Child Psychology Resource Guide

This guide is provided as a resource for students focusing on Child Psychology and related disciplines, as well as those interested in the subject. The resource guide is divided into various broad categories, and each resource is annotated with a brief description. This resource guide also contains hyperlinks to several professional associations, databases and journals to assist with research in the area of Child Psychology.

Included also are Child Psychology educational resources and tutorials for teachers, parents, therapists and those interested in furthering their understanding of the discipline of Child Psychology. These additional resources offer a deeper understanding of the discipline. These educational resources are designed for both students and teachers to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge. Social media accounts to follow are listed in order to obtain the latest updates in the field.

General Resources

  • Child Psychology Meanings and Definitions – InfoPlease provides a glossary of terms utilized in the practice of child psychology.
  • Connexions Library – Child psychology subject index for Connexions publications.
  • DysTalk – General informational social media site around the topic of dyslexia. The site offers a community of users, a wealth of information via blog posts and articles, as well as multimedia content, such as various lecture series and podcasts.
  • National Institutes of Mental Health – Federal government’s resource for research opportunities, education and funding for projects in the area of child and adolescent mental health.
  • Raising Great Kids – Resource for parents that addresses specific topics, such as discipline and punishment and 21 questions for successful parents. The site is billed as a resource for good parents who want to be better parents.

Blogs

  • Author Dawn Blocker – Dawn Blocker originally created the blog and entitled it “Practice What I Preach.” She shares the journey of going from child therapist to parent with insights with regards to her perceptions about the discipline both before and after she became a parent.
  • Child In Mind – Dr. Gold provides information to parents and practitioners about how to best facilitate the emotional development of children. The doctor utilizes a behavioral approach in her practice and addresses behavioral treatments and interventions for children.
  • Child Psychology and Parenting Blog – Provides a research-based platform for discussion of topics in Child Psychology for parents and practitioners. Topics from dealing with childhood anxiety to blog posts about when to utilize medication are provided for parents.
  • Cognitive Therapy for Kids – Discusses the practice of cognitive therapy for children and families. The author addresses timely topics such as stressors surrounding homework at the beginning of the school year. The blog also promotes various CBT apps for practitioners, such as the Mood Kit app.
  • Columbia Child Psychologist – Conversations and reviews of current research, trends and topics. This blog takes on topics that are relevant to teens and young people, such as effects of social media on depression. The author also discusses topics surrounding the effects of trauma on children and teens.
  • Diary of a Child Therapist – Advice and tips for parents from a practicing child and family therapist. The doctor offers valuable insights with regard to childhood behavior and parenting techniques.
  • Dr. Tippy’s Child Development Blog – Dr. Tippy posts articles and information about ASD, DIR, autism, floor-time and relationships throughout the development of the child.
  • Family Dysfunction and Mental Health – Author Dr. David Mallen discusses how family dysfunction interacts with behavior in children and teens. The doctor takes a cognitive-behavioral approach to treating dysfunction in families.
  • Great Kids, Great Parents – Blog hosted and promoted by Psychology Today magazine. The author discusses development of language and learning behavior in infants and young children, as well as more diverse topics, such as adoption and emotional development of young children.
  • Secrets of Baby Behavior – Blog for parents to help them understand the behavior of their infants and toddlers. The author discusses behavioral differences as well as the milestones of normal development, such as learning and the use of language.
  • Teen Mental Health Blog – Author offers an opportunity for parents and teens to ask the expert about specific issues. Blog posts include topics relevant to depression and teen life, such as the effect of exercise on teen depression and the impact of starting back to school on teen depression.
  • The Thoughful Parent – A down-to-earth blog about specific topics that parents deal with. An article entitled “Olympic Sport: The Parent Edition” covers strategies about how to eat while breastfeeding and the soothing art of vacuuming the home while carrying an infant in a baby carrier.

Associations

  • American Art Therapy Association – Art therapy is a specialized area of Child Psychology that focuses on utilizing the arts for treatment for various psychological disorders in children. The association introduces qualified art therapists, their practices and approaches. The site also lists qualifications required for becoming an Art Therapist, as well as educational listings and resources.
  • American Board of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology – The ABCCAP is a division of the American Board of Professional Psychology. The ABCCAP site offers users a directory of member practitioners.
  • American Psychological Association – The APA is the largest professional organization in the United States. The mission of the organization is to advance psychological information to benefit society at large.
  • Anxiety and Depression Association of America – ADAA is the leading society in the United States devoted to education and the study of anxiety and depression in both children and adults.
  • Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice – A professional organization located in the U.K. that provides a forum for Child Psychology practitioners to interact and share professional information. The site provides a platform for discussion and information sharing for Child Psychology private practitioners.
  • National Association of School Psychologists – The NASP is dedicated to providing educational and professional resources to School Psychologists. The goal of the organization is to empower School Psychologists to provide assistance to students to improve learning behavior and overall mental health.
  • National School Climate Center – NSCC is committed to improving the “climate,” or learning environment, in schools to meet the needs of all students.

Databases/Journals

  • Applied Behavioral Analysis Resources – Provides a wealth of free resources for parents and teachers of children with autism.
  • Child Development Information – Comprehensive source for parents and practitioners that provides resources for children of all ages. The site covers a wide range of topics, from dyslexia to childhood mental illness. The site was founded in 1999 and has bee recognized by the American Psychological Association and Psychology Today magazine.
  • Child Psychology Information Guide – Informational site for those interested in pursuing a career in the area of Child Psychology. The site offers interesting articles, seminal studies and more.
  • Mothers United for Moral Support – A network of mothers who are matched for support and interaction. MUM also provides a database of diagnoses at http://www.netnet.net/mums/database.htm.
  • The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities – Clearinghouse for information for parents and practitioners with regards to children with mental, emotional and physical disabilities. The site also offers a Spanish language version.
  • William Gladden Foundation – Online library of free child psychology publications.

Educational Resources

  • Children and Adults with Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorders – CHADD provides information for children and adults dealing with ADHD. CHADD offers both English and Spanish language versions of the site.
  • Child Psychology Teaching Tools – Resources and teaching tools by renown team of Hetherington, Parker and Locke.
  • The Child Development Website – Child Development discusses and explains classic theories of child development.
  • Child Psychology Resources – Provides multicultural resources for children and focuses on helping children find their path in America, the land of diversity.
  • EarlyChildhood.com – Educational resources for teachers, practitioners and parents that provides information related to infants through age 8.
  • Educate Autism – Resources for parents and teachers who instruct autistic children. The site offers educational materials, tips and techniques for teaching autistic children.
  • Effective Child Therapy – Focuses on evidence-based therapy for adolescents and children. Separate sections are provided for parents, therapists and educators.
  • Information about Autism – News, resources and general information about autism, Asperger’s syndrome, PDD and ASD.

Societies, Conferences, Professional Organizations

Patient/Parent Resources

  • Baby Center – Comprehensive resource for parents of babies or expectant parents. Resources including a Baby Name Finder, parents’ forum, ovulation calender and more.
  • Child Behavior Guide – Comprehensive resource for parents and practitioners with information related to dealing with challenging child behavior, applied behavior analysis, behavior disorders and developmental disabilities.
  • David Baldwin’s Trauma Information Pages – Resources dealing with the effects of childhood trauma on behavior and the effect of trauma on brain development.
  • Empowering Parents – Child behavior help for parents dealing with difficult parenting issues. Topics such as stealing, disrespect, anxiety and more are addressed with a plethora of resources.
  • My Kid Can – Resources for parents of children in early childhood and daycare programs. The site also lists resources for those interested in pursuing careers in early childhood education.
  • Parenting Child Development – Child psychology resources for parents and practitioners. Site provides information such as how to focus on the needs of the child for therapeutic purposes.
  • Parent Wonder – Offering parents practical advice for raising children.
  • School Psychology Organization – Resource for teachers, parents and school psychologists for better serving students in educational institutions.
  • Stanford University: Children and Sleepwalking – A parent’s guide to dealing with a child’s sleepwalking behavior. The site contains definitions and recommended treatments.
  • Virginia Academy of School Psychologists – Association provides webinars and presentations for parents, teachers and practitioners.

Twitter Accounts to Follow

  • APA Help Center (@APAHelpCenter) – Twitter account for the American Psychological Association’s Help Center.
  • Child-Psych.org (@ChildPsychology) – The official Twitter account of Child-Psych.org. The organization provides information to child psychologists, parents and other interested parties.
  • Child Psychology (@ChildPsychology) – Twitter account maintained by Dr. Nestor Lopez-Duran offers non-partisan research in the area of child psychology.
  • Dr. David Ballard (@DrDavidBallard) – Dr. Ballard is the marketing director for the American Psychological Association practice. He regularly tweets interesting posts and articles.
  • The Chicago School – (@GradPsychology) – The official Twitter account for one of the most renown graduate schools offering advanced degrees in the specialties of Child Psychology.
  • Psychology Today Magazine (@PsychToday) – Follow the popular Psychology Today publication on Twitter.
  • Psych Central Online Magazine (@PsychCentral) – Online magazine for practicing psychologists in all areas.
  • Psychological Press (@PsyPress) – The Psychological Press is a publisher of psychology textbooks. Those who teach in the areas of child psychology may want to follow this account.

Other Resources

  • Alpha Nutrition – This resource deals with the effect of nutrition on behavioral and learning problems in children.
  • KidPsych – Kids games offered online that are designed to develop the mind. Two age categories are provided: Games for Kids ages 1 through 5, and ages 6 though 9.
  • Psychology Humor: Geary’s Humor – One liners, jokes and humor related to the practice of Psychology.