February 16, 2026 Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Keeping Children Motivated in School It’s not unusual for children to go through periods when they feel unmotivated in schools, especially during the cold winter months or when the next long break feels like a long time away. The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of resources for helping children to remain motivated in school. Learn More There are a variety of factors that could prevent children from being motivated in school – including everything from ADHD to anxiety or a learning disability. However, children without a diagnosis can also struggle to remain consistent. The Child Mind Institute’s resources cover what might be behind a child’s behavior, from boredom and frustration to social issues, and how to offer the right support. Struggling with a particular skill can be especially hard for children who are gifted in other areas. If a child appears to be losing steam in one area, acknowledge their efforts in a different area to help boost their confidence. Below is the list of the Child Mind Institute’s resources. How to Help Your Child Get Motivated in School Does Your Child Lack Motivation? Not All Attention Problems Are ADHD Learning Disabilities and Depression Twice-Exceptional Kids: Both Gifted and Challenged Does It Matter HOW I Praise My Child?
February 11, 2026 Thriving Kids Episode Covers How to Help Children Manage Stress Children face a number of situations that can be stressful, from school pressure and social dynamics to the big emotions they might have difficulty controlling. It’s natural that caregivers would want to help children to make their stress go away. However, it’s important for caregivers to teach children how to manage, rather than avoid, stress. Learn More In the latest episode of the Thriving Kids podcast, Dave Anderson, the Child Mind Institute’s senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education, joins Dylan Gee, PhD, a professor of psychology at Yale University, to discuss why learning to manage stres is an important emotional skill for children. The conversation also touches on why avoiding stress can make it worse over time and how children can learn to tolerate discomfort and recover from difficult moments. They also talk about what caregivers can do to support the process as well as how their staying calm and regulated can help a child feel safer, more supported, and better able to cope. Additionally, the Thriving Kids podcast provided some tips on how to support a child when they’re feeling stressed: Validate their emotions and let them know it’s normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes; using words like “frustrated,” “worried,” or “scared” can help them to identify and express their feelings. Show genuine interest in how the child is feeling and make sure you’re actively engaged in the conversation. Listen without judging or rushing to offer solutions. Your own emotional state can influence your child’s, so take time for self care and learn how to manage your own stress effectively. Help the child learn that stressful situations can have many interpretations, and challenge negative thoughts by gently guiding them towards more balanced perspectives. Help the child to learn to tolerate stress instead of trying to eliminate it by teaching them such coping strategies as deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or creative expression. For more information, listen to the latest Thriving Kids episode.
February 10, 2026 Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Children with Multiple Diagnoses It can be challenging for caregivers during the process of seeking a diagnosis for a child, but even more so if they learn the child is struggling with two – or more – mental health or learning disorders. Learn More The Child Mind Institute has put together a series of resources on what experts call co-occurring disorders. Having multiple disorders is not unusual: One study found that 40 percent of adolescents diagnosed with a mental health disorder met the criteria for another. Some of the most common combinations include autism and ADHD, anxiety and depression, ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and learning disorders together with anxiety or depression. Additionally, children with Tourette’s often have OCD or ADHD. The institute’s resources include a piece on co-occurring disorders that examines why they happen frequently and how they affect treatment. In some cases, two disorders are diagnosed together, but one is often identified later when treatment for the first doesn’t resolve some symptoms. Sometimes, a second disorder is developed as a result of a child’s struggles with the first – especially depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. In any of these cases, the conditions must be treated carefully for the child to thrive, as treatment for one could complicate the other, particularly if multiple medications are being used. Below is the list of the Child Mind Institute’s resources on co-occurring disorders. Kids with Multiple Diagnoses Learning Disabilities and Depression What are the Different Kinds of Anxiety? ADHD and Substance Abuse Do Kids with Tourette’s Usually Have Other Disorders Too? What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)? Kids and Multiple Medications
February 9, 2026 Thriving Kids Episode Focuses on Teaching Children How to Handle Disappointment In a culture that emphasizes achievement – and considers mistakes something to avoid at all costs – it is important for caregivers and educators to teach children how to tolerate disappointment. Learn More Failing at something is a core life skill and not a weakness. When failure feels unacceptable, children can become anxious, overly self-critical, or afraid to try new things and, in the process, become more vulnerable to burnout or emotional distress. Dave Anderson, the Child Mind Institute’s senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education, joins journalist Jennifer Wallace, author of “Never Enough” and “Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose,” in the latest episode of Thriving Kids to discuss this topic. They talk about how toxic achievement culture affects caregivers and children alike, and what it means to raise a child who feels like they matter for who they are – and not what they accomplish. The discussion covers: Why fear of failure fuels anxiety and burnout How caregivers can instill counter-culture messages about self-worth What children need from adults when they fall short Some tips provided by Thriving Kids on how to help children learn to fail and recover from setbacks include: Start with empathy; when children fail, resist the urge to immediately reassure them or fix the problem. Instead, acknowledge their feelings and recognize that they are in distress. Model how to handle mistakes; help the child understand that failure is a normal part of life and happens to everyone. Turn failure into a teachable moment. A setback can be an opportunity to build acceptance and problem-solving skills. Step back and allow failure. It can be painful to watch children struggle, but hovering or rescuing can prevent them from developing resilience. Know when extra support may help. If a child’s fear of failure is so intense that it interferes with their daily life, professional support from a therapist can help them practice tolerating disappointment in a structured way.
January 27, 2026 Child Mind Institute Provides Resources for Caregivers of a Bullied Child Bullying can be a hard situation for a child to handle, and a challenging one for a caregiver to navigate – especially if children do not want to talk about it. The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of resources for caregivers whose children are being bullied, but do not want to discuss it. Learn More There are a number of reasons why children might avoid telling adults that they are being bullied – they might be embarrassed about it or concerned that a caregiver might get involved and, in the process, make the situation worse. Among the Child Mind Institute’s resources are an article on what to do if a caregiver suspects that their child is being bullied – online or in person – but won’t admit it. The resources discuss how to coax children to talk about what is happening, coach them on how to handle bullies, and figure out if and when to get the school involved. There is an article on how to determine when ordinary teasing becomes bullying or what to do if a caregiver’s child is bullying others. The resources also include ways to support children who are struggling socially, which can make them vulnerable to bullying. Below are the Child Mind Institute’s resources: What to Do When Your Child is Being Bullied – and Won’t Talk About It How to Know If Your Child is Being Bullied How to Arm Your Child Against Bullying How to Help Kids Deal with Cyberbullying My Child is Bullying Others: What Should I Do? Kids Who Need a Little Help to Make Friends What is Social and Emotional Learning?
December 29, 2025 Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors in Children It is not uncommon for some children to take part in such nervous habits as pulling hair, biting nails and picking skin – but plucking hair to the point where there are bald spots or picking at skin until it bleeds can be signs of a disorder. In such cases, children might need treatment because they can’t control their actions. Learn More The Child Mind Institute has released a new series of resources on body-focused disorders – or what experts call body-focused repetitive behaviors. These can include trichotillomania (hair pulling) and excoriation (skin picking), which are related to obsessive compulsive disorder but don’t usually start until after puberty. Children often take part in such habits as a way to cope with anxiety or negative emotions. Pulling their hair or picking their skin might give a temporary sense of relief, which is why they continue to do it. Unlike other habits – such as cutting or self-injury – children who pick skin or pull hair are not deliberately trying to hurt themselves. Below are several articles from the Child Mind Institute on body-focused repetitive behaviors. What is Trichotillomania? What is Excoriation, or Skin Picking? Does My Baby Have Trichotillomania? Help for Cutting or Other Self-Injury Treatment for Hair Pulling, Skin Picking What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
December 16, 2025 Podcast Tackles How to Help Children Manage Their Big Emotions One of the biggest challenges – and most important skills to learn – for children is managing big emotions. If such feelings go unchecked, they can lead to struggles beyond the toddler years and caregivers being overwhelmed. Learn More A recent Thriving Kids podcast covered the topic of how to help children manage their emotions. Dave Anderson, senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education for the Child Mind Institute, joined Marc Brackett, PhD, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of “Dealing with Feeling,” to discuss the topic. The discussion covers why many children struggle to manage big feelings, how caregivers can shift from knowing to becoming “curious scientists,” and why focusing on positive emotions is just as important as managing difficult ones. The Child Mind Institute’s Family Resource Center provided some strategies touted by experts on how to help children build emotional self-regulation skills. These include: Start with labeling feelings – it’s easier for children to manage emotions when they can name them, such as “frustrated,” “sad,” “nervous,” or “excited. Model calm – children often mimic adults’ behavior; when a caregiver takes a breath and speaks gently in response to a challenging situation, it teaches them what self-regulation looks like Practice in slow-stakes moments – emotional self-regulation skills are built through repetition; try dry runs, such as practicing new skills during a quick errand if a child often has meltdowns as the store Coach children through tough situations – when it comes to tasks or situations that children find overwhelming, break them down into small steps, which gives them the framework to tackle challenging scenarios on their own Revisit challenges together – if a child has an outburst, return to it gently; children can learn to choose better ways to respond to a situation, but they need straightforward feedback. Talk about what went wrong and why – and how they can do better next time. Listen to the entire Thriving Kids podcast on YouTube.
November 17, 2025 Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Behavioral Issues for Children on Autism Spectrum Some children on the autism spectrum struggle with behavioral issues that caregivers can find challenging to manage. The Child Mind Institute has compiled a list of resources on how to address behavioral issues for children with autism. Learn More Behaviors described by the institute include young children wandering away from adult supervision or older youths going to extremes to avoid simple everyday tasks if they consider them to be demands. Some behavioral problems can put children in unsafe situations as well as disrupt their ability to function at school or connect with their families. Caregivers face their own challenges by trying to find ways to ensure that children remain safe, happy, and supported. The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of resources that focus on behavioral issues that are common in children with autism. Some focus on pathological demand avoidance (PDA) or setting up a behavior intervention plan, while others discuss ways to help children learn to communicate more effectively, rather than acting out. The institute’s list includes: Autism and Wandering Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Kids What is a Behavior Intervention Plan? Helping Kids with Autism Build Communication Skills Do Autism Behaviors Have Medical Causes? Autism and Medication Increasing Cooperation in Kids with Autism
September 1, 2025 Podcast Provides Tips for Building Up Children’s Self Esteem A recent Thriving Kids podcast covers the topic of how to build up children’s self esteem and includes tips on instilling confidence. Learn More In the latest Thriving Kids episode, psychologist Jennifer Louie, PhD, joined Dave Anderson, the Child Mind Institute’s senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education, to discuss how caregivers can support children in developing confidence. The discussion covered such topics as when children are self-critical, why praising effort matters more than praising talent, and how to help children feel capable even when they fail. Among the methods discussed on everyday ways to help nurture a child’s self esteem at home include: Show your child love every day – not just with words, but with your presence. Share your family’s values – kindness, respect, and courage – not as rules but as guiding principles for a strong character. Expose your child to a variety of activities – such as playing music, being active, or making art. Encourage your child to seek meaningful, but attainable, goals – and avoid challenges that are too easy and can lead to boredom as well as those too difficult that can make them discouraged. Focus on the effort and the journey, rather than praising a child’s natural abilities; instead, recognize the hard work, which highlights the value of dedication and improvement. Other tips for caregivers include modeling confidence in yourself even when you’re not feeling it, not getting upset about mistakes, praising perseverance, helping children find their passion, celebrating effort, expecting them to pitch in, and showing love, no matter what. The episode is available on the Child Mind Institute’s website.
August 13, 2025 Podcast Focuses on Helping Children to Build Healthy Friendships A recent episode of the Child Mind Institute’s Thriving Kids podcast focused on how caregivers can help children to build positive and healthy friendships. Learn More In the episode, podcast host Dave Anderson, PhD, who is the senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education for the Child Mind Institute, discussed the topic of helping children build healthy friendships with Mandi Silverman, PsyD, MBA. In the podcast, the two of them discuss how to support a child’s social development, whether they are in preschool or high school, and regardless of their nature – shy or socially successful. One way to do this is to help children to meet other children. Set up playdates for younger children for outings to playgrounds, museums, parks, libraries, or other places. For older children, encourage participation in teams, after-school clubs, or shared-interest activities. Caregivers should have open conversations about the traits their families value – such as kindness, honesty, or teamwork – and ask children what they believe makes someone a good friend. Using real-life examples to teach friend-making skills can be valuable. Caregivers can talk about their own friendships and how they treat people in their lives. It is also useful to teach children how to set healthy boundaries – in other words, helping them to learn to say “no” in respectful ways and to recognize when someone else is doing the same. Caregivers can also explain that different people have different needs and comfort levels. The podcast included eight tips to help children make and keep healthy friendships: Create and support a variety of opportunities for socialization and focus on a child’s interests and encourage activities where they can meet peers with similar interests. Create an open and ongoing conversation about healthy relationships and discuss what matters in a friend. Praise good friendship behaviors. When you see a child showing empathy or setting a boundary, show support for it. Model healthy relationships – in other words, let children see how you show up for the people in your life. Help children to set their own boundaries. Peer pressure starts at a young age. Teach children how to speak up and how to listen when others do. Practice at home by playing board games or doing chores together. This teaches collaboration, communication, and turn-taking. Work on problem-solving skills. Conflict is normal, so teach your child to consider others’ perspectives and work toward solutions. Be involved – but not too involved. Create opportunities and offer guidance, but give children space to navigate social situations on their own. For more information, listen to the Thriving Kids podcast.
