What this tool is for
If your child is doing something that is worrying you, or just leaving you stumped, this tool gives you a quick read on whether the behaviour is typical for their age, what is likely driving it, and what you can try at home. You describe the situation in your own words and get back a plain English summary you can actually use.
It covers the usual flashpoints of childhood, things like meltdowns in the supermarket, hitting a sibling, refusing food, night waking, sudden shyness, answering back, or wetting the bed after months of being dry.
Who it is for
It is written for parents, grandparents, childminders and anyone else looking after a child roughly between toddler age and the early teens. It is most useful when you have noticed a pattern, a behaviour that has appeared out of nowhere, or something that feels off but you cannot quite put your finger on why.
It is not a replacement for your GP, health visitor or a paediatric specialist. If you are worried about your child's safety, development or mental health, please speak to a professional. Think of this as a sensible second opinion to help you work out your next step, whether that is trying a new approach at home or booking an appointment.
How it works
You answer a few short questions about your child's age, what they are doing, when it tends to happen and what you have already tried. The tool then gives you a written response covering whether the behaviour fits what is typical for that stage, possible reasons behind it, and a handful of practical things to try. It is free to use, you do not need to sign up, and what you type is not stored against your name or shared with anyone.
Ask Kids Development a question
Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.
You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.
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