Parenting support for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Toddler sitting on parent's shoulders in an apple orchard.

Toddler and preschool behaviour is one of the most universally misunderstood territories in early parenting.

The tantrums. The defiance. The food refusal. The bedtime resistance. The screaming in supermarkets. These are not signs that your child is behind, or that you are doing it wrong. They are developmentally expected expressions of a brain still learning to regulate itself.

What your child needs is a regulated, supported adult to help them regulate. That is harder than it sounds, particularly when you are exhausted, under-resourced, and being told contradictory advice by every parenting account on the internet.

Little Steps Psychology Practice offers evidence-based parenting support for families with toddlers and preschoolers, grounded in attachment theory, developmental psychology, and what actually works. No fear, no shame, no rigid rules.

Sessions are delivered online across the UK with Dr Natalie Cook, a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist based in Oxford.

What parenting support can help with

I work with parents of toddlers and preschoolers (roughly ages one to five) navigating:

  • Big feelings, frequent meltdowns, and emotional regulation

  • Aggression: hitting, biting, kicking, or pushing

  • Sleep difficulties and bedtime resistance

  • Separation anxiety and starting nursery or school

  • Toileting challenges

  • Food refusal and selective eating

  • Sibling rivalry and the arrival of a new baby

  • Boundary-setting and approaches to discipline

  • The impact of your own childhood experiences on your parenting

  • Co-parenting alignment and disagreement

  • Supporting a sensitive, anxious, or strong-willed child

  • Managing your own anxiety, anger, or guilt as a parent

How parenting support differs from therapy for your child

Parenting support is not therapy for your child. It is consultation and coaching for you, drawing on psychological and developmental expertise to help you understand what is happening and respond effectively.

You will leave sessions with a clearer understanding of your child's behaviour, practical strategies tailored to your family, and growing confidence in your own parenting judgement. Parenting confidence is one of the strongest protective factors for both parent mental health and child wellbeing. It deserves to be built and defended.

How I work

My approach is grounded in attachment theory, developmental psychology, and evidence-based models including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, and systemic family approaches. I draw on the work of Dan Hughes (PACE), Sarah Ockwell-Smith, and the broader gentle and responsive parenting evidence base, while staying firmly grounded in clinical realism.

No platitudes. No moralising. No one-size-fits-all advice.

What to expect

Support begins with an assessment session. We will look at what is happening, what you have already tried, your child's developmental stage, and your family context. From there we agree a plan.

Some families benefit from a few targeted sessions to address a specific challenge. Others choose ongoing support across different developmental stages.

If you would like evidence-based parenting support that respects you and your child, you are in the right place.

Get in touch to arrange an initial consultation