Self-confidence training (6-10 yo)

The goal of this training is to support the development of self-confidence in children. Through games and activities, children learn to know themselves, value themselves, express themselves, and feel comfortable with others. The activities are varied and include storytelling, games, creative activities, movement exercises, and relaxation. The dynamics of these training is an important driving force, allowing children to experience new things while feeling confident and valued. At the end of each session, the child places a small "treasure" in their box. At the end of the training sessions, they will take their box home with all the treasures. The box then allows them to remember and relive what they learned in the self-confidence training.

Training of logical thinking

The ability to have a structured and logical thinking is an important aid for school as well as life in general. A weakness in logical thinking is not always linked to a low child's general IQ, because the IQ is an index also including many other areas such as verbal expression and knowledge, 2 and 3 dimensional thinking, memory, and even speed of work. Children having a weakness in logical thinking may have a normal global intelligence, but be held back academically by a specific weakness in their capacity to organize their reasoning in a structured and logical way. Certain children having difficulties in logic may also have difficulties in other areas such as e.g. language or memory, and in this case it is possible to elaborate a tailor-made program for the child in order to work on several aspects of his or her needs.

Training in structured and logical thinking is intended for children from 4 to 10 year-old in individual sessions. The program is tailored to the needs of the child. In general, we set up 6 to 10 training sessions with your child, then exchange together to discuss his or her development and adapt the continuation of the work.

Difficulties in mathematics

Understanding the difficulties

After an initial assessment to define the child's mathematical skills profile, I provide support in developing those mathematical skills. This is a form of cognitive remediation that aims not only to support the child in the learning process itself, but also to develop and strengthen the skills and knowledge needed as a foundation for assimilating the school curriculum.

The psychological aspect, the child's relationship with mathematics (anxiety, blockages), is also addressed.

I have degrees in mathematics and psychology, hence my particular interest in linking these two fields by using my knowledge and techniques as a psychologist to work on the neurological and/or emotional aspects that block the child, as well as my extensive knowledge of mathematics pedagogy.

The sad child

The child has less joy or interest in things that he or she appreciated earlier, shows sadness or irritability, discouragement, restricted or repetitive activities. He or she tires more quickly and sometimes also has appetite or sleep disturbances. Depressive or depression-like symptoms, however, can be very different from child to child; besides, the child rarely speaks about his or her suffering, often can't express why it is sad.

The causes of this sadness are often very diverse, such as a separation, the loss of a related person or a pet, a move, a relationship problem, or other reasons, but sometimes these reasons are not known.

I offer the parents an analysis of the current situation with their child, give guidance and advice. Depending on the initial situation I can recommend special support or coaching.

As part of my doctoral thesis, I dealt with children who had sad experiences as well as depressive symptoms. My goal was, among other things, to find the power sources, especially through their play and their creativity.

Giftedness (high intellectual potential)

Children with high intellectual potential think and learn differently, usually also faster than other children. Often they are much more sensitive and tend to feel different from other children of their age, do not meet the school expectations and suffer from it. The gifted child can unfold his or her potential and integrate well into the environment if his or her situation is recognized, sustained and encouraged – also by encouraging talents to flourish early. On the other hand, a lack of support, especially if the situation is not recognized or misinterpreted, can lead to significant behavioral problems, performance slumps and psychological problems.

I can carry out an assessment focusing on the identification of giftedness and its manifestation in the different dimensions, and I support families with concrete advice and recommendations for further action. It is ideal when, together with the intellectual capacity, a psycho-affective assessment can be carried out in order that the child's personality is captured in its entirety. Emotional strength, self-confidence and social competency are important prerequisites for developing intellectual potential, using abilities, and preventing frustration or disappointment. I can support your child in order to help him or her with difficulties, e. g. at school, at home or with comrades, and to develop self-competency as well as emotional strength.

My interest in gifted children is based on my experience and training in this field, as a moderator of the ANPEIP forum (association for gifted children in France), as well as my own experience (with positive aspects, but also difficulties) as a gifted child. Furthermore, I am a member of Mensa Switzerland and ISPE. Because children are still in their development, they are particularly sensitive to difficulties, both children with low skills in some areas as well as those with high abilities. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses to varying degrees, and it is important for me to recognize them and to promote talents in a balanced way, which creates an essential basis for the emotional balance.

I perform as well assessments for the detection of giftedness with teenagers and adults. For gifted adults, I offer assessments, consulting and coaching at the Coaching and Psychology Practice proTalent, as I offer these services for children and teenagers at the Psychology Practice PsYkids.