Whether your child is starting school for the very first time or your young adult is packing for university, transitions can be an emotional rollercoaster—for them and for you. The start of something new brings excitement, but also a fair share of anxiety. It’s completely normal to feel a little (or a lot) unsettled duringContinue reading “New Beginnings: Supporting Your Child Through School and University Transitions”
Category Archives: Special Educational Needs
The Soothing Power of Sensation: Why Early Sensory Experiences Matter for Babies’ Development
When you watch a baby reach for the grass beneath them, wiggle their toes in soft sand, or splash joyfully in water, you’re witnessing something profound. These simple, natural moments aren’t just adorable—they are crucial developmental experiences. As a psychologist who works with early childhood development, I often speak with parents and early years practitionersContinue reading “The Soothing Power of Sensation: Why Early Sensory Experiences Matter for Babies’ Development”
🎵 Music and Emotions: Supporting Preschool Children’s Wellbeing through Sound and Song
In the hum and bustle of early childhood, big emotions often arrive without warning — frustration, joy, fear, sadness, or sheer excitement. For preschool children, who are still developing the language and cognitive tools to express and regulate these feelings, the journey through emotional awareness can be overwhelming. But one powerful, nurturing tool can helpContinue reading “🎵 Music and Emotions: Supporting Preschool Children’s Wellbeing through Sound and Song”
The Different Pathways to a Life Well Lived
As exam season begins, there’s a particular kind of pressure that settles in the air — unspoken but heavy. The Leaving Cert, A-levels, finals… whatever the name, the message often feels the same: This is it. Your future starts (or ends) here. But I want to offer another truth, one that might sit more gentlyContinue reading “The Different Pathways to a Life Well Lived”
Learning Theory and Early Childhood Development: A Critical Analysis of Practice
The early years of life represent a critical developmental window, where the foundations for future learning, behaviour, and well-being are established. Early childhood education (ECE) must therefore be underpinned by theoretical knowledge that informs pedagogical decision-making and supports educators in meeting complex developmental needs. However, the use of theory in practice is not a matterContinue reading “Learning Theory and Early Childhood Development: A Critical Analysis of Practice”
The Power of Music: A Psychologist’s Reflection on Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Emotional Regulation
Introduction Over the years, I have worked with children, young people, and adults struggling with emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, and sensory processing challenges. Many of them—particularly those with autism, ADHD, or other Special Educational Needs (SEN)—have faced significant barriers to self-expression, connection, and self-soothing. Yet time and again, I have witnessed how music reaches themContinue reading “The Power of Music: A Psychologist’s Reflection on Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Emotional Regulation”
“Endless Possibilities: Reflecting on Support for Children with Down Syndrome and Their Families”
Every year, World Down Syndrome Day serves as a reminder of the beauty of diversity and the profound value of inclusion. As a psychologist, I find this day offers an important moment to pause and reflect on the incredible resilience of children with Down syndrome and their families — and the power of meaningful supportContinue reading ““Endless Possibilities: Reflecting on Support for Children with Down Syndrome and Their Families””
Dr M’s thoughts 