5 facts about Health that are often misunderstood

• The experience we have early in life are at least as important for the biological foundations of physical and mental health as the lifestyle choices we make as adults​

• Poor health outcomes are not inevitable after experiencing adversity early in life, but are more likely if we do not adequately support children and families experiences hardships or challenges

• When the developing brain and other biological systems adapt to what they experience in their environment, it may be positive in the short term but negative in the long term

• The body's stress response is the same, no matter what causes it, but a pile-up of stressors over time means there's less time for recovery

• All policies and delivery systems serving young children and families across sectors can support both early learning and the foundations of lifelong health

​​

Australian Children

Childhood is an important time for healthy development, learning, and establishing the foundations for future wellbeing. Most Australian children are healthy, safe and doing well. However, childhood is also a time of vulnerability and a child’s outcomes can vary depending on where they live and their family’s circumstances. This report brings together a range of data on children’s wellbeing and their experiences at home, school and in the community.

​

Brain Story Toolkit

The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative has a library of free resources for anyone to use and share. This is a selection of our most popular documents, videos, learning tools and more.

​

Effective Behaviour Management Strategies for Children aged 0 to 10 

This short article outlines the evidence on effective behaviour management strategies for children aged 0–10 years and how practitioners can support parents and families to use these strategies.

​

Working with Separating Parents to Support Children's Wellbeing

​

Families: Learning how to parent when you weren't parented well yourself

​

Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence

American Psychological Association has released new recommendations for Social Media use.  

​

Not all mental health apps are helpful. Experts explain the risks and how to choose wisely

There are thousands of mental health apps available on the app market, offering services including meditation, mood tracking and counselling, among others. You would think such “health” and “wellbeing” apps – which often present as solutions for conditions such as anxiety and sleeplessness – would have been rigorously tested and verified. But this isn’t necessarily the case.  In fact, many may be taking your money and data in return for a service that does nothing for your mental health – at least, not in a way that’s backed by scientific evidence.

​

Parenting, peer relationships and mental health in the middle years

This short article provides an overview of the research evidence on the association between parenting, peer relationships and mental health in the middle years (8 – 14 years).

​

Too much time on screens? Screen time effects and guidelines for children and young people

This short article provides an overview of the national guidelines for screen time, the effects of excessive screen time and how practitioners can support families to reduce screen time.

​

What works to improve young children’s social, emotional and behavioural wellbeing?

This rapid evidence review identifies national and international prevention and early intervention programs that are effective at improving the social, emotional and behavioural health of at-risk children under the age of five.

​

The Child Trauma Academy YouTube Channel

Content relating to child development, the brain and child trauma to better understand and help children and their families