5 Tips to Support Your Children’s Mental Health
A positive, caring relationship with you has a direct impact on your child’s mental health.
Here are five ways to support your children’s mental health and well-being:
- Talk to your children.
Children don’t always have the right words to express their emotions, thoughts or negative experiences. That’s why it’s essential to check in with them regularly.
Help them talk openly about their emotions by asking questions like:
- It seems like you’re sad. Do you want to talk about it?
- How do you feel about this situation?
- We are going through a difficult time. Can I tell you how I feel?
Please take the opportunity to talk to them about life events or stressors. Make sure to do this in an age-appropriate way. It’s essential to keep in mind what information your child can tolerate. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re planning to have a difficult conversation:
- Make sure you are in an environment where the child feels safe.
- Use easy-to-understand language and share your feelings with him.
- Give your child the opportunity to talk to you about their thoughts and feelings.
- Be aware of your emotional state and take a break if you feel exhausted.
- Consult a mental health professional if you need help discussing a complex topic with your child.
Modelling a positive attitude for your child is also helpful in teaching him how to manage his emotions. For example, “I’m disappointed that I didn’t bake these cupcakes well. But that’s okay. I’ll try to make them again another time.” Or “Running around that track seems difficult. But I think if I go slowly and at a steady pace, I can do it.”
- Practice active listening
When you initiate a conversation, especially a difficult one, give your child the opportunity to express themselves genuinely. This will help validate their feelings and experiences. These cues can help establish a productive and meaningful conversation:
- Stop what you are doing and give your child your full attention.
- Maintain eye contact to show that you are paying attention to him.
- Get down to your child’s eye level to help them feel safe and in control.
- Repeat what he says and think about it to make sure you understand correctly.
- Encourage playtime
Even in difficult times, create a reassuring and positive environment for your children. This will allow them to play and do activities that help them relax. What activities do they enjoy that can help improve their mood? Here are some ways to encourage positive play when your child is feeling sad or stressed:
- Take him outside to a park or open space where he can run, jump, or tumble. This helps relieve stress and negative emotions.
- Set aside time to paint or draw so he can express his feelings.
- Make time for socialization with other children. This can teach him how to manage and understand different emotions.
- Establish a routine
A routine lets us know what to expect and is often reassuring. Please work with your child to structure their day. By involving them in the decision-making process, you give them a sense of control. It also helps you create a sense of security. Here are some tips to help you plan a realistic routine for your child:
- Be clear and specific. When children have trouble sticking to a routine, it’s usually because they don’t understand it. Or they don’t know how to approach it.
- Write down the routine. Involve your child in creating a to-do list or schedule. This will help him remember the routine and reinforce his sense of responsibility.
- Be realistic and flexible. Planned meals and bedtimes are essential, but listen to your child if they are hungry or sleepy.
- Create a safe and cheerful home environment
Monitor your child’s media use, both in terms of content and time spent on it. This includes TV, movies, games, and the Internet. Set up parental controls and talk to your child about Internet safety.
Do not discuss serious family issues in front of your child. Topics such as finances, marital problems or illnesses can be worrying for children.