A child’s development: physical, cognitive, social, and emotional, is led by how her attachment needs are being met. Attachment is at the core of human relationships and is what matters to children to be able to survive, to explore their world, and to eventually gather enough confidence to become independent. If attachment needs are being met appropriately, a child will seek proximity and closeness with his/her attachment figure and feel safe to explore his/her surroundings knowing that a care-giver is close-by if the an emotional check-up is needed. The following 4 positive parent-child interactions are strategies for a parent to foster a healthy and secure attachment with their child.
Suicide is a traumatic reality that has touched many of us in the past year in Grande Prairie. It seems to be an epidemic that is rippling through our adolescent population causing heartache to many families, friends, and peers. Many questions are asked about what could have been done: “Why my family?” “Could I have done something different?” or “Why didn’t I notice any signs?” Many emotions can be triggered from loss such as anger, fear, guilt, and sadness. Nothing can prepare us for the devastating impact when a loved one chooses to take his or her life. Because it seems to be an ongoing community epidemic, we are left searching for answers to stop the devastation, while living in ongoing fear of who will be next. The following article will hopefully provide some information to help family and friends understand adolescent suicide, provide strategies to shield adolescents from using suicide as an option to escape their struggles, and provide strategies to strengthen family relationships.
Sometimes when life gets busy we forget to play. Playing can invoke feelings of guilt that are associated with not being productive. For some, taking time to play and doing something they enjoy can make them feel childish and lazy. What many do not know however is how truly important it is to balance their day with play. Play is essential health and wellbeing. It is involved in the development of the brain, strengthening relationships, and keeping our mental health in check. Play is a fundamental life process we cannot do without. It brings joy to day to day living on many levels. Current research shows us that the drive for play and sleep are found in the same area of the brain. This suggests that play is as crucial to our functioning as sleep throughout our lifespan. Stuart Brown, in his popular book Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul, notes that the opposite of play is not work but depression. Read on to find a list of reasons why play is essential across the lifespan.
