How parents can support a child’s mental health?
As parents, it’s important to ensure that children feel supported and secure through all stages of development. If a child is facing any kind of difficulty in coping with life, then a parent should seek professional help to support the child’s overall health and development. There are many ways that parents can support a child’s mental health.
1. Create a routine and set clear boundaries at home
Uncertainty about day-to-day schedules can lead to a lot of stress or anxiety in a child’s life. Creating a general routine at home can provide some relief and peace for your child. Having clear boundaries is also important for your child to know what is expected to do at a certain time at home and can minimize feelings of frustration from both parent and child.
2. Watch for behaviour changes
It’s very normal for kids to go through changes in behaviour while progressing through different developmental stages. If you notice that your child has become more withdrawn or isolated from their friends, family or routine, it may be a sign that they’re experiencing a situation or feeling that they don’t know how to process on their own and be with them.
3. Let them know they are loved and supported
For a child, one of the most important things you can provide is an environment where they know they are loved and important. They know they are supported no matter what they do, and this increases their feelings of security and safety in the home.
4. Talk about emotions and feelings regularly
Kids learn so much by watching their parents, including behaviours when it comes to emotional expression and regulation. Try to discuss different emotions you felt throughout your day and then talk to them about how you handled your emotions in those specific situations. This teaches them that these feelings are normal, and also it gives vocabulary to express proper feelings and provides solutions for handling situations.
5. Model healthy coping skills
You can help your children to learn how to deal with their emotions in a healthy way by using the following ways.
- Practising coping skills at home with your children.
- Talking or discussing how to handle different situations with them.
- Doing activities such as deep breathing, yoga, listening to favourite music, making art (painting, colouring, doodling) or going for walks can be great strategies for coping with feelings.
5. Keep communication open and honest
Open and honest communication helps children to understand that you are there to support and listen to them without judgment. It also increases the trust between you and your child for coming to you about any issue.
6. Provide positive feedback and encouragement
Children love to receive positive feedback and learn that they’ve done something well. It develops feelings of pride and confidence in them, which can stick with a child long term. In addition, providing positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviours will often encourage children to repeat that behaviour.
7. Encourage joyful movement
Physical activity provides a necessary outlet for kids, which is important for both physical and mental health. Helping children find a type of movement they enjoy, even from an early age, is a great way to ensure they remain engaged and interested. Participating in movement together with your child can also be a great way to get them involved.
8. Keep a watch on the child’s eating habits and proper sleep
Healthy eating habits and enough sleep are very important things in a child’s overall development. Unhealthy eating habits and sleep insufficiency can affect a child’s immunity as well as cognitive functioning.
9. Involve them in decision-making.
As adults, we feel we know what’s best for our children, and so children are often left out of the decision-making process. Including your child in making decisions can help them feel that they are heard and valued in their home. It also builds their confidence level. You can involve your child in the decision-making process in the day-to-day tasks, like what should be prepared for dinner or which place to visit at the weekend, etc.
10. Get professional help if needed.
Recognizing when your child needs help is a crucial skill to have as a parent. There may be times when it can be overwhelming or frustrating to try to handle your child’s behaviours or respond appropriately to their emotions. Don’t be afraid to find and ask for help. It can be a great benefit to both you and your child.
The author is a RCI Registered Clinical Psychologist, Consultant for Mental Health Services At Swastivishwa Institute