MSc (Counseling Psychology)
Apoorva is a certified psychological counselor and NLP practitioner. The assistant professor-turned-writer believes that her experience as a teacher, psychologist, and researcher enables her to guide MomJunction readers on child development and mental health. Apoorva did her post-graduation in Counseling Psychology from Madras School of Social Work, India. She also holds certifications in Psychological Counselling and Therapeutic Techniques and as Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Trainer. Clinical internships during graduation exposed her to life skills training, counseling, and writing research-backed articles. After her post-graduation, Apoorva authored chapters in books, both online and in print. During her free-time, Apoorva likes traveling, listening to music, trying out new recipes, blogging, drawing, and reading novels.
MomJunction has a strong editorial policy in place, and the team abides by its guidelines. We work toward providing the most reliable information to the reader and help them with a solution that is reliable. Our posts are authentic, and are not biased or influenced. Know more about our editorial policy.
Intellectual development in children cannot be measured like their physical development using physical measures. However, it is important to understand what intellectual development is to track it in children. Intellectual development refers to a child’s ability to think and process reasonably. They exhibit a sense of curiosity that drives them to question the world around […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Yelling at kids can be as harmful as hitting them since yelling with verbal put-downs or insults qualify as emotional abuse. An even-tempered parent may sigh and feel angry in situations when you come from work and see your child’s mess — toys all over, overflowing sink, or paints or stains on carpets, walls, or […]
Children’s tantrums and anger fits are part and parcel of their lives for parents. But dealing with rebellious kids can be one of the most stressful routines. In addition, as your child is growing, they will go through different stages of development and experience various emotional, intellectual, and physical changes. While it may be rewarding […]
Watching a toddler refuse to follow orders and argue with adults can make parents self-doubt. But having a defiant or recalcitrant toddler doesn’t always mean you are raising your toddler wrong. Instead, it is these changes in toddlerhood that you need to understand. Toddlerhood is when a child experiences the charm of autonomy for the […]
Curiosity in children is a common trait. Watching how their eyes sparkle when you show or tell them something new is a treat. And while their questioning, eagerness to learn, and knowing every answer might irk you at times, their childlike curiosity works wonders for the little ones. A child with natural curiosity will constantly […]
Psychopathy is a disorder that is considered a type of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 20% of children encounter a mental disorder within a given year, and psychopathy is one such disorder. It is characterized by a deficiency of emotional responses, poor social skills, […]
“Hugs can do great amounts of good — especially for children.” —Princess Diana A hug holds a secret weapon. It has the power to calm a person and is an excellent means to show love and affection. Several studies have proven that children showered with tender forms of affection or appreciation, such as a hug, […]
Pushing a friend because they took a bite from their food bowl, hitting someone because they touched their toys, biting someone because they did not know how to vent their anger— are common among young children. Self-control for kids is an essential part of development. Children do not develop self-control until they reach three to […]
Raising an only child is sometimes a conscious decision several parents take. However, studies also suggest a rise in single-child families due to monetary problems, a rise in divorce rates, and personal reasons (1) (2). Many parents have concerns about their single child growing up lonely or spoiled. Also, many negative stereotypes or misconceptions surround […]
Many parents, teachers, and caregivers struggle with figuring out how to deal with spoiled kids. To keep their children happy, some parents satisfy all their kids’ demands and give them many privileges. However, too much leniency can spoil your child, making them aggressive and stubborn. The term “spoiled child” refers to an immature, self-centered, ill-mannered […]
Autism spectrum disorder(ASD) in children is a collection of neurodevelopmental disorders or conditions in which a child cannot respond to certain social situations appropriately. As a result, it may be difficult for a child with ASD to learn skills required for everyday functioning that might eventually affect their behavior, communication, and the ability to understand […]
A child biting someone could be a typical stage of development as they cannot express their actions or feelings through words. However, biting can result in severe physical harm to the bitten person. It also leads to strained relationships and upsets other children, parents, and adults. Therefore, it is important to address biting in young […]
While the arrival of a baby is a considerably happy affair, some new mothers may exhibit signs of restlessness, frustration, and emotional withdrawal toward the little one. These signs could likely indicate postpartum depression, affecting the parents and the baby, unless appropriately addressed. Although it is not uncommon for mothers to experience mood changes after […]
Pregnant women attend several prenatal classes to learn about safe childbirth practices, alternative pain relief methods, and various labor techniques. HypnoBirthing is one such method that’s gaining popularity worldwide. According to experts, this childbirth approach aims to prepare expecting mothers for the birthing process by teaching specific techniques that help them manage stress, anxiety, fear, […]
Curious behaviors begin as soon as your child learns to explore the world around them. While some of these behaviors may be completely harmless, others can put the parents on edge, accentuating the need for toddler discipline. With increasing milestones, curious child behaviors also include disarrayed emotional expressions, often presented as tantrums. However, parents can […]
Have you ever wondered why details seem to be slipping your mind since your pregnancy? While pregnancy is known to cause a slew of changes of both physiological and psychological nature, a marked alteration may also occur in memory. This change, known as the ‘pregnancy brain,’ is associated with the inability to carry out your […]
As a parent, you may have contemplated the origin of the subtle differences between your child and their siblings or peers. These unique traits emerge from child temperament and are likely to form the building blocks of their personality as they shape the child’s regulation and reactivity. While disposition in children can be classified into […]