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Children do not develop on their own - they only develop within relationships.

Relationships matter:  change comes through forming trusting relationships. People, not programs change people.

Children today are under enormous pressures rarely experienced by their parents or grandparents. Many of today's children are being enticed to grow up too quickly and are encountering challenges for which they are totally unprepared.

Some hope their children will be like sponges soaking up the truth and wisdom imparted by their parents. However appealing this philosophy might be, it seldom seems to catch on with their children.

The more 2 parents differ in their approaches to discipline, the more likely it leads to trouble for the child.

Being a parent of a teenager can cure a person of narcissism.

Wouldn't it be nice if children would simply listen and learn.

There has been an explosion in the prescribing of medication for very young children, particularly preschool and kindergarten boys (Juli Zito , Univ. of Maryland)

"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

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

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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.

 

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

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

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+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

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

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+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

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+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

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

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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

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Parents' Comments

“We are foster parents who took in a 13 year old girl (going on 18!) and she ran us through the wringer. Rick helped us learn how to set limits that made the difference.”

(G.E. – Strathroy)