Child Psychology

Expert in Child Psychology

Child Psychology

Child Psychology is a key part of developmental psychology, focusing on the psychological processes of children from birth to adolescence. This includes how they develop physically,  mentally, socially, and emotionally.  To understand a child’s mental development, we observe how a child interacts with themselves, their parents, and the world.  Because childhood plays a big part in a person’s life, it is no wonder it has become a big topic in Psychology.

Reasons for seeing a Child Therapist

• Loss
• Divorce
• Grief
• To develop healthy coping mechanisms and tools
• Trauma
• Isolation
• Shame
• Attachment issues
• Parenting needs
• Relationship issues
• Emotional or developmental problem
• Learning difficulties; disorders like ADHD, and difficult behavior.
• Teenagers dealing with depression, anxiety, or stress.
• Understanding emotional development
• Defiant and impulsive behavior
• Measuring developmental milestones
• Socialization; acquiring values, knowledge & skills to help children relate to others effectively

When it comes to the development and advancement of children you have to take into account genetics and personal characteristics. Environmental factors such as culture and social relationships also play key roles.  When considering an analysis of a child the following are some of the major contexts to take into account:

• The Social Context: How do peers react to children and adolescents who fail to conform to cultural norms of social competence? Relationships with adults and fellow peers have a big influence on how a child develops and grows. Family life and school all play a big role in the Social Context.
• The Cultural Context: Children grow up in different cultures around the world and heavily contribute to the customs, values, and ways of living that impact how a child develops.
• The Socioeconomic Context: Socioeconomic status is based on a number of different factors and variables. Education, economic stability or instability, social class, and where they live can be influential in the growth of child psychology. Children raised in a high socioeconomic household tend to have greater access to opportunities while those raised in a lower socioeconomic household might not.

Problems addressed in Child Psychology involve the study, assessment, and treatment of interrelated psychological, biological, and social issues experienced by children. The following are some of the problems addressed:

• Emotional and Developmental problems
• Trauma and loss
• Health-related problems
• Significant mental disorders
• Biological vulnerabilities
• Cognitive deficits
• Stress and coping related to developmental change

Here are a few basic child psychology tips to better understand your children:

• Observation is Key. One of the simplest and most effective ways to learn about a child is through observation. Observe their actions, expressions, and temperament when they play, sleep, and eat. Avoid comparing your child with other children since every child is different and only adds to the stress of parenting. Ask yourself the following: What does your child like to do the most? How does he or she react when having to do something he/she does not like? How social is he or she? Is he or she willing to share or experience new things?
• Spend Quality time with your child. To better understand your children, you need to make time for them. Conversations with your children will give you information on what is going on with their school and social lives. Asking questions like what their favorite band or television show is will allow you to better understand them.
• Pay attention to their environment. Children’s behavior is largely dependent on the type of people they have around them and how they interact with him or her and how your children interact back.
• Listen. Talking with your child is important and good for the relationship but listening is just as important. Children might not be able to explain themselves clearly so listening to the words and expressions they use can be beneficial in understanding their way of thinking.
• Empathize. Empathy is an important quality that parents can develop to better understand their children. Put yourself in their shoes and listen to their feelings. How would you have behaved if you were in your child’s place?

Child Psychology is an important branch of family health and a proactive measure. If you are are looking for beneficial treatment for your family please give us a call at (714) 584-9700 or contact us through our contact page.

Focuses on the mind and behavior of children, also their emotional, mental, and social development. We work to help children who are struggling with stresses that include loss, school transition/issues, divorce, or learning disabilities