Staff training for Fraser Valley Region of Association of Neighbourhood Houses

Why do young children resist, lash out, fall apart, or demand control? While their behaviour can feel disruptive or
confusing, these challenges are often rooted in powerful emotions they cannot yet express or make sense of.
In this one-day workshop, clinical counsellor and developmentalist Dr. Deborah MacNamara brings clarity to the chaos of
young children’s behaviour. Drawing on developmental science, attachment theory, and real-world experience, she helps
parents, educators, and professionals look beyond surface behaviours to the emotional needs driving them.
From tantrums and sibling conflict to defiance and anxiety, this day will offer insight into the roots of common struggles—and
how adults can respond with warmth, leadership, and understanding. When we make sense of behaviour through a
developmental lens, we create the conditions children need to rest, relate, and grow.