Parent resources

These resources are designed for families to use in conjunction with their GP or for you to supply to them. There are a selection of apps, guides and factsheets that are freely available to everyone.

The Child 360 app has been designed as a tool for you to share with parents. This free app helps parents to reflect on how they are supporting child mental health and identify areas where they can help strengthen their children’s resilience.

For this and more see the list of parent resources below.

In focus

In focus: How can general practitioners support children’s mental health?

Emerging Minds

Australian children visit their general practitioner (GP) more than any other health professional, and GPs also often see the same family for many years, enabling them to build a strong, trusting relationship with both children and their parents. GPs are in a unique position to notice and intervene when early signs of mental health concerns appear, and to promote positive mental health for infants and children. This page shares resources to help you, as a GP, increase your confidence in supporting children’s mental health.
App

While I’m Away app

Emerging Minds

The While I'm Away app has been designed to help parents support the mental health and wellbeing of their child should they need to be cared for by someone else. It is available for free on iOS and Android.
Fact sheet

Understanding child development: Ages 0-3 years

Dr Sara McLean

This resource is part of a series from the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health that outlines the key developmental issues and experiences for children, from birth to age 12. It focuses on the developmental experiences of infants and children aged 0–3 years, providing a brief description of how adverse events may be experienced by a child of this age, and how adults can support a child who has been exposed to disruptive life events.
Fact sheet

Understanding child development: Ages 3-5 years

Dr Sara McLean

This resource is part of a series from the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health that outlines the key developmental issues and experiences for children, from birth to age 12. It focuses on the developmental experiences of infants and children aged 3-5 years, providing a brief description of how adverse events may be experienced by a child of this age, and how adults can support a child who has been exposed to disruptive life events.
Fact sheet

Understanding child development: Ages 5-8 years

Dr Sara McLean

This resource is part of a series from the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health that outlines the key developmental issues and experiences for children, from birth to age 12. It focuses on the developmental experiences of children aged 5–8 years, providing a brief description of how adverse events may be experienced by a child of this age, and how adults can support a child that has been exposed to disruptive life events.
Fact sheet

Understanding child development: Ages 9-12 years

Dr Sara McLean

This resource is part of a series from the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health that outlines the key developmental issues and experiences for children, from birth to age 12. It focuses on the developmental experiences of children aged 9-12 years, providing a brief description of how adverse events may be experienced by a child of this age, and how adults can support a child that has been exposed to disruptive life events.
Fact sheet

How parents and caregivers can prepare for a natural disaster

Emerging Minds

Australia is affected by many different types of disaster, including floods, bushfires and cyclones. Preparing yourself and your family ahead of time can really make a big difference to how you and your family respond and cope if there is a disaster. This information will take you through some practical and psychological strategies to help you and your family get prepared.
Practice paper

Supporting parents of 4-8-year-old children with mild to moderate anxiety

Catherine Murphy and Elly Robinson - Parenting Research Centre

This practice guide provides information about anxiety in children aged between 4-8 years of age. It aims to help practitioners in generalist services to better support parents who have a child experiencing mild-moderate anxiety.
Guide

Parent guide one: Anxiety in children aged 4-8

Catherine Murphy and Elly Robinson - Parenting Research Centre

The more you know about your child’s experience of anxiety, the more informed you are to make decisions about the kind of support and help you choose for them. The information in this guide can be used to help you and your practitioner improve anxiety in your children.
Guide

Parent guide two: Gathering information about your 4-8 year old child’s experience of anxiety

Catherine Murphy and Elly Robinson - Parenting Research Centre

The more you know about your child’s experience of anxiety, the more informed you are to make decisions about how best to support them. This guide provides some information on strategies that you can try with support from your practitioner.
Guide

Parent guide three: Supporting your 4-8 year old child

Catherine Murphy and Elly Robinson - Parenting Research Centre

There are a number of actions parents can take to help their child decrease and manage their feelings of anxiety. This guide provides some information on strategies that you can try with support from your practitioner. Trying one or two of these to begin with is a good start. Remember that anxiety can get worse before it gets better, so keep persisting to give the strategy time to work.
Short article

How parents and caregivers can support children in the short term following a disaster or community trauma

Emerging Minds

Supporting your children in the weeks and months after a disaster or traumatic event can feel daunting, this information covers some basic steps you can take to help support their recovery and protect them from having ongoing difficulties.

Parent resources

In focus: How can general practitioners support children’s mental health?

While I’m Away app

Understanding child development: Ages 0-3 years

Understanding child development: Ages 3-5 years

Understanding child development: Ages 5-8 years

Understanding child development: Ages 9-12 years

How parents and caregivers can prepare for a natural disaster

Supporting parents of 4-8-year-old children with mild to moderate anxiety

Parent guide one: Anxiety in children aged 4-8

Parent guide two: Gathering information about your 4-8 year old child’s experience of anxiety

Parent guide three: Supporting your 4-8 year old child

How parents and caregivers can support children in the short term following a disaster or community trauma

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