It is easy for parents to identify their child’s physical needs: nutritious food, warm clothes when it’s cold, bedtime at a reasonable hour. However, a child’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. Additionally, good friends and encouraging words from adults are all important for helping children develop self confidence, high self-esteem, and a healthy emotional outlook on life.
A child’s physical and mental health are both important. Basics for a child’s good physical health:
Love, security and acceptance should be at the heart of family life. Children need to know that your love does not depend on his or her accomplishments. Mistakes and/or defeats should be expected and accepted. Confidence grows in a home that is full of unconditional love and affection. Nurture children’s confidence and self-esteem.
Encourage Children to Play To children, play is just fun. However, playtime is as important to their development as food and good care. Playtime helps children be creative, learn problem-solving skills and learn self-control. Good, hardy play, which includes running and yelling, is not only fun, but helps children to be physically and mentally healthy. Children Need Playmates Sometimes it is important for children to have time with their peers. By playing with others, children discover their strengths and weaknesses, develop a sense of belonging, and learn how to get along with others. Consider finding a good children’s program through neighbors, local community centers, schools, or your local park and recreation department. Parents Can be Great Playmates Join the fun! Playing Monopoly or coloring with a child gives you a great opportunity to share ideas and spend time together in a relaxed setting. Play for Fun Winning is not as important as being involved and enjoying the activity. One of the most important questions to ask children is “Did you have fun?’’ not “Did you win?” In our goal-oriented society, we often acknowledge only success and winning. This attitude can be discouraging and frustrating to children who are learning and experimenting with new activities. It’s more important for children to participate and enjoy themselves. TV use should be monitored Try not to use TV as a “baby-sitter” on a regular basis. Be selective in choosing television shows for children. Some shows can be educational as well as entertaining. School should be fun! Starting school is a big event for children. “Playing school” can be a positive way to give them a glimpse of school life. Try to enroll them in a pre-school, Head Start, or similar community program which provides an opportunity to be with other kids and make new friends. Children can also learn academic basics as well as how to make decisions and cope with problems. Provide appropriate guidance and instructive discipline Children need the opportunity to explore and develop new skills and independence. At the same time, children need to learn that certain behaviors are unacceptable and that they are responsible for the consequences of their actions. As members of a family, children need to learn the rules of the family unit. Offer guidance and discipline that is fair and consistent. They will take these social skills and rules of conduct to school and eventually to the workplace. Suggestions on Guidance and Discipline
Avoid nagging, threats and bribery. Children will learn to ignore nagging, and threats and bribes are seldom effective. Give children the reasons “why” you are disciplining them and what the potential consequences of their actions might be. Talk about your feelings. We all lose our temper from time to time. If you do “blow your top,” it is important to talk about what happened and why you are angry. Apologize if you were wrong! Remember, the goal is not to control the child, but for him or her to learn self-control. Provide a safe and secure home. It’s okay for children to feel afraid sometimes. Everyone is afraid of something at some point in their life. Fear and anxiety grow out of experiences that we do not understand. If your children have fears that will not go away and affect his or her behavior, the first step is to find out what is frightening them. Be loving, patient and reassuring, not critical. Remember: the fear may be very real to the child. Signs of Fear Nervous mannerisms, shyness, withdrawal and aggressive behavior may be signs of childhood fears. A change in normal eating and sleeping patterns may also signal an unhealthy fear. Children who “play sick” or feel anxious regularly may have some problems that need attention. Fear of school can occur following a stressful event such as moving to a new neighborhood, changing schools, or after a bad incident at school. Children may not want to go to school after a period of being at home because of an illness. When to seek help Parents and family members are usually the first to notice if a child has problems with emotions or behavior. Your observations with those of teachers and other caregivers may lead you to seek help for your child. If you suspect a problem or have questions, consult your pediatrician or contact a mental health professional. Warning Signs The following signs may indicate the need for professional assistance or evaluation:
Information and referrals regarding the types of services that are available for children may be obtained from:
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry www.aacap.org Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health Phone: 703-684-7710 www.ffcmh.org Family Support America Phone: 312-338-0900 National Association of School Psychologists Phone 301-657-0270 www.naspweb.org What Every Child Needs for Good Mental Health is one in a series of pamphlets on children and teen mental health. Other Mental Health America titles include:
“Facts for Families," America Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry “Children’s and Adolescent’s Mental Health," US Dept. of Health and Human Services copyright 1997 revised 2/00 @ Copyright Mental Health America 7/17/18 If you are in need of mental health support stop by the Community Center, we are located at 38 Park Way in Happy Camp. We are open Tuesday-Thursday from 9am-4pm, closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm, and Friday 10am-1pm. The Community Center contracts with Siskiyou County Behavioral Health and we can refer you to their services. For the 24 Hour Mental Health Crisis Line/ Access Line, Toll Free: 1-800-842-8979 For this Article and more information visit: www.mentalhealthamerica.net/every-child-needs
3 Comments
1/25/2022 06:55:22 am
My son has been having issues with depression, and I'm trying to help him. It makes sense that I would want to try my best to be there for him and listen to him. I can see how everyone could benefit from having someone there to listen.
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10/17/2022 05:07:36 am
I liked it the most when you shared that the decline in school performance is a sign that a child needs professional assistance. My friend wants her child to have a strong mind. I think it's best for her to take young children therapy sessions to strengthen her mind.
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