Mental health and wellbeing

Young children may be knowledgeable about mental health if they or a family member have been diagnosed with a health condition. However, many children will show signs of mental health concerns without understanding them.

Center of the Developing Child at Harvard University writes:

"Significant mental health problems can and do occur in young children. Children can show clear characteristics of anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as autism, at a very early age. That said, young children respond to and process emotional experiences and traumatic events in ways that are very different from adults and older children…

"The emotional well-being of young children is directly tied to the functioning of their caregivers and the families in which they live."

EYLF learning outcomes

Mental health and wellbeing aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework as it:

• supports mental wellbeing (3.1)
• support's children’s health and wellbeing (3.3)
• promotes wellbeing.