Psyched About Kids is a platform where parents, educators and therapists can find practical information, tools, and learning networks that focus on healthy child development.
The Psyched About Kids philosophy is based on a heart-centred approach to parenting and uses strategies from the latest brain science research.
A warm, supportive, and trusting relationship between caregiver and child, a consistently nurturing environment and stimulating interactions forms the ultimate foundation for raising happy, successful children, youth and adults.
We provide the knowledge, techniques and tools to take you down the parenting path in the most successful way possible.
Mission
To promote healthy child development by making brain science accessible and practical.
Vision
Every parent acquires and implements the knowledge to help optimize their child's development.
Meet our Child
Development Specialists
Joanna Piekarski
Joanna (or "Jojo" - as the children she works with playfully refer to as) has been obsessed with how children’s brains develop for over a decade now and her experience in the field confirms this. While completing her undergraduate studies in psychology at York University, she started working as a behavioural therapist where she first dipped her toes in the field. Jo completed her graduate studies in developmental psychology at the University of Toronto and her post graduate fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Boston in infant-parent mental health where she learned directly from the gurus in the field of child mental health. From behavioural therapy to agency work at a non-profit, to conducting research at the University of Calgary, to starting her own clinical practice as a registered psychologist - one thing rings true: Jo is absolutely passionate in helping caregivers reflect on new ways to approach parenting. Her hope is for caregivers to learn these strategies in an engaging and collaborative way that ultimately benefits not only the child, but the whole family!
Lara Higgins
The parenting journey is humbling and full of ongoing learning, self-reflection and personal growth. With children now 18 and 23, the journey continues!
With a background in financial services, Lara’s children were young when she shifted careers and started channeling her energy into supporting child development at an organization offering integrated health services to those suffering from the effects of poverty and trauma . With a passion for building strong families and communities, she has spent the last 12 years absorbing and applying core research to early childhood learning and brain development.
With her partner Jo, taking scientific knowledge and translating into practical and simple tips, tools and strategies that can have a powerful positive impact on parent child relationships and healthy child development is her passion.
