May is National Children Mental Health Awareness Day and Week.

According to the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, understanding feelings and emotions is critical to children’s overall development. As adults, it is our job to teach children to understand and deal with their emotions in healthy and positive ways. For more information, download the Educator’s and Family’s Guide to Mental Health and Self-Care.

Teachers/Providers: Support positive mental health conversations between families and their children, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Start by sharing this downloadable resource:

1. E-mail to parents and families
2. Share on Facebook and Twitter
3. Download, print, and distribute to parents and families
4. Place on the family communication board

Parents/Families: Helping to recognize and identify emotions also gives children the skills needed to be ready for kindergarten. Use the tips and activities below to teach your children ways to express their feelings appropriately. Start by using real-life examples or other “teachable moments.”

Open PDF in a new window to download and print.