What every child needs for good mental health

Provided by Seven Counties Services, Inc.

You know that healthy food, comfortable and warm clothing, a good night's sleep, and shelter are important in meeting your children's physical needs. However, what your children need for good mental health may not be as clear. Good mental and emotional health is just as critical in child development as their physical health, and even often can impact their physical health. Good mental health helps your children to think clearly, to develop social skills, and to learn new skills. It also helps youngsters develop self-confidence, high self-esteem and healthy emotions.

Unconditional love from parents, guardians and other caregivers is key to good mental health in children. Children who know they are loved regardless of their report cards, their athletic skills or their talents grow a healthy confidence in themselves. Mistakes, defeats and disappointments may happen, but children should know they are accepted and loved no matter what.

Children also thrive on attention and honest praise. Being an active participant in their lives…whether it is learning a new game with them at home or attending one of their school events…shows them your interest in them. Help assure your children by smiling at them and often talking with them…not at them. Talk with them about mistakes and disappointments, both theirs and your own, as a way to convey that no one is perfect and how we can learn from these events. Even though an event may not have turned out how we would have wished, point out that often the enjoyment simply was in the process.

Encourage and make time for children to play. Play is essential to healhty child development. It helps children be creative and use their imaginations, solve problems, develop self-control, and learn to work with others. Remember, play does not need to be organized or even involve you. Rolling around the yard or park in a cardboard box with neighborhood kids can be just as meaningful or more so sometimes than an organized "playdate."

Provide your children with guidance and instructive discipline, which always should be fair and consistent. Children need the chance to try new things and develop new skills. It is up to you as a parent to teach them that certain behaviors are unacceptable and what the consequences can be for that behavior.

Help your children know that it's okay sometimes to be afraid. Fear often comes from something we do know about or understand. Talk with your children about their fears. Help provide a safe and secure home for them. And above all, be loving, patient and reassuring.