typically begins when parents, teachers or school counselors notice that children aren’t functioning as well as they could. Psychologists can help children cope with such problems as anxiety and depression, hyperactivity, conflicts with parents and stressful events like divorce or a parent’s death.
Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology
What You Can Do
- Changing diet and exercise for kids
Every child needs to learn the ABC’s of life. When it comes to establishing healthy habits, you can teach them how to “ABCDE” (Act Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise).
- Facing the school dropout dilemma
This article seeks to complement and supplement the APA resolution on school dropout prevention with data from more recent research on child development, early childhood education, and social and emotional learning that helps to define the school dropout dilemma.
- Confronting childhood obesity
Tips and resources for parents about helping their children make better decisions about what they eat to prevent childhood obesity.
- Summer camp blues
Parents can play a big role in helping kids overcome feelings of homesickness at summer camp.
- Children
A collection of research studies with a real-world applications, designed to help children cope with such problems as depression, hyperactivity, conflicts with parents, and stressful events like bullying and suicide.
Getting Help
- Find a Psychologist
- What Parents Should Know About Treatment of Behavioral And Emotional Disorders in Preschool Children
An overview of important factors in diagnosing and treating behavioral and emotional disorders in young children, particularly from the perspective of the parents of such children.
News
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Do boys benefit from aggressive play?
August 29, 2010, MSNBC
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Can preschoolers be depressed?
August 25, 2010, The New York Times
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Do children's sleep habits affect their grades?
August 23, 2010, ABC News
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Sign language cuts frustration levels, helps babies communicate
August 18, 2010, Atlanta Journal Constitution
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When kids exhibit gender-variant behavior
August 17, 2010, Chicago Tribune
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'Dramatic results'
August 17, 2010, BBC News
Monitor on Psychology Articles
Books
- How to Find Mental Health Care for Your Child
September 2010
- Emotions, Aggression, and Morality in Children
April 2010
- Grief in Childhood
April 2010
- Child Development at the Intersection of Emotion and Cognition
November 2009
APA Offices and Programs
- Children, Youth, and Families
The Children, Youth and Families Office supports the work of the APA Committee on Children, Youth and Families and serves as liaison with other APA divisions, related organizations, state associations and federal agencies.
- Children's Mental Health
Mental health -- an essential part of children's overall health -- has a complex interactive relationship with their physical health and their ability to succeed in school, at work, and in society.