welcome image

Children fare better when expectations on them are clear and firm.

Parents are the external regulator for kids who cannot regulate themselves.

The challenge of adolescence is to balance the right of the parents to feel they are in charge with the need of the adolescent to gain independence.

"The thing that impresses me most about North America is the way parents obey their children"    (King Edward VII , 1841-1910)

If you (parents) tend to overreact to your child's misbehaviour - your child learns that he can't trust you. Mom, Dad, stay regulated!

Parenting style matters - a lot!

Criticism is not a motivator.

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

Don't wait for him to turn 10 before you reveal that you are not in fact the hired help whose job it is to clean up after him.

Whining and crying are employed by kids for the purpose of getting something. If it works, then it was worth the effort and will be repeated.

Learn more.

Reading Problems

 

Reading Problems

Dyslexia ( a reading/spelling disorder) affects nearly 8% of elementary school children and it can make school torturous. The best way to improve reading skills is by reading but finding books that interest children with dyslexia is no easy feat.

The following books are great for encouraging less than keen readers because they are funny, surprising and exciting.

  1. “Wolfman” by Michael Rosen

– a wonderful story for children as young as 5.

 

2. “Squish – Super Amoeba” by Jennifer & Matthew Holm

– a fun story about a Twinkie loving amoeba who has trouble at school.

 

3. “Brock” by Anthony McGowan

– a good choice for high school students with reading difficulties

– an engaging story with teenage themes

 

4. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney

– a popular series for middle school age kids

– 3 movies have been based on this series

 

5. “Horrid Henry Robs the Bank” by Francesca Simon

– a “likeable bad guy” who will capture your child’s imagination and a great way for parents to discuss “right and wrong”

 

A knowledgeable psychologist is able to test your child for dyslexia and provide more direction on how to deal with dyslexia.

 

Back to Top

Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

Learn more

+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

Learn more

+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

Learn more

+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

Learn more

See more of our workshops


Contact

2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

Archive


Parents' Comments

“Our daughter was the joy of our life until she turned 13, then all hell broke loose. Rick helped us understand what was happening to her and we made some adjustments that helped us get through it. She’s now in University and doing well.”

(D.A. – St. Thomas)