boundary

Limits that communicate what a child is comfortable with and identify behaviour that is unacceptable or unsafe.

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Helping children accept an apology while keeping healthy boundaries

Why apology and boundaries are separate skills One of the most helpful ideas to give children is that accepting an apology does not mean giving up their right to safety or comfort. A child can listen, notice the other person’s words, and still decide, ‘I need space right now.’ That is not rude; it is […]

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Helping children recognize controlling behavior in friendships

What controlling behavior in friendship looks like Controlling behavior in a friendship is more than being bossy. It is a repeated pattern in which one child uses pressure to shape what another child says, does, shares, or believes. Researchers describe coercive behavior as verbal or physical pressure used to gain compliance or status. In daily […]

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Supporting children when friendships fade naturally

Why friendships sometimes fade naturally Children do not form static social bonds. In middle childhood and adolescence, friendships often change as children develop different interests, move into new classrooms, join new activities, or become more selective about whose company feels comfortable. A friendship that once felt close can quietly loosen without either child doing something […]

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Teaching kids about strangers and unsafe situations

Start with safety skills rather than fear Young children often think in concrete terms and may interpret “stranger” as a person who looks unusual or frightening. This can create false reassurance because many people appear friendly, and it can unfairly stigmatize people based on appearance, age, clothing, disability, or occupation. Explain that a stranger is […]

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Common stranger safety myths

Myth 1: The greatest danger is a completely unknown stranger This is the central stranger-safety myth. Public attention often focuses on stereotypical abductions involving a person the child has never seen before, a vehicle, and a sudden disappearance. Such events are serious, but they are uncommon compared with many other forms of child victimization. Research […]

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Public restroom safety for children

Why public restrooms require active safety planning Children have different proportions, balance, strength, and risk perception than adults. A toilet that seems stable to an adult may be difficult for a small child to approach, sit on, or stand from safely. A sink may be too high, a hand dryer may startle a child, and […]

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Relationships in school environment

Why school relationships matter School is a major social and neurodevelopmental setting. Children practise attention, emotional regulation, perspective-taking, cooperation, and problem-solving through repeated interactions. A predictable, respectful relationship with an adult can help a child feel safe enough to ask questions, tolerate mistakes, and return to learning after disappointment. Peer relationships provide a different but […]

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