Resources about mental health

Behavior Communicates

It is the job of all early childhood educators to understand what behavior means. When a child behaves in a way that indicates a need for extra help and support, ask the question, “What is really going on here?” Be a detective to discover possible messages in the child’s behavior. Is the child in question really saying…I have a need that isn’t being met. *I feel hungry, tired or ill. *I need help learning how to interact with others and develop relationships. I’m lonely. I want attention. *I’m bored or overwhelmed. *I feel sad, scared, anxious, or angry. *I want… I don’t know how to do it. *The activity is too hard for me. I’m frustrated! *I don’t understand the directions. I’m confused! I feel uncomfortable. *The room is too noisy and crowded and the lights are too bright. *It’s hard for me to sit still at circle time.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with behavior guidance mental health PBS on January 14, 2010 #

Social Emotional Development

Social-emotional development involves the ability to form close, secure relationships and to experience, regulate, and express emotions. Social-emotional growth is affected by a variety of factors, such as an individual’s unique biology and temperament, as well as life experiences. * “Social” refers to how individuals interact with others. * “Emotional” refers to how individuals feel about themselves, others, and the world.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with social/emotional social development mental health development on January 14, 2010 #

Guidance

As young children grow, they are learning how to develop relationships with others and to be members of a community. All children need support to learn and achieve these important life skills. The process adults use to teach and support this learning is known as guidance. Effective guidance assumes the following conditions: * Respect, understanding, and appreciation for every child’s unique qualities. * Knowledge that childrens mistaken behaviors provide learning opportunities. * An encouraging community where every child belongs and feels safe. * A developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive setting.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with guidance discipline behavior mental health on January 14, 2010 #

Daily Transitions

Young children experience many changes during their day. Daily transitions in early care and education programs take place during an activity, or when children move from one activity to another or one location to another. Transitions include: * Arriving at or departing from a program. * Exchanging toys, entering or leaving a play area during free choice time. * Cleaning up after morning activities and starting a group circle time. * Getting dressed to go outside to play. * Shifting from playing with friends to working with a teacher/therapist on a particular skill.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with transitions mental health on January 14, 2010 #

Why Do Children Behave Aggressively?

Aggressive behavior—hitting, pinching, biting, and other acts through which children may hurt themselves or others—is a way children communicate by using their bodies. Children behave aggressively for a variety of reasons. Children may hit because they feel angry and frustrated. They may kick because they are still learning how to cooperate, share, and understand another person’s viewpoint. Children may throw toys when the environment is too noisy, chaotic, and busy.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with aggression behavior mental health social development on January 14, 2010 #

Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children: Information for Military Families from Our Part

As the United States' involvement in war abroad continues, thousands of families and children are being impacted. In response to this need, the TACSEI Primary Partners have compiled the following list of resources for military families.

Filed under Parents Early Childhood and tagged with mental health social/emotional reintegration deployment military on March 09, 2009 #

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information provides free information available for odering, including coloring books for children.

Filed under Parents and tagged with well being drug abuse alcohol abuse mental health on October 26, 2008 #

National Mental Health Information Center

SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center is a one-stop, national clearinghouse for free information about mental health, including publications, references, and referrals to local and national resources and organizations.

Filed under Parents and tagged with well being mental health on October 26, 2008 #

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