By Angela Brown

Esteemed child psychiatrist speaks on healthy brain development

Nov 30, 2018 | 4:01 PM

Many local early childhood educators and service providers heard from an esteemed child psychiatrist from McMaster University, Thursday who gave a presentation in North Battleford during her visit.
 
Dr. Jean Clinton, who is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, spoke about the importance of building healthy relationships to foster children’s wellbeing.

Clinton pointed out more families need to focus on how their young child is doing now — including emotionally, physically and spiritually, instead of simply trying to constantly stockpile children’s brains with more information they can use in the future, in an effort to jump-start their education. 

She added, in particular, children learn in many ways. For parents to be present to their children in person, speaking or simply making eye contact, one-on-one is much better for children than to plant a computer device in the child’s lap to use as a diversion to keep the child occupied.  

Speaking to Indigenous Elders has also informed her view, Clinton said, adding it is “our sacred responsibility to raise our children.”

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“They are not our future; they are our present,” she said.

Clinton added this is not just parents’ responsibility, but also educators, and the community as a whole, which together can help raise healthy children.

Need to connect

Clinton said providing a safe, happy, nurturing environment for a child will help ensure his or her wellbeing and mental health. She said young children need to play and run, and connect to their environment in the natural world as part of their development.   

She added unfortunately in today’s society many children are dealing with anxiety attributed to school pressures and especially increased use of the Internet and social media, so she hopes parents can help to look for ways to reduce some of the factors that can contribute to a child’s stress. 

“Help your child recognize and work through their emotions,” Clinton added. 

Elaine Sonmor, a family resource facilitator with Battlefords Family Resource Network, said Clinton also provided useful advice to parents about being aware of how much time they spend on their computer devices when they should be engaging with their children. Sonmor said Clinton gave an important message about how the issue impacts family relationships during her presentation.

The Battlefords Early Childhood Community Planning Network and supporters organized the event.
 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW