Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing of Children

The first 1001 days (from conception to the age of 2) are really important for a child’s emotional and physical development.

If children are emotionally well and have good mental health, it helps them to develop coping skills and resilience as they grow into adults.

Babies are born ready to be sociable. Babies who have sensitive and loving relationships and secure attachments in the first 2 years of life, are able to develop their own identity and self esteem and this can have long lasting benefits to their health, development and wellbeing in later life.

Babies love looking at their parent’s face and will enjoy close and loving communication from an early age. Parents can support their young children’s emotional wellbeing by playing with them, reading to them, talking to them and noticing what they are trying to communicate. Parents who respond sensitively to their child’s needs can help them to feel safe, loved and know that they matter. Children are also able to learn how to regulate their emotions by learning from their parent.

In Hampshire we recommend the Five to Thrive approach to support the emotional wellbeing of young children. This focuses on the 5 key activities that children need every day; a bit like having 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables every day. The 5 activities are: Respond, Cuddle, Relax, Play and Talk These activities are our ‘building blocks for a healthy brain’. More information about online groups that are available to learn more about the Five to Thrive approach is available at Hampshire Healthy Families .

If you are worried about your child’s development or their emotional wellbeing or mental health, please get in touch with your Health Visitor.

More information is available at:

• Baby play ideas
• BBC – Tiny happy people
• Getting to know your baby app
• Hampshire Healthy Families website
• Icon – Coping with a crying baby