Supporting Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Strength-based Approach for Early Childhood Educators

The emotional lives of young children are growing increasingly more complex. There is growing interest in understanding early mental health and wellbeing and how early childcare providers can support children birth to age five who have experienced traumatic events and learn strategies to promote children's social and emotional development. Supporting Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Strength-based Approach for Early Childhood Educators incorporates strength-based child care strategies to foster positive reciprocal relationships between caregiver and young children and strengthen children's resiliency and wellbeing. Strategies include building on children's mental health and resiliency; identifying protective factors and indicators of risk; promoting healthy attachment; and, scaffolding social and emotional development within the context of family relationships and culture. Supporting Children's Mental Health and Well-being covers: Introduction to national statistics on the growing concerns regarding early mental health and trauma The impact trauma has on the developing brain The impact of children's behavior on the workplace and teacher burnout Stages of typical social-emotional development Strategies to collaborate with families, public school systems, and community services Outlining practices to build resiliency in children and teachers Creating psychologically safe spaces for children and adults Building a toolkit of resources and strategies