Essential Early Childhood and Parenting Resources

Children and adolescents are frequently brought in by their caregivers for sleep or behavior issues, and because of the distress this can cause, it's important to be aware of resources available to them. Often specialist input is required however there are resources available both locally and nationally as listed below they can access during their wait. I would recommend that all doctors have a list of local resources and how to access them.

Local resources

• Child health drop in clinics- these are an excellent starting point for babies and their carers as they can refer onwards to community based interventions such as the local sleep clinic.

• Private sleep coaches- there are many sleep specialists in the community with expertise in baby and toddler sleep issues, they are often expensive but this might be preferred for some parents.

National Resources

Triple-P Parenting

• https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-en/triple-p/

• Free evidence based courses for parents of children up to age 16

• Self-paced and online

Raising Children Network

• https://raisingchildren.net.au/

• Online resource bank for children of all ages

• Information ranges from expected normal developmental milestones to play ideas

Circle of Security

• https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/

• Specific resources for parents and clinicians to educate them on circle of security

• Clinicians can refer to a local facilitator for parental education (check age requirements prior to referral, this can vary)

Act for Kids

• https://www.actforkids.com.au/

• Queensland based

• Education and counselling services

• Printable worksheets for children aged 5-10 on consent, safety and etc

Benevolent Society

• https://www.benevolent.org.au/

• Family and parenting resources and referral options

• Post adoption and foster carer resources

Family and Child Connect

• https://www.familychildconnect.org.au/

• Queensland based

• Clinicians can refer families for their services

• Handouts for families

Parentline

• https://parentline.com.au/

• Queensland and Northern Territory

• Free counselling and support for parents

• Run the Parenting in Cyberspace Podcast to educate carers about safety online

Book recommendations

• The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene

• The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Siegel

• Raising a Secure Child by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper and Bert Powell

• The Circle of Security Intervention by Bert Powell, Glen Cooper, Kent Hoffman and Bob Marvin

• Tiny Humans, Big Emotions by Alyssa Blask Campbell and Lauren Stauble

• Raising Girls Who Like Themselves/ Bringing Up Boys Who Like Themselves by Kasey Edwards and Christopher Scanlon