Childhood is a period, with many changes, that begins at childbirth and ends in puberty. It is not until recently that we have learnt how important this time is for the development of further periods in life.

Children are sometimes undervalued on their abilities and intelligence. They have their own needs and their particular way of relating with their environment; a child´s world is made up of fantasy, dinosaurs, magical creatures, talking animals, made up characters, knights, princesses, fairies and witches.

Growing up seems like something taken for granted, and it is when we talk about the biological point of view; each growing phase happens one after the other. Nevertheless, from the psychological point of view, other people´s help is needed. This people (parents, family, teachers…) teach them, little by little, to be able to do things on their own, growing and becoming more independent. This adults will pass on confidence and curiosity for the world around them.

Some problems might appear in this time of life, as well as in any other period. Something stops, is stuck or we can even find a regression on the child. Nevertheless, on children, being still immature, makes it hard to ask for help. For this reason, we need to be alert to symptoms when children are not able to explain if something is happening to them with words.

This is a list of some problems we can find during childhood:

• Learning and School problems, such as bad behaviour, dyslexia, being too hard on themselves, difficulties on learning, attention problems, concentration problems and more.
• Sleeping problems, such as insomnia, nightmares, being afraid of sleeping alone and more.
• Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, non-medical obesity).
• Sphincter control problems (Bowel and bladder control).
• Speaking problems (stammering, non-medical mutism, etc).
• Interpersonal, social difficulties.
• Emotional problems such as depression and anxiety.
• Phobias and other types of fears.
• Hyperactivity.
• ADD.
• Separation anxiety.
• Bullying.
• Divorces and parent separations: Helping a child in those difficult situations creates a way of protecting and a prevention method that will be with the child during all their life.

A therapeutic intervention at this time can help prevent a great amount of suffering in the future.