Early childhood is a time of major development. From birth to age 5, a child’s brain changes as much as it will during the rest of their lifetime. This is a time when your child is learning important social and emotional skills they’ll use as they continue to grow. 

Prioritizing your young child’s mental health during this important developmental period plays a key role in promoting overall health and well-being throughout their life. Below, learn more about your young child’s mental health, and how you can ensure healthy development as your little one grows.  

It’s Never Too Early To Start Talking About Mental Health

Early conversations about mental health are one of the best things caregivers can do to support a child’s well-being. While your toddler or preschooler may be too young to understand certain topics, prioritize conversations about age-appropriate mental and behavioral health topics. For example, teaching your child how to name their emotions — and how to manage them — can set the stage for healthy development. For example, stating “I can hear you are feeling frustrated, let’s pause and take a few deep breaths together” is a great way to label the emotion they are feeling, providing validation and teaching them how to cope in the moment. Talking about feelings from an early age also creates a safe space for your child to open up about mental health struggles as they get older. 

Everyday Communication Helps Build Trust

Communicating with a child from an early age can help build a safe, trusting relationship. In addition to responding to your baby’s communication cues — comforting them when they cry or feeding them when they show you they’re hungry — make an everyday effort to talk to your baby. This can be done by verbally responding to your baby when they are babbling, smiling or even crying and narrating the day to your baby. Even hearing mom or dad’s voice or making eye contact can be comforting to a child. 

As they get a little bit older, you can start to open the conversation by discussing everyday things. For example, you could ask your toddler what their favorite part of their day was or what their least favorite part of the day was every night at dinner. Starting these conversations and responding in a non-judgmental way helps your child see you’re a safe person who can support them when things get tough. It is just as important to talk about the good things as it is the difficult things. 

Young Children Learn by Watching

Along with direct communication, young children learn by watching adults. Leading by example can help instill important emotional and social skills in your little one. As your child grows, teach them resilience by allowing them to see you make and handle mistakes. For example, if you spill a drink, you could say “Oops! I’m frustrated that I made a mess, but it’s just water. I’ll clean it up and then get a new glass.”

You can also model healthy relationships and build further trust between you by apologizing when you mess up. For example, if you get frustrated during a child’s tantrum, you could say, “I got upset when you were crying, and I raised my voice. I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll try to stay calm.” Admitting your mistakes teaches your child no one is perfect, and we don’t expect them to be, either.

Unwanted Behaviors Are Often Developmentally Appropriate

Tantrums and defiance, frustrating as they can be for caregivers, are all part of healthy child development. But changes in your child’s baseline may mean they need extra mental and behavioral health support. For example, if your child is having more tantrums that last longer — or their separation anxiety seems to get worse rather than better over time — it’s a good idea to reach out to your pediatrician. Remember: You know your child better than else, so trust your gut. 

Mental Health Concerns Are More Common Than You Think

If your child is struggling, it can be difficult to ask for help. You may feel like your child’s behavioral concerns are your fault, or you may be afraid of what it means if your child receives a diagnosis. Mental health concerns are more common than you think, even in the early childhood years. And more often than not, they’re not the result of anything you did or didn’t do as a caregiver.

Your Child’s Pediatrician Is Your Best Resource

Your pediatrician is a great resource for how to support your child’s mental health and overall healthy development. You can also reach out to your child’s doctor anytime with questions or concerns. 

At Children’s Wisconsin, we understand that a child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. That’s why we take a comprehensive, family-centered approach to care. At all Children’s Wisconsin primary care offices, behavioral health consultants work alongside our pediatricians to support the mental and behavioral health of children from infancy through young adulthood. Together, we can help you determine what’s developmentally appropriate and when your child may need some additional support, including a referral to a mental health professional.