With all the following information provided regarding mental health tips for kids, I would like to encourage parents to implement these things into their daily lives. Doing so will ensure that your child’s mental health is top priority. Prioritizing the mental health of your child will allow them to grow into mature and responsible adults. Providing an environment that is safe for them to grow and communicate will also deter defiant behaviors. Kids have the ability to thrive when they know that their parents care and are willing to prioritize their needs. With that being said, I would like to share 5 mental health tips for kids that parents need to know.
1. Feelings Identification
Quite often when dealing with little humans they are incapable of explaining and expressing their feelings appropriately. These behaviors are exhibited through temper tantrums, crying, defiant behaviors, and the destruction of toys and other property. Instead of the initial response resulting in some form of punishment, set aside the time to talk with your child and ask the three W’s (Who, What, and Why). Having these conversations promotes emotional intelligence because as the parent you get to help your child identify whether they are sad, angry, happy, excited, disgusted, disappointed, or scared. Doing so allows your child to immediately respond to your 3 W questions regarding their emotions with a word instead of a shrug of the shoulders, them saying I don’t know, or nothing at all. Try watching the Disney movie “Inside Out” with your child. This movie is all about our emotions and is a good visual tool to use when explaining emotions and emotional regulation with your child.
As adults, we must also be aware of our own behaviors when in the eyesight or within earshot of our children. Children often look at their parents and their reactions to situations these are referred to as model behaviors; how we as adults react, behave, and respond. Be sure to be the parent to practice what you preach and not say “do as I say and not as I do”. Research games to play with your children and other tools that spark conversations regarding feeling identification. One useful tool is the Feeling Thermometer. Have your child to point to a certain temperature on the thermometer to help further explain their emotions and the level that they are on. Another useful one is using Skittles or M&Ms. They’ll enjoy this one and you will too because I mean who doesn’t like candy? Each color of the candy represents an emotion, before you or the child eats it, they must talk about a time they’ve felt that emotion.
2. Coping Skills
Let’s look back at feeling identification and emotional regulation. When your child is having a moment teach them coping skills to help with their emotions such as counting, bubble breathing, time alone, listening to music, and for some exercising. Coping skills are used to enhance control over behavior or provide psychological comfort. Time in and Time out are other coping mechanisms that are useful when children are experiencing negative emotions or behaviors. Time in communicates to your child that you are there to help them calm down and come to a conclusion or solution. Time out communicates that you are giving the child time alone to calm down and think about what he or she has done. Also depending on the severity of some situations have a crisis plan in place. A crisis plan is having people on standby such as family, friends, a therapist, or other resources when the coping skills used are not enough.
3. Active Listening
Everyone wants to be heard right? There are a lot of benefits to actively listening to what your child has to say and creating an environment that is safe for them to be able to come and talk to you. Listening to your child can sometimes teach us something as parents, lets refer to the saying “you can teach old dog’s new tricks”. Listening to your child shows and tells them that you care. When he or she approaches you and says, “mom, dad, I need to talk”. Stop what you are doing and give them your full attention and make eye contact. Even try getting down to their level and not standing over them or in front of them with your arms crossed because this body language can make them feel as if they are going to be punished for wanting and trying to talk to you. When your child is taking use minimal encouragers such as (the nodding of the head, saying I hear you, I see, and uhm hmm). This allows them to know that you are right there in the conversation with them and hearing what they are saying. Another way to actively listen is to summarize what they have said and clarifying. Repeating back what they have said to make sure you understand. And please, I repeat PLEASE do not interrupt them when they are talking.
4. Stability
We all want and deserve stability. Providing stability for your child is conducive to their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. What does providing stability look like? Well, I’m glad you asked. For starters allow your child to be a child and only be concerned with things that children are to be concerned with. Having daily routines and chores also provides stability instead of the child being all over the place and doing what they want to do. This also teaches them to be independent and responsible. Daily routines would be waking up in the morning and washing your face and brushing your teeth. Before going to bed at night using the restroom, saying a prayer, and having a bedtime. We all know what chores are, but I will still provide some examples. Having your child to wash the dishes, take out the trash, clean his or her room, sweeping or mopping the floor, and picking up their toys and or shoes. Stability is nursing and love. Let’s show our children that we care. Be in the business of raising strong, intelligent, dependable, and responsible girls and boys into women and men.
5. Family Time
Family time is very beneficial to the mental health and stability of a child. Children that have family that is supportive, and caring are less likely to display negative behaviors. Family time is also an opportunity to connect and talk about each other’s day. Putting away devices because they are a huge distraction; and focusing on each other. This is the time to learn one another and also have fun together. Family time is watching a movie together, talking at the dinner table, going for a ride, taking a trip, or even going out for ice-cream. There are several activities that promote happy and healthy children without you having to break the bank. These experiences over time allows your child to feel important and loves. This time is valuable and provides the opportunity for your child to adopt values from his or her parents.
Ms. Shelnette Daniels, is a Mentor, Life, and Dating and Relationship Coach. Located in Greenville, MS. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from Delta State University in the Spring of 2015 and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the fall of 2019.
Ms. Daniels has experience in conducting sessions with children, families, women, and men. Information provided in the article regarding mental health tips for kids was drawn from personal and professional work experience.
You can connect with Ms. Daniels by clicking the link below.
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