December 15, 2025 Education Organization Compiles Experts’ Advice on How to Talk to Children About Race and Racism Talking about race or situations involving racism or discrimination can be challenging for caregivers and children, so The Hechinger Report has compiled experts’ advice on the topic in a new article. Learn More The Hechinger Report – an organization that covers inequality and innovation in education – has put together an article filled with experts’ advice on how to answer children’s questions about the mistreatment of communities of color by police, white privilege, racism, and other topics. The article cites a caregiver who had texted its author, Jackie Mader, in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020. The caregiver’s twins understood racism but not why people categorize others by race. The article noted that research shows it is critical to have such discussions with children because, by kindergarten, children express many of the same racial stereotypes as adults. By talking about race, racism, and differences, parents and teachers can intercept harmful stereotypes and normalize differences. Experts cited in the article noted that parents should start introducing children at an early age to different races and cultures through books and toys that have diverse characters. Kenya Hameed, a clinical neuropsychologist with New York City’s Learning and Development at the Child Mind Institute, said that age 4 is a good time to start having those discussions. Mercedes Samudio, a licensed clinical social worker, said that caregivers should take time to face their own biases and learn as much as they can about race and racism before talking to their own children. “A lot of parents are being forced into this space because of the world and the way things are going,” Samudio said. “So, before parents jump in and answer questions, it’s OK to say, ‘You know, I need to do more reading on this and figure it out and we can talk tomorrow.’” To read about more topics addressed by experts on the topics of race and racism, check out The Hechinger Report’s article.
December 8, 2025 List Features Best Books for Children That Tackle Mental Health Books can be a great method of helping children to cope with such issues as ADHD, anxiety, the loss of a loved one, or regulating their emotions. The Child Mind Institute has compiled a list of 2025 books that tackle the topic of mental health and included other resources. Learn More Stories that address mental health topics for children are becoming more prevalent. Among the Child Mind Institute’s selections are picture books for young children and graphic novels and YA books for tweens and teens. Topics include everything from teaching children how to read – including those with dyslexia – as well as how to help preschoolers learn mental health skills. The Child Mind Institute’s list of resources include: The Best Kids’ Books About Mental Health of 2025 The Best Kids’ Books of 2024 77 Children’s Books About Mental Health How Kids Learn to Read How to Teach Kids with Dyslexia to Read Why Is It Important to Read to Your Child? Helping Preschoolers Learn Mental Health Skills
November 4, 2025 Child Mind Institute Resources Aim to Focus NVLD’s Visual-Spatial Problems There are many misconceptions about nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD), from the fact that those with it might be highly verbal to the fact that the disorder is not in the DSM-5, the official guide to mental health disorders. Learn More The Child Mind Institute has released a series of resources from nonverbal learning disorder experts who have worked to sharpen the focus on the visual-spatial problems at the core of the disorder’s disparate symptoms. The experts have even proposed a new name: developmental visual-spatial disorder. In the series of resources, the institute explains the new definition and criteria for a developmental visual-spatial disorder diagnosis. There are also articles on how to help children with the disorder. Another resource focuses on why children with learning disabilities have social challenges, while another discusses how to boost their executive functioning skills. There is also a piece on the importance of keeping an eye on the emotional well-being of a child with the disorder. Below are the Child Mind Institute’s resources: A New Take on Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) Quick Guide to Nonverbal Learning Disorder How Can We Help Kids with Nonverbal Learning Disorder Social Challenges of Kids with Learning Problems Helping Kids Who Struggle with Executive Functions Supporting the Emotional Needs of Kids with Learning Disabilities Occupational Therapists: What Do They Do?
October 14, 2025 Child Mind Institute Resources Aim to Help Adults Recognize Learning Disorders As the school year settles in, learning disorders often become more pronounced as students begin to settle into class routines. Some children may struggle with reading, while others might find it challenging to follow directions. Learn More The Child Mind Institute has released a new series of resources on how to recognize learning disorders in children. The resources include 32 one-page tip sheets for an overview of such learning disabilities as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and language disorder as well as how to support children with specific challenges. The institute wrote that while it’s important to provide academic support to children with difficulties, it’s just as important to support them emotionally because some children with learning disabilities might lack confidence. Practicing how to discuss a learning disorder, the institute notes, can help children to understand that it’s not something to be embarrassed about. As children get older, learning to talk about their challenges can help them to advocate for themselves. The Child Mind Institute’s resources include: Tips for Recognizing Learning Disorders in the Classroom Early Signs of Learning Challenges Supporting Kids with Learning Disorders How to Help Kids with a Learning Disorder Build Confidence How to Help Kids Talk About Learning Disabilities Learning Disabilities and Self-Advocacy “My Teacher Hates Me!”
September 29, 2025 Child Mind Institute Shares Resources on Hoarding and Messy Rooms Cleaning one’s room has become a rite of passage for many children, while staying on top of children to clean their rooms is a tradition among many caregivers. It’s a scenario that most involved do not enjoy. Learn More But while caregivers might believe that a child’s failing to clean their room after being asked multiple times to be a sign of defiance, a cluttered room could also result from hoarding. According to the Child Mind Institute, children who hoard get emotionally attached to objects – occasionally even ones that might seem like trash, such as used pizza boxes, clothing tags, or rocks. In these cases, the child might get upset if someone tries to clean it up. In a series of new resources, the Child Mind Institute dives into the topic of hoarding and how it differs from other concerns – such as the chaotic room of a child with ADHD or a teen who hides food. Hoarding is related to OCDE, but children who hoard don’t collect items to relieve anxiety. Instead, anxiety might come when they are forced to get rid of things. The Child Mind Institute writes that the treatment for hoarding is exposure therapy, where children who hoard handle the discomfort that comes from discarding items. Some children might resist getting treatment, while others might feel ashamed about hoarding. Among the Child Mind Institute’s resources is an article on how to handle embarrassment and support children as they take steps to be more flexible. Here are the Child Mind Institute’s resources on hoarding: Hoarding in Children Why Your Child with ADHD Has Such a Messy Room My 15-Year-Old Daughter Hides Food Around Her Room. Is She a Hoarder? What Does OCD Look Like in Children? What is the Best Treatment for OCD? How Can I Get My Daughter to Stop Hoarding? How to Help Kids Deal with Embarrassment
September 10, 2025 Child Mind Institute Offers Resources for Suicide Prevention Month To honor Suicide Prevention Month in September, the Child Mind Institute has released a list of resources for caregivers to combat the scourge. Learn More Suicidal feelings or attempts in children can leave adults feeling helpless and struggling to figure out the cause of distress. But there are services and treatments available for people of all ages who are experiencing suicidal behavior. Among the Child Mind Institute’s resources is a piece on cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (CBT-SP), which helps children and teens recognize and change the thoughts that drive suicidal behavior and learn tools to cope with painful feelings. There are also resources on how to create a safety plan so children know what to do if such thoughts emerge as well as guidance on how to notice signs that a child might be suicidal. Below are the Child Mind Institute’s resources: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP) Reducing a Suicide Risk with Safety Plans Signs a Child Might Be Suicidal Teen Suicides: What Are the Warning Signs? What To Do If You’re Worried About Suicide What Are the Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers? Taking a Child to the Emergency Room
September 8, 2025 Resources for Caregivers Parenting Multiple Children with Mental Health Challenges Caregivers who take care of multiple children face the task of juggling many needs at once – and often at different maturity levels and schedules. But balancing the needs of multiple children can be even more challenging when more than one child struggles with mental health issues. Learn More The Child Mind Institute has compiled a list of resources to help caregivers meet these challenges, allowing them to take care of themselves while also giving each child the support they need. Among the resources are a list of common challenges faced by families when more than one child has a mental health issue as well as how to approach conflict between siblings with different needs. The resources include ways caregivers can prevent children from arguing and how to encourage connection. There is a discussion on how to navigate differing parenting styles while making sure children are properly supported. The Child Mind Institute also includes advice from siblings of children with mental health challenges on how caregivers can ensure that each child feels seen and heard. The resources also include guidance on how to avoid burnout. The Child Mind Institute’s resources on parenting multiple children with mental health challenges include: Parenting Multiple Kids with Mental Health Challenges How to Help Siblings Get Along Conflicts Over Parenting Styles Advice from Siblings of Kids with Mental Health Disorders Preventing Parent Burnout Supporting vs. Enabling
September 2, 2025 Back-to-School Resources for Children Who Are Struggling Starting back at school in the fall presents a number of challenges for young children – but especially those who are already struggling. The Child Mind Institute has provided a series of resources for children who might need a little extra help to achieve success. Learn More Children might experience anxiety as they start a new school year – especially if they are attending for the first time. But some students might need a little extra assistance as they navigate the challenges of school. Some students with selective mutism might speak comfortably at home but find it harder to interact at school. Other students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might need tools and strategies to stay organized, while others with sensory processing challenges may need help to stay comfortable and focused. Most children would benefit from a consistent schedule and homework routine, the Child Mind Institute noted. Here are some resources for back-to-school success for children who might be struggling: Selective Mutism and Starting Kindergarten Back-to-School Tips for Kids Who Are Struggling School Success Kit for Kids with ADHD School Success Kit for Kids with Sensory Processing Issues School Mornings Without the Stress Strategies to Make Homework Go More Smoothly
August 25, 2025 Child Mind Institute Provides Resources for Children Making School Transitions Children will head back to school in a few weeks, and some of them will do so for the first time. The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of resources for caregivers who have children who will make a big transition this fall by starting kindergarten, middle school, and high school. Learn More The transitions for students starting at these levels can involve new schools, new routines, and unfamiliar faces. As a result, both students and parents can be anxious about these transitions. The Child Mind Institute outlines the specific challenges of each transition and offers tips for how caregivers can help children navigate changes. For children starting kindergarten, the resources emphasize the importance of building independence such as using the bathroom solo or opening snacks. It also provides strategies that children can use to calm themselves down when they are nervous. For middle school, the Child Mind Institute’s resources discuss how to handle an increased workload as well as social and emotional challenges that come with puberty. And for high school, the resources provide assistance with how to help build time management and study skills as well as guidance on how to handle situations involving sex and substances. For all grades, the resources also emphasize the importance of getting enough sleep. The Child Mind Institute’s resources include: Starting Elementary School Starting Middle School Starting High School Back-to-School Anxiety How to Work Well with Your Child’s Teacher Back-to-School Dos and Dont’s
August 12, 2025 Child Mind Institute Provides Resources to Prepare Students for College The Child Mind Institute has shared a list of resources for caregivers whose children are preparing to leave for college. Learn More Getting ready for college involves more than just buying the necessary clothing or dorm-room bedding, the Child Mind Institute writes. Students need to be prepared to get to class on time, get enough sleep, balance academics with social life, and learn to handle inevitable challenges on their own when they arise. The institute has put together a College Readiness Kit that identifies challenges that college students face, especially if they are spending their first year away from home. It also offers strategies for managing these challenges. The toolkit is designed for students to use before they leave for college. It covers everything from how to manage money in college as well as how to troubleshoot challenges such as difficulty getting along with a roommate or failing a midterm. It offers parents guidelines for playing a supporting role, such as how to help a student who is nervous about leaving home or how to support children with ADHD or a learning disorder. Here are the Child Mind Institute’s resources: How Do You Manage Your Money in College? You’re Having a Conflict with Your Roommate: What Should You Do? How to Support a Child Who is Nervous About Leaving Home What Parents of Students with ADHD or Learning Disorders Need to Know Before Their Kids Go to College Medication Management in College Procrastination and College Students Preparing for College Emotionally, Not Just Academically
