Skip to main content

Health articles

Vulnerable little girl
How to encourage independence in children
It can be hard to strike the balance between encouraging your children to be independent and at the same time offering them your advice and support. Penny Palmano takes a look at the how to walk the line.
Family cuddles
Tips for raising a positive child
Follow our expert advice and practical tips to nip negativity in the bud and allow positivity to flourish.
Mum telling daughter off
How to avoid losing it with your children
As parents we do not have an inexhaustible supply of energy and enthusiasm, so if the patience is running thin, fear not, help is at hand!
Mum hugging son
Relaxation techniques for parents
Finding time to relax when you’re a parent is hard work but taking time out will make you feel calmer and boost your parenting confidence, too.
image of mother and daughter looking happy
Help your child cope with divorce and separation
Parents breaking up is hard for the whole family. Try these tips to support your child through this difficult time of readjustment.
Children colouring in together
Children's playdate etiquette
Mummy blogger, A Modern Mother, shares her top tips for the perfect playdate for your child.
Smiling family
The importance of taking time to talk
Kids' coach Naomi Richards shares her advice for keeping the lines of communication open with your children.
Girl painting friend's toenails
Are girls growing up too fast?
A survey by the charity Children’s Society showed that children are most unhappy with their appearance, above confidence, school and family life. Could this be a result of pressure in the media to look older, skinnier and prettier? TheSchoolRun takes a look into the over-sexualisation of young girls.
Happy family
How to give your child the right kind of praise
We all love praise but some types are more effective than others. Jackie Cosh explains why.
Boy hiding behind his hands
Dealing with lies
White lies, black lies, big lies, small lies, tall tales, porkies, fibs... lies come in all sorts of shapes and guises and there are just as many reasons why children resort to them. Danielle Weekes investigates why children lie and whether dishonesty matters.
Little boy sulking
Teaching children good manners
Teaching children good manners and giving them plenty of positive encouragement can help children manage their behaviour. Read on to find out how.
Little boy pointing at nothing
Why it's okay for your child to have an imaginary friend
Children have imaginary friends at all ages and it doesn't mean that there is something wrong. In fact it can have some very positive benefits. Here’s how you can support your child's imagination.
Helping children cope with bereavement
How to help your child cope with bereavement
Everyone deals with grief and bereavement in their own personal way, whatever their age or personality. We offer some expert advice on supporting your child and helping them explore and express their grief.
How to raise a resilient child
How to raise a resilient child
Whether it’s failure to achieve a certain goal, being let down or simply failure to receive something we had our hearts set on, we all suffer knock-backs from time to time and that’s why teaching a child to be resilient is crucial.
Boy making fun of this brother
Coping with sibling rivalry
Expert Sue Atkins looks at the ways parents can approach their children's relationships, and what a family can do together to build a happy, respectful team.
Boy shouting
Temper tantrums explained
Tantrums are a part of everyday life for children and their parents, and it’s not just toddlers who are guilty of losing it from time to time. We look at ways to deal with the drama.
Upset girl at laptop
What is cyber-bullying?
Cyber-bullying is a fast growing phenomenon and can be an extension of bullying in school or can be carried out by complete strangers. We look into its various forms and how you can tackle it.
Little girl using laptop
How to deal with cyber-bullying
Cyber-bullying can be particularly distressing because victims feel the bullies have access to them at all times. We offer some practical ways you can protect your child.
Children pulling funny faces
Childhood friendships: should you intervene?
When your child falls out with a friend or seems unhappy with the social aspect of school, what can you do to help and how involved should you get? Danielle Weekes reports.
Girl pushing boy playfully
Is your child bullying?
Being told that your child is bullying is very difficult to come to terms with. We offer some expert advice and support on how to cope and help your child.
Boy scratching his head
Your headlice questions answered
Most families have some experience of head lice but do you understand how they spread and how to battle an infestation? Here’s everything you need to know.
Child having hair combed
Beating headlice: the facts and the fiction
Up to a quarter of UK schoolchildren may have headlice, and more than two-thirds have had nits at least once – so what can parents do to fight them off? We find out.
Boy being treated for headlice
Headlice myths busted
From playground gossip to ill-informed parents, there are a lot of false beliefs about headlice out there. It's time to set the record straight!
Mum looking for lice in daughter's hair
Heads up on headlice
Nurse Consultant Christine Brown shares her advice on how to get rid of headlice – and stop the little beasts coming back.
Sick child
Childhood meningitis – your need to know guide
We give you the lowdown on the disease and how you can recognise the signs to help protect your child’s health.
Children on swings
Child safety: stranger danger
Keeping children safe is our top priority as parents. But how do we strike a balance between protecting our little ones, and smothering them?
Leaving your child home alone in the UK
Leaving your child home alone: when is it safe?
At what age can your child safely be left at home while you go out? Read our advice on how to decide, with advice about the legalities in the UK.
Bucket and spade on the beach
Top tips for safety in the sun
When your child is out in the sunshine, in the UK or abroad, they need to be protected. Follow this advice to keep them safe.
Family in the park
Child safety while playing outdoors
Outdoors play is important for children’s development – and great fun. So how can we ensure they stay safe?
Girl on climbing frame
Child safety today
How has child safety changed over the years? Are there new risks? We take a look at today’s child safety issues and what you can do to protect your children.
Children crossing the road
How to teach children road safety
Making sure your child learns all about road safety from a young age is key to preventing accidents later on in life. Follow these tips on ways you can help your little ones learn the basics of staying safe on the road.
Bike bell
Safe cycling tips for kids
When your child is ready to cycle unsupervised, it’s important to make sure they know how to be safe on the roads. Here are the steps you need to take.
Family walking outdoors
Walking and orienteering for kids
Walking is something most of us take for granted. But did you know that regularly taking the kids on a walk has some great health and educational benefits? We take a look at what walking could offer your child.
Family relaxing in bed
Why relaxation is important for children
With so much going on in their lives, children need to find time to simply unwind, put their feet up, and have some all important 'me-time'. We take a look at the educational and psychological benefits of encouraging children to relax.
Children holding hands
Managing eczema at school
With one in five children suffering from eczema, we take a look at how to help your child manage their condition at school.
Walking on the school run with mother and sister
Walking the school run
Encouraging your child to take to their feet and walk to school has many health, social, and environmental benefits – for the whole family. Put your best foot forward and start the school day with a stroll today!
Tackling obesity through sport
Tackling childhood obesity through PE
Gaining a good, well-rounded physical education can benefit your child's health and weight for years to come. We take a look at how physical education can help the fight against childhood obesity.
Little boy in the bath
Personal hygiene learning for children
We take a look at some of the important issues surrounding personal hygiene and discover why a clean child is a happy child.
Overweight boy
Childhood obesity – what you need to know
In the UK today around one million children under 16 are obese according to the British Medical Association (BMA). Childhood obesity is now referred to as a 'time bomb', but what does this mean for the health of our children?
Children playing in the park
Recognising Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in children
All children have daily rituals and habits, but when they start to become stressful for the child it can be a sign that something isn't quite right. Here’s your guide to identifying OCD.