Anyone at any age can experience a mental health challenge.
Addressing and taking care of your child’s mental, behavioral or emotional health when they’re young can make a big impact on their overall well-being as they grow.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Rady Children’s Hospital’s KidSTART program to help share some tips and techniques for navigating big feelings and all of life’s ups and downs.
Big feelings are an important part to a child’s development. Help your child move through their emotions with soothing strategies like:
- Taking deep breaths
- Providing comfort in the form of hugs or a soft blanket
- Creating a safe space by using a soft voice or getting down on their level
Your child will model how you interact with yourself and the world around you. Model positive behavior for them by:
- Expressing gratitude to family, friends, teachers or anyone who provides a service
- Using positive and kind commands
- Actively listening to your child and repeating back what they say
Positive self-talk during tough times can make a big difference. Teach your child self-compassion and empathy by:
- Letting your child make choices and help out
- Speaking to yourself kindly in front of your child
- Allowing your child to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment
- Remining your child of their strengths when they are having tough time
The most important thing you can do for your child is to ask for help when you need it. Rady’s KidsSTART center is a resource that can help provide services for little ones with complex needs. You can find out more about their services and how to get connected on their website: https://www.rchsd.org/programs-services/kidstart/