In this episode, Lauren Edmunds explores how anxiety shows up in children and why no learning can happen when a child’s nervous system is in fight, flight, freeze or fawn.
She explains why anxious children first need to feel safe, not just be safe. She also warns that a calm, controlled environment on its own won’t prepare them for life.
Helping Our Anxious Kids Read Post »
How do we help children feel included when they struggle to join in? In this episode, Lauren Edmunds explores why inclusion is about more than simply being present.
She explains how giving children the time, space and support to participate at their own pace can help them build confidence, develop new skills and feel connected to the world around them.
Why Inclusion Starts Before a Child Joins In Read Post »
Learning is about more than taking in new information. Children need time to process what they’ve learnt and practise recalling it.
In this episode, Lauren Edmunds explores why children with learning difficulties may struggle to remember information and how screen time and distractions at home can affect their concentration.
Making Learning Easy Read Post »
When a child loses control of their emotions, it’s easy to see it as bad behaviour. But as Lauren Edmunds explains, there’s a difference between a child acting out and a child who is simply overwhelmed. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) offers a useful way to understand emotional dysregulation and what children need when their feelings become too much to handle.
Helping Children Manage Big Emotions Read Post »
We all want the best for our children, but what happens when our good intentions accidentally hold them back?
In this episode, Lauren Edmunds explores the concept of “learned helplessness” and how stepping in too quickly to fix a bed, tie a shoe, or finish a task can inadvertently send the message: I don’t trust you to do this.
Are We Accidentally Teaching Our Children They Can’t Read Post »
When parents struggle to get their children off devices, the usual advice is to set strict screen-time limits or use rewards. But when screens become something a child earns, they can end up becoming even more important, with the device taking over a bigger part of their day.
Screens are also often used to calm children who are dysregulated or neurodivergent. While this may seem to work in the moment, Lauren explains why it can sometimes lead to a shutdown rather than helping a child properly regulate their emotions.
Rethinking Screen Time: Connection Over Addiction Read Post »
When a child repeatedly breaks a rule, it is easy to respond by tightening discipline and demanding compliance. But forcing children to fall in line rarely addresses the real issue. More often than not, it simply masks what is causing the behaviour in the first place.
In this episode, Lauren Edmunds takes a closer look at the role of rules at school and at home. She explains the difference between rigid rules that demand compliance and flexible expectations that help children develop the skills they need. Lauren explores why rule-breaking can be a sign that a child is overwhelmed, lacks the necessary skills, or is avoiding something they find difficult. She also explains why, in many cases, either the expectation needs to be adjusted, or the child needs more support to meet it.
Choosing a school for an autistic child can be a significant decision for any family. You may be comparing different schools, wondering whether your child’s current environment is meeting their needs, or trying to understand what kind of support will help them learn and develop with confidence.
How to Choose the Right School for an Autistic Child Read Post »
It is easy to react to a child’s behaviour without stopping to consider what is driving it. But in therapy, we know that all behaviour is communication. Every action, word, or sudden change in mood is a child’s way of expressing how they feel and what they need.
In this episode, Lauren Edmunds explores what it takes to truly understand your child. Using ideas from character development and empathy, Lauren explains why parents and educators need to look beyond a child’s behaviour to understand what is really going on.
She also explores the risks of masking, particularly in neurodivergent children and young girls who hide their struggles to fit in, and explains why feeling accepted for who they are is the foundation for building confidence, self-worth, and trust in themselves.
Understanding Your Child’s Heart Read Post »
For many parents, finding the right school for an autistic child can feel like navigating unfamiliar territory. You may be wondering whether your child can succeed in a mainstream classroom, whether they need additional support, or whether a different learning environment might be a better fit.
Can an Autistic Child Thrive in a Mainstream School? Read Post »
Teaching a child a life skill is never as simple as explaining a rule once or writing it on a board. When children find themselves in high-pressure situations, whether standing up to a friend or navigating conflict, stress can quickly push them outside their comfort zone. If they have not had the opportunity to truly internalise the response, their nervous system often takes over.
In this episode, Lauren Edmunds explores how children develop and retain real-world skills. Through practical, everyday examples, she explains why role-playing different scenarios at home, when the stakes are low, gives children a safe space to practise, experiment, and build genuine confidence.
Rehearsing When Stakes Are Low Read Post »
Whether a child is dealing with a mean peer on the playground or being pressured into a game they do not want to play, it all starts with having the confidence to say no. But standing up for yourself is a skill that has to be taught and practised, for children and adults alike.
In this episode, Lauren Edmunds explores what it really means to “bully-proof” a child. Sharing a practical three-step approach to setting boundaries without guilt or aggression, Lauren explains why children need to know that their boundaries deserve to be respected.
When they understand that, they are better equipped to make confident choices, resist peer pressure, and speak up for themselves.
It is a practical conversation about helping children build confidence, overcome the fear of rejection, and use their voice.
