Mental health in the early years refers to the emotional and psychological well-being of young children, typically from birth to age five. This stage of development is crucial, as it lays the foundation for a child’s future mental health, social skills, and overall development. Early experiences significantly influence a child's ability to manage emotions, form relationships, and cope with challenges.
Understanding the importance of mental health at this stage cannot be overstated. Positive mental health supports children in developing resilience, empathy, and the ability to communicate their feelings effectively. Conversely, adverse experiences, such as trauma or neglect, can lead to long-term psychological issues. Therefore, early intervention is key to fostering a supportive environment that nurtures mental well-being.
To support mental health in early years’ settings, several strategies are implemented at Britannica International School. Fostering strong relationships between children and educators is essential. This involves creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere where children feel safe to express themselves. Additionally, teaching emotional literacy, helping children recognise and articulate their feelings and teaching coping strategies —enables the children to navigate their emotions more effectively. We integrate mindfulness activities into our daily routines, enabling children to participate in calming practices. Our curriculum emphasises social-emotional learning, fostering essential skills like empathy and cooperation.
To support mental health, we cultivate a nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore and express themselves. Promoting a "have-a-go" attitude builds their confidence in trying new experiences. We offer various avenues for self-expression, including art and storytelling, encouraging them to communicate their emotions creatively.
Through role-playing and discussions about feelings, children learn to recognise emotions in others. We introduce calming techniques, such as breathing exercises and quiet reflection spaces, equipping them to manage their emotions effectively. Regular check-ins and guided conversations enhance empathy, helping them understand their own feelings and those of their peers.
Prioritising mental health in the early years is vital for children’s overall development. By fostering nurturing relationships, promoting emotional literacy, and engaging with families, we can create a supportive environment where every child thrives.
Reception participated in various community events, including a morning breakfast, yoga sessions, morning runs, and mindfulness practices integrated into our daily routines to support Mental Health Week. We read the story "On Sudden Hill" by Linda Sarah and Benjie Davies, which explores themes of friendship and feeling left out. Additionally, we initiated a STEM activity using boxes, allowing the children to unleash their creativity by transforming them into spaceships, rockets, skyscrapers, and other imaginative structures, encouraging teamwork, imagination, fine motor skills, and problem-solving.
This week, Nursery has had a fantastic time exploring the story “The Enormous Turnip.” It sparked great conversations and activities, allowing the children to dive into character descriptions and discuss how each character helps one another. They creatively imagined who else might be strong enough to pull out the turnip and shared brilliant ideas about other enormous things around us. This inspired some wonderful artwork, as the children painted turnips with descriptions in our Art area.
What a busy week we've had in Pre-Nursery! We participated in whole school mental health celebrations, starting with a delicious community breakfast where we shared food and laughter with friends and teachers. We also enjoyed a yoga session, fostering calm and connection. This week, we continued to explore the classic story “The Three Little Pigs,” practising storytelling and bringing the characters to life through acting. Additionally, the children enjoyed sensory play with water beads and glitter, having fun searching for the number 3 while counting three objects.
Margo Palacios
Reception A
