Understanding Young Children: Parenting Resources & Guidance
A supportive place for parents to get trusted answers on what’s really going on
Being a parent and raising young children can bring so many moments of uncertainty and questions like, “Is this developmentally normal? What does my child need?” Often, understanding your child begins with understanding what your child’s behavior may be communicating – which is not always easy to decipher. If your kiddo leaves you confused or concerned, having the contextual support of a child development expert can make all the difference.
I’m here to make confusing parenting moments more manageable. As a child psychologist who specializes in early childhood (ages 0-7) I am on a mission to equip parents with the practical guidance they need to respond to the challenges of early childhood. I’ve designed this hub to act as a growing library of practical, developmentally informed resources to help parents understand common early childhood concerns and explore supportive, loving, connected, and developmentally informed ways to respond.
This resource hub is designed to help parents and caregivers…
- Make sense of what your child is experiencing
- Find trustworthy developmental guidance from a child psychologist
- Discover practical parenting strategies and ways to respond
- Explore powerful, family-affirming resources, events, and more
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
Parenting is an adventurous journey, and while there is no roadmap, there are helpful, informative insights. I’m honored to offer parents a safe place to learn and reflect, and I am licensed to provide virtual therapy services in the eligible PSYPACT-participating U.S. states. I also offer in-person therapy sessions at my therapy office in Rhode Island.
If you have a question or need help finding your footing in a specific situation, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m literally just one email or phone call away. 😊
A supportive place for parents to get trusted answers on what’s really going on
Understanding big feelings & raising emotionally regulated children
Learn the foundational insights parents need to know about their child’s developing nervous system. From co-regulation to interpreting fussiness to understanding what’s developmentally expected, this helpful, easy-to-read guide is designed to help parents discover when and how to offer the type of support your child needs so that you and your child can stay connected and regulated as they grow.
Support your child’s listening & cooperation skills
If your child is struggling with listening and cooperation skills, pushes limits, or cannot follow directions, the explanation may be developmental, environmental, or even relational. The truth is there are several different reasons why your kiddo might be struggling to listen and cooperate. Learn what’s realistic at each developmental stage, how to support your child’s listening and cooperation skills, and what to do when nothing seems to work.
Help your child process worries, fear, & separation anxiety
From meltdowns to shutdowns and total tantrums… life is hard, even for tiny humans – especially when they’re worried about something, and they don’t know how to communicate their concern. It takes time to learn that they are safe, and fears like separation anxiety can put a strain on the parent-child connection. Learn how parents can support connection, stability, coping, and resilience at every developmental stage from 0-7.
Navigating stressful & overwhelming experiences with children
As much as we want to protect our little ones from distress, adverse circumstances happen. Whether they’ve lost a beloved pet or are experiencing a major family change like the arrival of a new sibling or a divorce, moments of overwhelm happen. When they do, understanding childhood stress through a developmental lens can make all the difference in how well your child copes and overcomes.
Reading and exploring parenting resources are powerful action items, and I applaud your desire to learn and grow. While some questions can be explored through educational resources, some parents and families may benefit from a more personalized approach. Every child and parent-child dynamic is unique, and some challenges and situations call for individualized guidance.
If you’re recognizing that more help may be needed, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The formative years of 0-7 are foundational to a child’s internal blueprint, so if you think you may benefit from professional support, please don’t wait until things become overwhelming.
For parents who want more personalized guidance, I invite you to explore Family-Based Psychotherapy – which can be instrumental to helping your child develop optimally and strengthening the parent-child bond.
Alternatively, if you know you need help but aren’t sure what type of support best suits your family’s needs, I offer one-off Consultation & Assessments where I meet with parents to help them understand their options and find clarity on the next step.