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
When it comes to establishing healthy habits, you can teach children how to Act Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise (A.B.C.D.E.)
- 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
-
Toddlers hear their own words differently
December 23, 2011, ABC News
-
Childhood disorder prompts study of infection link to mental illness
December 5, 2011, Los Angeles Times
Monitor on Psychology Articles
- Twenty-five years of serving children, youth and families
July 2011
- Babes in arms
May 2011
- Opening minds to the ‘wonder years’
May 2011
- If you want a toy, eat your broccoli
April 2011
- Free app helps kids exile bad moods
November 2010
- Little-known caregivers
October 2010
- APA informs Congress about risks to immigrant children
September 2010
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.
