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In May, we observe Mental Health Awareness. The key word is awareness. Most
people don’t think of the impact of mental illness on babies. But ignoring mental
illness in early childhood is a precursor to mental illness later in adulthood. That’s
why it’s important to pay extra attention to small children.
Mentl health is a result of how babies and toddlers feel about themselves, other
people and their environment. Do they like to play and be creative? Can they
adapt to change or cope with stressful situations? A lot will depend on how safe
and secure children feel about themselves and their environment.
RaisingChildren.net offers guidelines to pinpoint a young person’s level of mental
wellness from birth to 3 years old. In the first year, pay close attention to how they
sleep and eat, and whether they engage with other people. Notice how they
respond to things around them. From newborn to age 1, mentally healthy infants
will start to make eye contact, copy your gestures, cry when in need and calm down
when those needs are met.
At ages 1-2, if your toddler has good mental health, they’ll probably get upset when
separated from you and at the same time, learn how to cope during brief
separations. The range of emotions may go from full blown tantrums to showing
empathy for others, which is normal. When people talk about the “terrible twos,”
they have most likely encountered the “push and pull” behavior of children being
emotionally attached to being detached, showing independence in other people
and other things.
Between ages 2-3, signs that your toddler is in good mental shape include: enjoying
being around people other than you; learning to share and take turns, using words
to express their emotions; and building healthy relationships with other people.
You can promote optimal conditions to foster good mental health by establishing
routines such as bedtime and mealtime rituals. This creates predictability, which is
crucial for helping children develop trust. Also childproofing your home and
keeping conflict with your partner to a minimum helps children feel safe and
secure. Finally, don’t forget about your own mental health. If you find yourself
snapping at your children or grandchildren often, give yourself a time out, remind
yourself that they are children, and regain your balance.
If your child was born prematurely, or with physical and mental disabilities, they
may not fit into these timelines. Talk to their pediatrician and adopt goals and
guidelines that fit their level of development. For more information on early
childhood mental health, visit the Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health and the
RaisingChildrenNetwork.
