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A tantruming toddler is a little ball of writhing muscle and incredible strength. It's like trying to carry a greased pig past a slop bucket.

Adolescence can be the cruelest place on earth. It can really be heartless.  ( Tori Amos)

Early intervention is always better than crisis management - but it is never too late to do the right thing.

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

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.

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

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.

Setting limits teaches your children valuable skills they will use the rest of their lives. One day, they will report to a job where their ability to follow rules will dictate their success.

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.

The quickest way to change your child’s behaviour is to first change your own.

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Does Physical Exercise Help Kids with ADHD ?

  There have been literally thousands of studies conducted on different treatment approaches for children with ADHD focusing on cognitive, academic achievement, behaviour and psychosocial functioning that have resulted in numerous treatment options ( medication, diet, sleep, cognitive behaviour therapy, family therapy, chiropractic adjustments, biofeedback, etc. etc. etc.). It is interesting to note that I can find only one study that attempted to determine if physical exercise can reduce behaviour problems and enhance academic performance […]

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Book launch – “The Promise” – a must read for foster/adoptive parents

I had the privilege of attending the launch of a new book that should be read by all adoptive and foster parents (actually all parents). Written by an adoptive mother (Christen Shepherd) and a support worker (Lisa Highfield), this book deals with the arrival of 4 needy children into the Shepherd home and chronicles their story from chaos to hope. A paragraph written by Christen near the end of the book is worth sharing here […]

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Upcoming Workshop

Fanshawe College (Tillsonburg campus) is offering the workshop “A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain” on Monday, May 12, 6:30-9:30. Registration for this course can be made by calling Fanshawe (519) 421-0144.   A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain   A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain with fewer kilometres on it. It is a brain that has not fully developed. It is a work in progress and has stymied parents for […]

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Crash Test Mommy/Daddy

I had an opportunity last week to present the workshop “Crash Test Mommy/Daddy” to the parents and staff of Acorn Christian Day Care in London. This 2 hour workshop is filled with time tested strategies for dealing with issues with real kids by real parents. Thanks to all who attended. If your group would be interested in a similar workshop simply go to the contact link on this page and send me an e-mail and […]

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Brain Fact # 15 (my last for this year)

This is the last week of classes for the CYW students at the Woodstock campus of Fanshawe College. I want to thank you for a wonderful semester as your questions, interest and enthusiasm for learning has been good for stimulating my brain. I wish you all the best as you continue your journey. Keep on learning (for my regular followers of this blog, I will be periodically  including a Q & A section, so feel […]

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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

“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)