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WHAT do children crave?
Well, apart from snacks high in sugar, it's the love of their parents and never underestimating the power of a hug or kiss.
Linda Robinson, a psychologist with Beehavioural Psychology Services in Albury, says with the number of children diagnosed with psychological disorders and on medication increasing every day it was important people thought about the happiness and well-being of children.
"It's really the simple things in life that help make for a happy child," she says.
"When we look at the hierarchy of needs, it's unlikely children will be happy if their basic needs aren't met.
"Parents shouldn't underestimate how important a stable home environment can be, access to healthcare, shelter, food and the opportunity to play, learn and develop are basic and yet crucial."
However, Ms Robinson says probably most important is love, just the simple, yet powerful things we do every day to our children, like hug them, kiss them, cuddle them, and the things we say like "I love you" release happy hormones in our brains and theirs.
"We know all of this is very important at any age, but it's crucial in the first five years of life, due to the way the human brain develops," she says.
"In the first five years a child, whose needs are consistently met, goes on to do better academically and socially, because their brain lays down crucial pathways.
"The style of parenting is also important to children's happiness and well-being, it's important to not be too passive, or too strict.
"Having predictable routines, fair and consistent rules and consequences is also important.
"No one knows a child better than their parent, so you know what they like and don't like."
Charles Sturt University Professor of Education Bob Perry agrees that love, security and acceptance from parents and other adults in their life is crucial.
"Kids generally want to be accepted and they want to know what the rules are, not so they can obey or disobey them, but just so they know what they are," Professor Perry said.
"Their friends are also important to them, not so much the number of friends but someone they can talk to and share things with.
"They also seek security and stability.
"When they do something one day they want the same things to happen tomorrow, so that they have regularity."
Professor Perry, who teaches post graduate students and undertakes research into education, says one of the best pieces of advice he has handed out is "to look at what makes their eyes sparkle and it's those things that you need to search for when working with children".