HOW TO BE A DOCTOR TO YOUR CHILD

SESSION 1
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD

Health, Disease & Immunity

We begin by reframing the way we think about childhood health.

You'll learn about:

• What “health” actually means
• Why children get sick frequently
• How the developing immune system learns
• Infection and inflammation
• Why fever, mucus, coughing, vomiting and diarrhoea can occur as part of the body's response to illness
• When symptoms are useful information—and when they become concerning
• Immune resilience versus simply “boosting immunity”
• The roles of sleep, movement, nutrition, nature, stress and the microbiome
• Supporting the foundations of a resilient child

THE GOAL:
Understand what your child's body may be trying to do before deciding what to do about it.

SESSION 2
IS MY CHILD REALLY SICK?

Learn to Observe Your Child Like a Clinician

This is where things become very practical.

You'll learn:

• How to recognise a child who looks genuinely unwell
• How to measure temperature properly
• What fever does—and doesn't—tell you
• How to count respiratory rate
• How to observe your child's breathing
• Signs of increased work of breathing
• Wheezing and other abnormal breathing sounds
• What you can observe around the ribs, chest, neck and nostrils
• How to feel and count a pulse
• How to assess hydration
• What urine output, tears and a dry mouth can tell you
• Why alertness and responsiveness matter
• What to observe in mucus, stool and vomit
• How to monitor common colds, coughs and fevers
• When watchful waiting may be reasonable
• When your child should be medically assessed
• Important RED FLAGS that require urgent medical attention

PLUS:
THE SICK CHILD OBSERVATION SHEET
A simple reference for recording:

Temperature • Respiratory Rate • Pulse • Fluids • Urine • Symptoms • Behaviour • Medication • Changes Over Time

THE GOAL:
Replace panic and guesswork with structured observation.

SESSION 3
THE THRIVING BRAIN

Behaviour, Concentration, Sleep & Emotional Regulation

Health isn't simply the absence of infection.

A child's ability to sleep, concentrate, learn, communicate, regulate emotions and cope with their environment matters enormously.

We'll explore:

• Attention and concentration
• ADHD and attention difficulties
• Behaviour as communication
• Sleep and brain development
• Screens and overstimulation
• Movement and outdoor exposure
• Nutrition and cognitive performance
• Stress and the developing nervous system
• The mind–body connection
• Emotional regulation
• Family environment and routines
• Building resilience
• When behavioural, emotional or developmental changes warrant professional assessment

THE GOAL:
Understand not only how your child behaves—but what may be influencing that behaviour.

SESSION 4
THE GUT–ALLERGY–IMMUNE CONNECTION

Nutrition, Digestion, Eczema & Allergies

Constipation.
Bloating.
Abdominal discomfort.
Eczema.
Allergic rhinitis.
Food reactions.
Recurrent infections.

Parents often encounter these as completely separate problems.

In this session, we'll look at where these systems genuinely intersect—and where popular wellness claims can sometimes oversimplify the science.

We'll explore:

• The developing gut microbiome
• The gut–immune relationship
• Constipation and healthy bowel habits
• Fibre and hydration
• Food diversity
• Practical healthy eating for children
• Ultra-processed foods
• Prebiotics and probiotics
• Allergies versus intolerances
• Eczema and skin-barrier health
• Allergic rhinitis
• Respiratory allergies
• Inflammation
• Restrictive diets
• When digestive, skin or allergic symptoms deserve further investigation

THE GOAL:
Give you a sensible framework for supporting the foundations of health from the inside out.

SESSION 5
THE HOME HEALTH TOOLKIT

What Can I Actually Do When My Child Is Sick?

This is where everything comes together.

We'll discuss supportive home management for many of the everyday situations almost every family encounters:

Fever • Colds • Coughs • Blocked Noses • Sore Throats • Mild Vomiting • Diarrhoea • Constipation • Abdominal Discomfort • Minor Injuries • Insect Bites • Mild Skin Complaints • Eczema Support • Headaches • Motion Sickness • Mouth Ulcers • Teething • Appetite Changes • Sleep Disturbance • Recovery After Illness

Where relevant we'll explore:

HOME CARE
Simple supportive measures you can use at home.

FOOD & HYDRATION
What may help during illness.

INTEGRATIVE SUPPORT
An evidence-aware discussion of commonly used supplements and supportive approaches, including safety considerations.

HOMEOPATHIC APPROACHES
An educational introduction to commonly used homeopathic approaches and how homeopaths differentiate between remedies.

WHAT NOT TO DO
Common mistakes parents can make when managing illness at home.

WHAT TO WATCH
Signs that the situation may be changing.

WHEN TO STOP
How to recognise when home management is no longer appropriate.

WHEN TO SEEK HELP
Knowing when your child needs professional medical assessment.

THE GOAL:
Give you a practical framework you can return to long after the programme has finished.