Ryan Yam

As we approach the end of the year, many parents feel a mix of emotions—relief, exhaustion, gratitude, worry, hope. For families raising children with emotional, behavioral, learning, or attention challenges, this season can feel especially heavy. If this year felt hard, you’re not alone. If it felt messy, unfinished, or far from the picture you imagined—that’s okay too. Year-end reflection doesn’t have to be about measuring success. Sometimes, it’s simply about noticing what carried you...

As parents and educators, we often talk about helping children “do the right thing.” But what does that really mean? Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg studied how humans grow in moral reasoning—not just what choices we make, but why those choices feel right or wrong. One important insight is this: Moral development does not stop in childhood. Adults can continue growing throughout their lives. Below is a simple explanation of the three levels of moral development, with reflection questions and a...

Have you ever noticed that your child tends to repeat certain behaviors—both the ones you love and the ones that drive you crazy? There’s a reason for that. Children, like all of us, tend to repeat what works. When a behavior leads to something pleasant—attention, praise, or a desired activity—it’s likely to show up again. Psychologists call this principle operant conditioning , but for parents, it simply means: behaviors that get rewarded, get repeated. 1. Kids Learn from What Follows Their...