MD
Dr. Neha Bhave Salankar is a consultant psychiatrist at Bhave Institute of Mental Health based in Nagpur and has around 11 years of experience in the field. Having been a meritorious student throughout, she bagged the prestigious gold medal for medicine in MBBS and MD psychiatry. She also took training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru.
She is associated with NACRT, a counseling and remediation center at Nagpur and is also a liaison psychiatrist with several prestigious hospitals in the city.
Dr. Neha has extensive experience in conducting seminars (including corporate stress management seminars) and talks. You can also catch her writings and views on mental health issues in the e-newspaper Nation Next, where she is a columnist.
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Adolescence brings several physical, physiological, emotional, and social changes in teens. Sometimes, these changes can be quite overwhelming and confusing, which is when parents should work on building confidence in teenagers. Developing self-confidence is necessary to help teenagers achieve their goals, build better relationships, and become resilient to face challenges. Parents play a significant role…
As parents, the joyous feeling of bringing a new human into the world cannot be matched by anything else. There are a lot of interesting learning activities for a one-month-old baby. Babies in their first month are sensitive to the environment around them, and they are slowly but steadily developing their vision and hearing abilities.…
Given the increased physical and mental stress with growing age, self-care for teens is an important aspect to discuss. During teenage years, your child goes through substantial changes in their lives- from their bodily and hormonal changes to stressing over their education and personal life. While there is a lot of awareness regarding teenage physical…
Tics in children usually begin from 3-9 years of age and become more severe from 9-11 years of age. Childhood tics are more common in boys than in girls (1). Tics are quick and difficult-to-control body jolts or sounds caused by fast, repetitive muscle movements or vocalizations. Most people may regard it as an unavoidable…
Are you searching for some funny school jokes for kids that could instantly crack them up? Well, then your quest for some good jest ends here. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, knowing some cool school jokes would surely help you lighten the atmosphere, help your kids have a good chuckle on dull or…
We have heard bedtime stories that parents tell for a good night's sleep. Similarly, introducing thankful bedtime prayers for children can also help them sleep peacefully. If you are religious and want to inculcate the habit of praying in your children, then reciting these simple prayers before bed can be a good start. These allow…
A scavenger hunt for kids is a kid-friendly search activity where the hunt organizer prepares a list with hints about specific items, and the participants work to seek and gather them. You can play indoors or outdoors. These scavenger hunts allow your children to stay on their toes and not stare at the screen all…
Disrespect kids’ quotes talk about disrespect towards a person or the lack of basic courtesy and manners. When a child is unruly and disrespectful to others, parents are often held responsible for the situation. As a parent, ensure to teach your child about the consequences of disrespecting their elders or anyone irrespective of age. To…
Parents may consider giving their teenagers mobile phones for security purposes. However, the possible misuse and other side effects of mobile phones on teenagers are not unknown. While it does serve the purpose of being aware of your child’s whereabouts, it is important to consider the adverse effects and health risks of mobile phones on…
As kids, we have all had our share of games involving different role play, such as being a cook, a dog walker, a homemaker, or a baby. Here, we have listed some interesting role play ideas for kids that you can suggest if they have run out of ideas or are bored with the ones…
Solitary play or independent play is when the child plays by themselves for short periods. Learning to entertain themselves and playing alone is a significant milestone for infants. However, it may overwhelm the parents to see their child playing alone. Dr. Mildred Parten Newhall, a sociologist, studied the behavioral development in the age group two…
Children are restless and spend all their day engaging in various activities, including playing, studying, watching movies, or just being hooked on their screens. Hence, teaching time management for kids is essential. It is a useful skill that can benefit you in a big way, and it is better to learn early in life. Learning…
Positive self-talk for kids does not imply teaching them to suppress their negative emotions and always think positively but encouraging them to believe they can overcome difficulties. Alternatively, constantly suppressing negative emotions is called toxic positivity, which is harmful in the long run (1). Self-talk refers to talking to oneself. All individuals engage in self-talk…
Maintaining the greenery of the planet and reducing carbon footprint is our responsibility. CompostingiXA process of recycling organic materials into nutrient-rich soil through natural decomposition. for kids and learning more about the environment from a young age can make them responsible citizens. Composting can be a fun, productive family activity if everyone gets involved. They…
Children can stay engaged with various types of play, stimulating their brain development and skills. The preference may vary for each child, but when it comes to a fun activity and play, they are ready to explore and experience. Play can be any organized or unorganized activityiXUnstructured or unplanned activity that allows a child to…
Weaving project ideas for kids are beneficial in developing their motor and cognitive skillsiXThe ability of the brain that helps one obtain, process, store, and use information correctly. . They help children stay engaged and entertained for long. Weaving enhances their imagination, improves concentration, and unleashes creativity. Moreover, weaving projects look cute and colorful. So,…
Aggression is any behavior intended to hurt others physically (by hitting or pushing) or verbally (through name-calling) (1). Aggression in kids is common and is a part of normal development. It is a way they show their anger or displeasure with a person/event. Several underlying factors such as displeasing life events, mental health issues, or…
In their own way, every child is unique and special. However, some may require extra help to navigate their everyday activities. Parenting children with special needs may require extra effort as they need help to tide over a medical condition, a pre-existing disease or syndrome, a learning disability, or an emotional issue. Compared to children…
If you and your partner are of differing races, your children will be termed, biracial children. According to a United States Census Bureau survey, 3.0% of children are biracial or from two or more races. While you might be thinking about what difference it makes, it is shown that biracial children experience unique challenges, like…
Most scared kids feel like their parents’ arms are the safest place. When parents hug their children, it provides them reassurance and the sense of security they crave. However, children need to learn to deal with their fears, be it the fear of scary monsters, the dark, or going to school, to develop their personality.…
Children experience emotional outbursts and impulsiveness occasionally. But if that happens too often, it may be due to a borderline personality disorder (BPD). Borderline personality disorder in children is a mental health problem characterized by extreme emotions, impulsive behavior, emotional dysregulation, and severe problems with self-worth, which makes maintaining long, stable, and strong relations with…
Most parents strive to make their children the best version of themselves. In this quest, they try to imbibe several character traits for kids that could help them transform into better individuals. If you are a parent, all you wish for your child is to be happy, successful, and praised for being well-behaved all the…
Have you heard about the oldest child syndrome? According to Alfred Adler\'s Birth Order Theory, one’s personality and who one becomes as an individual is influenced by the order they come in the family (1). Although the theory has been challenged repeatedly, a few characteristics stated for oldest, middle, and youngest children remain consistent, and…
The significance of discipline for teenagers is high because they are at an age when they can either embark on a commendable life journey or lose their way. As parents, you have to guide them and help them be the best versions of themselves. That said, different parents define discipline differently. For some parents, it…
Knowing how to stop kids from hitting, biting, or kicking their peers and others helps the parents control this unwanted behavior early. Unfortunately, hitting others is a common unpleasant behavior found in various stages of childhood, and many children may continue it even though parents discipline them. However, pediatric psychologists advise parents to keep calm…
Teenage is a confusing age where children experience a glimpse of adulthood and the perks and freedom that may come along. With changes in their hormones and other exposure, some children begin to develop a negative attitude towards their elders. At his juncture, many parents may wonder how to deal with teenage attitudes. They may…
Raising high needs babies can be challenging since they constantly require attention and easily get agitated when they are left to entertain themselves. Every baby’s personality is different; some tend to stay calm if their needs are met, while others remain dissatisfied and restless. Persistent display of fussiness and restlessness often indicates a high need…
One-year-olds are too young to self-regulate emotions or express themselves appropriately. They understand the idea of rules, but they can’t resist acting impulsively, which can sometimes be harmful. Thus, parents should know how to discipline a 1-year-old using positive discipline strategies that promote healthy child development. Positive discipline teaches a toddler about acceptable behavior in…
Insomnia is a term used to describe a sleep disorder in which a person finds it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Childhood insomnia may develop during infancy and, in some cases, may continue through adolescence. Children with insomnia have persistent trouble falling asleep, lack restorative sleep, or wake up too early and may not…
Aspergers in teenagers might affect their quality of life, including social and interpersonal skills. Asperger’s syndrome or Asperger’s disorder belongs to the group of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacts roughly 2.8% of 8-year-old children, affecting approximately one in every 36 kids.…
Social referencing is a phenomenon when babies and young children learn to respond according to their parents' expressions and those around them. But what is the significance of "social referencing in a child's development?" and how does it help your little ones develop emotions? Knowing all of this is crucial to understanding the importance of…
Children love jokes and adventures. Combining the best of both worlds can guarantee laughter and giggles for your little ones. We bring you some funny pirate jokes for kids that can leave them in splits. Pirate humor is unique and is a great source of entertainment. Pirate puns are known for their unforeseen twists and…
Many parents do everything in their power to instill societal conventions in their children. They even buy books about moral principles and show them movies on life lessons. Yet, despite their efforts, they may struggle with dealing with a disrespectful child. Various factors may cause children to act out and behave disrespectfully. You may even…
Friendship serves as a critical foundation in a child’s life. Good friends grow together, and if their bond remains intact, they stay together from the cradle to the grave. Share some beautiful quotes about friendship for kids and let them know the importance of this bond that stays for a lifetime. Make them understand that…
A regular conversation with your children could help you know what is going on in their lives. But, if you like to dig deeper, you may attempt a playful way and ask them some get-to-know-you questions for kids. These questions may help you engage in some profound conversations with your child, encouraging them to converse…
Every child should have a sufficient sleep as per their age. But, many children have difficulty falling and staying asleep throughout the night. Sleep meditation for kids is one technique that might provide relaxation to the child so that they have an undisturbed, peaceful night\'s sleep. Sleep meditation can help manage overstimulation. Overstimulation before bedtime…
Now that you are reaching the first birthday of your baby, it’s time to child-proof your home. It may get difficult for you to keep an eye over him at all times, and these learning activities for 11-month-old babies may come in handy to keep them engaged. However, you need to ensure he is safe.…