Applied Psychology Program
Katherine Paxton is an internationally-known award winning author of the book “Counselling people on the autism spectrum; A practical manual”. She graduated from a tri-university Applied Psychology Program of Campus Alberta (University of Alberta, Athabaska University, and University of Lethbridge). Katherine has supported people with diverse abilities for over a quarter of a century, including 15 years as a counselor specializing in working with people on the autism spectrum and their families. Katherine has authored curriculum for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and has provided mentorship through the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina. Katherine provides mental health support for employees and participants of Focus Ability Community Contribution Company, and employer who trains and supports individuals with diverse needs. She is their Mental Health Director.
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Clapping hands is an achievement many parents look forward to in their babies. You may wonder when do babies clap their hands and how you may promote it. Clapping is one of the various infantile developmental milestones, which can be stimulated with the right amount of interaction and encouragement. Once a baby begins to clap,…
Intellectual disability in children, previously known as mental retardation, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs due to problems in the brain’s growth and development. The condition causes significantly low intellectual functioning in children and affects their adaptive skills (those required to carry out daily tasks). Children with an intelligence quotient (IQ) below 70 are considered…
Being a teenager is a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges. As a parent, offering your teenagers valuable tips and positive reinforcement could help them develop into responsible and strong individuals. If you continue to handle their problems the way you did during childhood, they may not learn to overcome challenging situations. Alternatively, some may not…
Building castles and houses are without a doubt one of the favorite activities of children. So, these fort ideas for kids can be a great motivation for their impressive imaginations and limitless energy. Children portray their fantasy through their creativity. For example, they build their castles and forts as a haven for them to relax.…
If your child’s birthday is around the corner, or you feel like having a little get-together for them, you may host a tea party. It might sound unusual, but tea party ideas for kids are trending. They enjoy munching on snacks and cookies while sipping on their favorite sweet drinks. Also, they like to talk…
Children learn more by observing parents than by listening to what they are taught. If there are habits parents should teach their children, it is imperative that they follow them too. It’s vital that you practice what you preach, or your kids will have a hard time trying to emulate good habits. If your child…
Parents’ love for their children is unconditional and selfless. No matter what you do, you will never be able to pay back for what your parents have done for you. Writing poems about parents or dedicating one to them can be the most special way of expressing your love for them. However, when your heart…
Does your little one enjoy bedtime stories? Do you often read out loud to your kid or has your kid started reading himself? Have you introduced your kid to different classic tales of your childhood? Reading short stories together is a great way to help your kid expand his vocabulary and improve your kid’s listening…
As children reach their teenage years, you may find it difficult to handle them because their thoughts and behavior patterns change drastically. Some children may also become narcissistic teenagers who are self-absorbed. These children are more likely to be unaware of others’ emotions and expect people to praise them. Often, narcissism is a temporary behavioral…
Dice games for kids help them hone their counting skills and keep them entertained at home when they cannot play outdoors. Dice games have been played for centuries for ease and fun, and they need minimum equipment such as paper, pencil, and dice. These can be a good replacement to screen time as well. Also,…
If your child is an animal enthusiast, they must also enjoy animal-themed movies. Aside from the well-known dog and cat films, there are a plethora of horse movies for kids out • Binge on these horse movies with your little ones at home as they are as informative as any book based on horses. •…
Your Valentine doesn’t need to be a sweetheart or a crush. Children share a close bond with their parents, grandparents, siblings, or best friends, and they can be their valentines too. Some thoughtful Valentine’s Day poems for kids can come in handy when trying to express their love for their close ones. Brooke Powers, a…
Earth day is observed on April 22 every year and involves joint efforts of adults and children alike towards making a better future for us. Earth day activities for kids include power and water conservation, discussion on recycling, and ways to help them reduce carbon footprintsiXAmount of carbon emissions generated by a person or organization.…
An out-of-control teenager may have emotional, behavioral, and learning issues that become more intense over time. Most troubled teens have a high probability of engaging in risky behaviors such as being in bad peer groups and using drugs or alcohol. Although most of them may experience behavioral changes and mood swings due to puberty, these…
Basketball is an engaging and energetic sport that requires excellent ball skills and hand-eye coordination. You can spark your children’s interest in outdoor play with different basketball games for kids and make it more enjoyable for them. The games ensure overall development in children and are a great way to teach them about discipline and…
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. As a part of the nervous system, the brain manages and coordinates all important bodily functions. Learning about the parts of the brain and their functions can be intriguing for children. The brain controls senses, motor skills, emotions, thoughts, respiration, memory, hunger, and body…
Teen volunteer opportunities are the best way to imbibe the values of empathy and responsibility in them. Moreover, witnessing these enriching experiences at a tender age inspires them to continue doing it even as adults. Teenagers are not only creative, but they welcome ideas and suggestions as they are open-minded. In today’s world, where everybody…
Birds fascinate children and arouse their curiosity. If your child seems to have taken a liking for these feathered friends, you can help them know more about birds by engaging them in different bird crafts for kids. Birds have many unique characteristics: They are delicate yet strong enough to fly high, independent yet quite social,…
Science is a subject that fascinates everyone, especially children. Since they also love playing with water, you can introduce them to some interesting water experiments for kids. This way, learning the subject will become all the more engaging. Experiments of science are interactive and educational and provide a great way to learn different phenomena. They…
Games that involve clapping in different sequences while singing silly yet sweet songs are popular among young children. While a great way to pass the time, such hand-clapping games for kids also have proven benefits. Reportedly, hand-clapping games can positively impact a child’s cognitive and socio-motor skills (1). Since these games are usually played in…
Cards games for kids can be a great way of entertaining them, be it any season — scorching heat, chilly winters, or a heavy downpour. Staying indoors can be boring for children, especially those who are more active than their peers. They might try to sneak out and play when they are bored. Parents constantly…
Memory games for kids are fun, engaging, and educational. You can incorporate memory games into your child’s everyday activities to blend learning and fun. These games do not need any special equipment. They help you tactfully teach the child how to accept and emerge through challenges. These games can be played during traveling, picnics, or…
One of the most effective ways for young children to gain knowledge and develop crucial abilities is through play. So, if you\'re in search of some fun and educational activities to do at home, word games for kids are the perfect option to keep your little one engaged. This game also makes learning at home…
A child can find a true companion in a pet. If you plan to identify the best pets for kids, reading this post can help you. Growing up with this non-human friend can effortlessly instill the virtues of love, compassion, and care in your child. Pets make children more responsible in their actions and empathetic…
Leadership qualities are important skills that uplift an individual's personal and professional life. If you want to promote this skill in your child, you may try engaging them in various leadership activities for kids. While some children have leadership traits early, others need to be inspired to attain them. If your child is of the…
It may be tough to ensure your children’s safety all of the time, especially when you cannot be with them constantly. Hence, giving them lessons on road safety for kids can be useful when they walk to school, take the bus, or go outside to play. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,…
Most parents worry because their children struggle to control aggression in adolescence. During teenage, children go through numerous physical, social, and emotional changes (1). These sudden changes create uncertainty and confusion in their young minds. As a result, they reevaluate their purpose and role in the family and society. If they do not find satisfactory…
Waste management is a major challenge that the world is currently dealing with. Understanding the concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle for kids is the first step toward successful waste management. Children such as toddlers and preteens should be taught the importance of protecting and conserving our resources. To keep our planet from becoming a…
Parental awareness of epilepsy and seizures in teenagers plays a crucial role in handling emergencies and sticking to long-term treatment plans. Abnormal electrical activity in the brain can trigger seizures. Physical or behavioral changes range from blinking eyes to vigorous muscular spasms and consciousness loss. Seizure symptoms and their severity may vary depending on the…
Every now and then we hear shocking and alarming news regarding teenage running away from homes. So why do teens run away? During the growing age, your teen might get involved with drugs, smoking, criminal activity, premarital sex and they think of running away. There are lots of reasons for which your teen feels disturbed…
Father-daughter activities are important to make their bond strong. It is the time to celebrate togetherness. As daughters grow older, they lose touch with their fathers due to multiple reasons, and to prevent this from happening, participating in activities together would be a great way to keep the bond intact. While some children are expressive…
Scorpions are fearsome creatures that resemble lobsters. These fierce predators with long pincers are found on all the continents except Antarctica. Read these engrossing scorpion facts for kids to know more about these intriguing arthropodsiXInvertebrate animals (including insects) with a rigid external skeleton, a segmented body, and jointed legs. . These facts share information about…
Children love playgrounds since they are great places for fun. Therefore, it is essential to learn about playground safety for kids before you let them run free. Of course, they will run here, hop there, and have several falls. Along with that come all the bruises, cuts, and small injuries. But, they all are a…
Mothers do so much for us that even if we spend a lifetime trying to look after them, we can not match up to what they have done for us. So birthday gifts for moms have got to be extra special to mark your love, gratitude, and respect towards her. To the one who shaped…
Nursery rhymes for babies act as the initial foundation for their mental and physical development in their formative years. Most of us grew up listening to the tales of Humpty Dumpty having a great fall, stars twinkling at night, and jack and jill going up a hill to fetch water. It was fun, entertaining, and…
Getting a nanny for your little one is a decision that requires a lot of research, and nanny interview questions play a vital role in the hiring process. There could be scenarios when you may have to leave the baby alone. You may consider a reliable nanny to look after the baby in such situations.…
Mind–body techniques could help kids manage stress and help them regulate their emotions. Certain relaxation techniques are also used in the treatment of common health problems such as pain, headache, and bedwetting (enuresis), and to overcome habits such as nail-biting and thumb-sucking (1). Most of these approaches require the participation of parents. You may use…