Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Project
Evidence-based resources to spark important conversations and teach your kids a set of essential mental health skills. The Healthy Minds Thriving Kids Project includes five videos introducing mental health skills. There are separate video series for Elementary, Middle, or High school students.
The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds
The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital is dedicated to promoting and supporting the mental, emotional, and behavioural well-being of young people. The website has articles and podcasts answering all questions on parenting kids from toddler tantrums to adolescents and alcohol.
Depending on your family's needs, you can find apps and sites designed for immediate help, ongoing support, information, and positive mental health habits.
77 Children's Books About Mental Health
Best books for helping kids understand emotional and learning challenges
I talk to teens and preteens every day about topics that can sometimes be difficult - their hygiene, friendship fights, crushes, body changes, figuring out their identity, risk behaviours and more. However, I'm also a parent, and I know that talking to your own child can be a whole different story.
How do you bring up a difficult conversation? What should I or shouldn't I say about a taboo topic?
Check out Dr Robyn's podcast - How to talk to kids about anything.
12 Hilarious, Heartwarming, and Cringe-Inducing Movies About Puberty (Article TIME, 2023)
Watching movies with your teen can be a great entry point to discuss topics that can otherwise be difficult to bring up. Want to talk about crushes, dating and relationships? How about changing bodies, pimples, and periods? Watch a film together and use the character's experience as a starting point. "Why do you think Kayla finds it so embarrassing to go to the pool party? Have you ever felt that way about your body?"
Turning Teen strongly believes in helping parents start conversations around puberty and sexuality with their children. They aim to provide direct, informative and honest information through in-person and online courses.
Their interactive programs offer age-appropriate, medically accurate information that a child will relate to and remember. Online programs are available for girls, boys and parents.
Talking with Teens and Preteens About Pornography
Not an easy topic! It's normal for adolescents to be curious about sex and to want more information about it. A majority of U.S. teens recently surveyed by Common Sense had seen pornography at least once by age 13—either by accident or on purpose. However, less than half of teen respondents had discussed pornography with a trusted adult.
It's time to talk about pornography with your teen. The conversation may feel awkward or hard, but it's worth it. You can use the tips and strategies here to prepare for the conversation, keep it positive, and—ultimately—create an open channel of respectful communication with your maturing child.
Positive and negative spirals and the plasticity of the adolescent brain (UNICEF, 2018)
The concept of positive and negative “spirals” unfolding during adolescence was coined by neuroscientists Ron Dahl and Ahna Suleiman and is explained in a series of UNICEF articles titled The Adolescent Brain: A Second Window of Opportunity. With the objective of bringing neuroscience, programming and policy closer together to better fulfil the potential of adolescents, the articles summarize what we know about the adolescent brain, the impact of different environments on its development, and the type of interventions that are particularly fruitful during different phases of adolescence.
This website has a wealth of information on all health topics. With sections for kids, teens and parents, there's almost nothing you won't find here! We use the kids and teens page a lot in our Health class as a starting point for finding reliable and age-appropriate information.
Parents are the #1 influence on their kids’ decision to drink –or not to drink– alcohol and Ask.Listen.Learn has research to show that the conversations parents are having at home matter—and they are working. Plenty of articles, videos, conversation starters and other resources to help parents talk to teens about alcohol and drugs.
Puberty happens to 100% of all humans. Oomla's mission is to make puberty positive. It's an exciting and awesome time of change, growth and new opportunities.
Oomla is a searchable puberty portal, with articles written by and for tweens and teens.
There's a podcast for the adults and social media channels (IG & Tiktok) for the younger ones. Check it out!
Teens and Romantic Relationships
This article shares some DOs and DON'Ts when talking to your teen about dating and romantic relationships. It can be a tough topic - so get some expert advice here!
