Resources
Finding the right information can be a helpful first step when things feel challenging.
Our resources are designed to provide parents, carers, children and young people with practical, easy-to-understand information about emotional wellbeing, anxiety, behaviour, self-esteem, school difficulties and other common challenges.
We hope these resources help you better understand what may be happening and offer ideas you can try in everyday life.
Please remember: These resources provide general information and are not a substitute for individual psychological assessment, diagnosis or treatment. If you have concerns about your child's wellbeing, please speak with your doctor or a mental health professional to discuss what support may be appropriate.
Resources
Big Emotions: Understanding What Your Child Is Trying to Tell You
Every child experiences big emotions. They may cry, yell, withdraw, become frustrated or struggle to calm down when something feels overwhelming.
For parents, these moments can be exhausting and confusing. But behind a big reaction is often a child experiencing a feeling that feels very big to them.
Big emotions are not bad emotions
Anger, sadness, fear, frustration and disappointment are all part of growing up. The goal isn't to stop children from having these feelings, but to help them gradually learn how to understand and manage them.
Emotional regulation is a skill that develops over time. Children learn it through connection, modelling, practice and support.
What can parents do?
When emotions are running high, try to focus less on stopping the feeling and more on helping your child move through it.
Stay calm and connect: “I can see this is really hard right now. I'm here with you.”
Keep it simple: When a child is overwhelmed, lengthy explanations may not help. Give them time and space to settle.
Name the feeling: “You seem really disappointed that we have to leave.” Helping children find words for their emotions builds emotional awareness.
Hold boundaries with empathy: “It's okay to be angry. It's not okay to hit.” All feelings are okay, but not all behaviours are safe.
Talk afterwards: Once your child is calm, gently explore what happened and what might help next time.
A message for parents
Big emotions can be difficult for parents too. You don't have to respond perfectly every time.
What matters is helping your child learn that their feelings can be understood and that they don't have to navigate difficult moments alone.
“Your feelings are not too much for me. We can work through this together.”
Big emotions are a normal part of childhood. With understanding, connection and the right support, children can develop the skills they need to navigate their emotions with greater confidence.
Helpful resource for parents
Understanding and managing emotions: children and teenagers https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/development/preschoolers-social-emotional-development/understanding-managing-emotions-children-teenagers
Building Resilience: Helping Children Grow Through Life’s Challenges
Resilience is often described as the ability to bounce back from difficult experiences. But for children, it can be much more than that.
It is the confidence that develops when a child begins to think, “I can give this a try,” “I can learn from what happened,” or “I can ask for help when I need it.”
Resilience grows in everyday life
Children don't need big challenges to develop resilience. Everyday experiences can provide opportunities to build it.
Let them take the lead: Give children age-appropriate responsibilities and choices so they can experience the satisfaction of doing something for themselves.
Let mistakes be part of learning: Instead of quickly stepping in, help your child reflect on what happened and what they might do differently next time.
Encourage a “yet” mindset: “You can't do it yet” can be a powerful reminder that skills develop with practice.
Notice their strengths: Point out qualities such as persistence, curiosity, kindness and creativity — not just achievements.
Be there without taking over: Children benefit from knowing that support is available while still having opportunities to discover their own capabilities.
A message for parents
Resilience isn't about preparing children to handle everything alone. It is about helping them develop a sense of “I can face challenges, and I don't have to do it alone.”
Sometimes the small moments — trying again after a mistake, solving a problem independently, or asking for help — are the moments where resilience quietly grows.
Helpful resource for parents
For more practical ideas about building resilience, you may find this Raising Children Network article helpful:
Building resilience in children 3–8 years https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/behaviour/understanding-behaviour/resilience-how-to-build-it-in-children-3-8-years