Looking beyond behaviour – part one

In this episode from the Emerging Minds Families podcast, host Alicia Ranford is joined by Dr Billy Garvey, an author, developmental paediatrician and co-host of the Pop Culture Parenting podcast. Dr Garvey brings a compassionate, science-based perspective to parenting issues, helping parents to understand what may be typical in a child’s behaviour and what may signal the need for extra support.  

In part one of this two-part series, Billy and Alicia explore the concept of emotion regulation, unpack how children build resilience and discuss the importance of understanding the emotions behind a child’s behaviour. They also explore the role parents play in creating safe and supportive environments for children. 

Billy also featured in our 200th anniversary episode series, where he shared how better service collaboration and community engagement are central to improving mental health outcomes for infants, children and young people. You can listen to part one and part two of that series now. 

In this episode, you will explore: 

• Some of the most common challenging behaviours in children and what can be behind these behaviours [02:41] 

• What emotion regulation is and how children can develop the skills to understand and manage difficult feelings [08:12] 

• Ways parents can begin to understand what a child may be trying to communicate through their behaviour [19:12].  

Further information and resources:  

In focus: Understanding children’s emotions and behaviours (Emerging Minds article) 

Pop Culture Parenting (podcast co-hosted by Dr Billy Garvey) 

Youth voice: Behaviour talks (Emerging Minds video)