Chapter Fifteen: Fostering Good Mental Health and Emotional Well- Being in Children Research Findings and Need for Wellness Policies for Mental Health and Well-being 1 in 10 children are at risk of mental health difficulties When developing rapport with a child, the teacher must take into consideration the family situation and cultural background Frequent communication between parents and teachers will improve the relationships with the child and school and home. ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children’s Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being Environmental factors affective mental health: special needs parental depression chronic health issues Drug abuse Child abuse Exposure to violence Attachment issues Poor nutrition Children's mental health Homelessness ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children's mental health Children who are emotionally healthy can: Take cues/directions from words Listen to their own "inner voice" Learn from watching others 3 types of Temperament Spirited Quiet/Cautious Calm ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children's mental health Spirited Temperament Very intense, highly reactive Difficulty with transitions Easily frustrated Highly sensitive and distractible Quiet/Cautious Mild emotional reactions Not very active Persists quietly when challenged Generally not sensitive ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children's mental health Calm Temperament Mild to moderate reactions Normal activity Positive mood Easily approachable Friendly Age will affect temperament and ability to adjust to a new environment. It is important to understand the difference between a developmentally appropriate response and a emotional problem ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children’s Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being Children self esteem evolves by: through the quality of relationships with people in their lives. Responsive caregivers enables children to feel good and proud of themselves This is a sign of quality attachment - the ability to form a close, loving relationship between caregiver and child. Types of attachment: Securely attached - 2/3 of children Insecurely attached - 1/3 of children at risk for mental health issues Ambivalent/resistant personality Avoidant personality ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Attachment Securely attached children Use the adults in their life as a "stable base" When they cry, a familiar caregiver picks them up This builds trust in caregivers and they see the pattern that teaches them that people care for them These children will have a positive outlook on adults and will be comfortable with new people/situations ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

attachment Insecure Attachment Inconsistent attention and pattern of care by caregiver At times the caregiver is loving and attentive and other times they ignore the child's needs and do not show affection/attention Types of Insecure Attachment Ambivalent/Resistant Uncomfortable in new situations/new adults Lack trust in adults ability to show love to them Want to monopolize the adults attention because they are not sure if they will get attention consistently ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

attachment Insecure Attachment Avoidant/Insecure Uncomfortable in new situation Ignore their parent and have little regard for others They believe that adults are not trustworthy and they will not meet their needs Attachment is a major influence on emotional development Secure attachment leads to curiosity, caring, cooperation, emotional regulation ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Mental Health Appraisal At-risk indicators help teachers understand what to look for if a child has mental health issues: Aggression Hypersensitive Mood swings with no explanation Indifference to parent Anxiously follows the teacher everywhere ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Reality Check: Bullying in the Early Childhood Education Environment Why do you think bullying is a real issue with young children, as young as preschool age? What can the teacher do to prevent it? Pg 537 ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children’s Stress One of main issues affecting children today Birth of a sibling Separation anxiety Death of a parent, friend, grandparent Fears Too many scheduled activities Stress Positive stress - positive new experiences, brief but stressful Tolerable stress - brief but more negative experiences Toxic stress - intense stress for a longer period of time Post-traumatic stress - intense stress that has permanently changed or disrupted the life of the child ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children’s Stress A child’s reaction to stress Visible in physical, emotional or behavioral responses Physical reactions - tummy aches, tired, headache Emotional/emotional Reactions may be regressive or aggressive Reactions may be exaggerated due to the child's imagination Acting out, aggression Teachers need to understand the impact of stress in a child’s life and behaviors ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children’s Stress Structure the environment to support the child with stress Four tools Adequate knowledge of socio-emotional development Positive relationship with families with clear communication Predictable routines Age-appropriate behavior management techniques Redirect behavior by offering materials such as rocking horse, punching bags, swings, water play, sand play, puppets, dolls, art ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children’s Stress Help children learn to identify and express emotions Provide soothing activities or those that help express stress Listen to children and respond with positive actions Role model excellent problem solving behavior and language ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Providing a Mentally and Emotionally Healthy Environment Research shows that children in high quality early childhood environments are less likely to be depressed as adults and have better social skills For a mentally and emotionally healthy environment, teachers should: Design safe and supportive environments Build positive relationships with kids and parents Teach social skills and emotional regulation Use individual intervention techniques when you see signs of stress ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Brain Box: Socio-Emotional Relationships and the Developing Brain Emotional Intelligence Def. The ability to identify, understand, and control emotions Will help the child develop a strong emotional foundation Help manage social interactions throughout life Areas of the brain that manage feelings and emotions: Amygdala Hippocampus Prefrontal cortex ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Brain development There are sensitive time periods for the brain to develop in ways that will affect social-emotional development Attachment months Trust months Impulse control months Independence months Cooperation months ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Providing a Mentally Healthy Environment Provide support and emotional assurance for child Help children to express and identify emotions Redirect anger and aggression through play and discussion ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Providing a Mentally Healthy Environment Establish daily routines that are predictable and consistent = security for child Create room arrangements that have children visually supervised and supported Provide an environment that offers a cozy or quiet area Have proper lighting and noise levels to lessen overstimulation to child Whenever possible, provide for a primary teacher who the child can bond with ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Providing a Mentally Healthy Environment For preverbal children, baby sign language can help to alleviate frustration and stress because it is a way to get needs met Babies understand language before they can respond with words Signing encourages language before the child can speak verbally Signing reduces tantrums, increase cognitive abilities, more likely to engage with adults and children ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Providing a Mentally Healthy Environment Teaching Pyramid of practices that are both preventive and supportive of children’s social and emotional development ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Reality Check : Relationship-Based Care in Early Childhood Education Environments What are 6 advantages of relationship-based care? Pg 547 ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Supporting and Engaging Diverse Families Families Provide consistency and predictability in relationship Help families build close bond with children Be supportive and responsive to individual needs - there is not ONE correct way Provide opportunities for all families to connect with each other Use cultural competence Understand family actions, values, beliefs ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Supporting and Engaging Diverse Families ©2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.