Mental Wellbeing

The foundations for a child’s healthy emotional development are known to be laid down in their early years. Positive early experiences are particularly important. Feelings of attachment, security and positive stimulation within loving relationships help to strengthen a child’s developing emotional and social systems and make them more likely to thrive and become healthy adults.

At Imagination preschool we offer opportunities for play and learning that acknowledge children's beliefs and cultural backgrounds. We do mindful exercises throughout the day so that children can recognise and self-regulate their emotions.  We also providing opportunities for children to talk about their feelings without critical or negative judgment, allowing them the space to be acknowledged and heard.

practical ideas for supporting young children’s wellbeing:

Playing outside

Research shows that children have a need to be outside, taking opportunities to explore, discover, climb and run. Make sure you involve children in using your outdoor space by asking them to help create obstacle courses for one another, asking them to think about what tools and resources they will need.

Or you could provide materials for the children to make dens outdoors. Could they have a picnic in their den?

Use emotional language

We need to help children understand their feelings and using emotional language will help give them the vocabulary they need to understand their own feelings, as well as other people’s. Even when children are babies we can start talking about their feelings. For example, when a baby is crying to be fed, you can say: “It’s okay, I know you are feeling hungry. I am going to feed you now.”