October 4, 2021 Parental Mental Health Impacts on Children Parents and caregivers of young children play a critical role in a child’s brain development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), parenting behavior has a significant influence on children’s mental health and may contribute to the development of emotional or behavior problems in children. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 20% of U.S. adults and 17% of children ages 6 to 17 are experiencing mental illness or a mental health disorder. Most prevalent among both parents and children today are anxiety disorders (19%) and depression (7%), followed by post-traumatic stress disorder (4%). The CDC states that in a recent study, one in 14 children aged 0–17 years had a parent who reported poor mental health, and those children were more likely to have poor general health; to have a mental, emotional, or developmental disability; to have adverse childhood experiences such as exposure to violence or family disruptions; and to be living in poverty. According to Mental Health America, some mental health conditions have a genetic link. However, factors like a child’s genetic vulnerability, the parent’s behavior, the child’s understanding of the parent’s illness, and the degree of family stability could also play a role in whether or not the children of parents with mental illness will develop social, emotional, or behavioral problems. Talking About Mental Illness with Children Talking to children about mental illness can be an opportunity for parents to provide their children with information, support, and guidance. When talking with children about mental illness, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry suggests: communicating in a straightforward manner communicating at a level that is appropriate to a child’s age and development level Preschool-age children don’t need details, and the focus should be on what they can see (sadness, anger, etc.). School-age children might require more details and they might have questions. In that case, it’s important for parents and caregivers to answer questions honestly and reassure them about their feelings. Teenagers can handle details, and they might ask specific questions. They respond better to open dialogue versus lectures. having the discussion when the child feels safe and comfortable watching their child’s reaction during the discussion slowing down or backing up if the child becomes confused or looks upset Positive Parenting Tips In addition to being open and honest with children, other parental interventions can prevent negative outcomes for future generations. Parents and caregivers can do the following to decrease the risk of mental illness to children: Ensuring that the child is loved Assuring the child that they are not to blame Enlisting help and support from family members Creating a stable home environment Participating in psychotherapy as a family Promoting inner strength and good coping skills in the child Enlisting help from outside the family to improve the family environment Encouraging a strong relationship with a healthy adult, friendships, and healthy interests outside the home for the child Books to Help Discuss a Parent or Caregiver’s Mental Disorder Books can help guide the conversation about a family member’s mental illness. Here are some suggestions: Binky Bunny Wants to Know about Bipolar Disorder by Kathleen Boros The Bipolar Bear Family: When a Parent Has Bipolar Disorder by Angela Holloway Wishing Wellness: A Workbook for Children of Parents with Mental Illness by Lisa Clarke Why Is Dad So Mad? by Seth Kastle Managing Mental Illness and Parenting The typical stresses of parenthood can be extra challenging on top of a mental illness. It’s important to practice self care, as it promotes good physical and mental health. Work on proper eating habits, getting enough exercise and rest, practicing relaxation techniques, and accepting help from family and friends when things feel difficult. To find support or more information on living with a mental health condition, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website.
Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Part VII Childhood Mental Health Mental health is the overall wellness of how people think, regulate feelings, and behave. Mental health is important at every stage of life, including childhood. Mental health disorders in children are generally defined as delays or disruptions in developing age-appropriate thinking, behaviors, social skills or regulation of emotions. These disorders can cause distress to children and disrupt their ability to function well at home, in school, or in other social situations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7.1 percent of children ages three to 17 (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety, while 3.2 percent of children aged three to 17 (approximately 1.9 million) have diagnosed depression. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that one in five teenagers between 13 and 18 will experience at least one “severe mental disorder” during their life, as will roughly 13 percent of kids between ages five and 15 years. Featured Resources A Guide for Families: Childhood Mental Health According to the CDC, symptoms of mental disorders often start in early childhood, though some disorders may develop during the teenage years. Learn about common childhood mental health disorders, warning signs, first steps for families, and available local services. Services and Resources for Children with Mental Health Disorders Early diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental disorders. Families play an important role in supporting their children through struggles and treatment. Check out our list of resources for available services, more information, and tools. Children’s Books About Mental Health There are various children’s books available that parents can use to help their children understand what specific mental health disorders are and how to cope with them. Here’s a list of some titles. How Parental Mental Illness Impacts Children Parents and caregivers of young children play a critical role in a child’s brain development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), parenting behavior has a significant influence on children’s mental health and may contribute to the development of emotional or behavior problems in children. Learn some positive parenting tips, where to find support, and how to talk to children about mental health. Supporting Children Who Have Anxiety Anxiety disorders in children are persistent fears, worries, or anxiety that disrupt their ability to participate in play, school, or typical age-appropriate social situations. Parents and caregivers can implement several practices at home to help children cope with their anxiety. Learn more. Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheets for Educators and Childcare Providers The Differences Among Mental, Developmental and Behavioral Conditions Mental, developmental, and behavioral conditions often get grouped together because they affect thought processes and behavior. The term “dual diagnosis” is often used to refer to children and adults who have developmental disability and/or behavioral difficulties with co-occurring mental illness. While these conditions can affect children in similar ways, they are very much different. Learn how. Learn More Additional resources and information can be found on the Trying Together website at www.tryingtogether.org/parenting-resources.
June 9, 2021 Healthy Eating Guides: At the Grocery Store Healthy Eating Guides Do you want to learn how to promote good nutrition and healthy eating at home? Check out the following healthy eating guides and more from Nationwide Children’s Hospital! What topics are covered? The guides include information on food groups, portion sizes, how to read food labels to better understand ingredients, how to save money at the store, and tips for shopping in your local grocery store. All resources are available in English and Spanish. To get started, check out the following resources: Plan Your Meals Using MyPlate Nutrition Facts, Labels, and Ingredients Picking Your Dairy Picking Your Protein Unit Prices: Healthy Weight and Nutrition View More Resources To view the full list, visit the Nationwide Children’s Hospital website! For other healthy eating tools, read our news post about MyPlate. For extra fun, try Grocery Store Bingo!
April 23, 2021 Art Activities that Encourage Social-Emotional Development Play helps to build social-emotional skills. When children practice social-emotional skills, they gain access to a toolkit of strategies that help them build and maintain relationships; recognize, cope with, and express their emotions; collaborate effectively with others; and more. To encourage the social-emotional development of your young child, add opportunities for art and creative expression into your daily routines! Activity Lists Children naturally explore and practice social-emotional skills during play, and creative art activities are a great way to introduce your child to new topics in a non-threatening, playful way. In addition to exploring social-emotional skills, creative art activities also provide children with opportunities to build their confidence, problem solve, explore their creativity, and more! For activity ideas to get you started, view the resource lists below! Hands-On Activities 5 Art Activities For Social Emotional Learning, Better Kids Art Activities for Social Emotional Learning, Pathway 2 Success 50 Activities that Support Social-Emotional Learning, The Art of Education University Mindful Art Activities for Kids, Empowering Education Online Games and Resources Online Coloring Games, PBS Kids Online Teamwork Games, PBS Kids Online Music Games, PBS Kids
Mindfulness for Children About According to the Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley University of California, mindfulness is the practice of “maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment through a gentle, nurturing lens.” When practiced, mindfulness techniques can relieve stress, decrease blood pressure, and regulate your breathing. Mindfulness techniques also provide opportunities for children and adults to practice self-control, compassion, kindness, and emotional regulation. Mindfulness Guide To help families learn about mindfulness, the New York Times created an online guide for families. The guide explains mindfulness and provides strategies for infants, toddlers, young children, older children, and teenagers. Additional resources are also provided. To learn more, view the guide! Additional Resources To learn more about mindfulness, view the resources listed below: Mindfulness Toolkit, Transforming Education Mindfulness for Kids, Mindful 25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children and Teens, Positive Psychology Mindful Art Activities for Kids, Empowering Education Ease your anxious child: 6 simple mindfulness exercises to try today, Motherly Rainbow Relaxation, The Mental Health Teacher Belly Breathing: Mindfulness for Children, The Mental Health Teacher Kids Meditation – Square Breathing (Focus & Calm), MyLife Yoga for Kids!, STORYHIVE Free Smiling Mind App
Respecting Your Child’s Boundaries Respecting your child’s boundaries matters. Every person has their own preferences when it comes to physical touch, and that includes young children. While touch is a fundamental need for babies and toddlers, it is important to teach children that they are allowed to set boundaries and have the self-confidence to stick to them. This helps them advocate for themselves and plays an important role in teaching them how to identify and get away from inappropriate or dangerous interactions with adults or others. Your child may not be comfortable hugging a person they do not know (even if that person is a family member), or they may have moments where they do not want to be tickled or touched. While it can be difficult to hear your child say that they do not want to hug or touch at that time, caregivers should not assume that a child is comfortable with an interaction or demand that they participate in that interaction. By asking for consent, caregivers help their children identify and vocalize their boundaries. These skills not only help them in the present moment but also benefit them long-term. Resources If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of teaching your child about boundaries and strategies to support, check out the following resources: Teaching Consent, Safe Secure Kids Respecting Your Child’s Personal Space and Boundaries, Missing Children’s Network Please Don’t Handle the Children, Janet Lansbury Teaching Kids About Boundaries, Child Mind Institute Respecting a Child’s Right to Say No & Make Choices About Their Own Body, The Pragmatic Parent 5 Tips for Teaching Your Kids about Boundaries, All Pro Dad
Child Wellness Brochures, Fred Rogers Center About Inspired by the legacy and work of Fred Rogers, the Fred Rogers Center created free, downloadable Child Wellness Brochures to support children and caregivers on a variety of topics related to child wellness. As Fred Rogers said, “Even in hard times such as this, you are just what your child needs.” View the Guides The Fred Rogers Center’s Child Wellness Brochures provide information and resources on the following topics: Grief, Addiction, Cancer, and Divorce & Separation. Hard copies are also available to order. To order copies, contact info@fredrogerscenter.org. More Information For more information, visit the Fred Rogers Center website.
Self-Care: Resources for Families Self-Care Matters The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for children and adults alike. While it can seem impossible to juggle both your needs and your family’s everyday needs, make sure to prioritize your well-being as a parent or caregiver. This will not only benefit your health and wellbeing but will also benefit your family. About To help families identify ways to prioritize self-care, Child Mind Institute created the resource, “Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus.” The resource explores strategies families can incorporate, including setting boundaries, prioritizing healthy choices, reconnecting with things you enjoy, and more. Self-Care Resources For information on how to prioritize self-care, view the full article by Child Mind Institute and check out the following resources: A Guide to Self-Care for Parents: Why Making Time For Yourself Matters, Waterford Importance of Self-Care: Why Parents Need Time Out to Recharge, HealthyChildren 25 Simple Self-Care Tools for Parents, Psychology Today Self-Care for Parents, PBS Kids Raising Socially Conscious Kids: Self Care for Parents, First Up Five Things You Should Know About Stress, National Institute of Mental Health
Social-Emotional Development: Family Resources Support your child’s development. Social-emotional skills play an important role in the lives of parents, caregivers, and children. If you are interested in learning about social-emotional development, activities, tools, and more, check out our list of resources below. Social-Emotional Development Developing Social-Emotional Skills, ZERO TO THREE Building Social and Emotional Skills at Home, NAEYC List of Developmental Milestones, CDC Milestone Tracker App, CDC Helping Kids Express Their Emotions, PBS Kids for Parents Emotions & Self-Awareness, PBS Kids for Parents Social Skills, PBS Kids for Parents How to Help Your Child Develop Empathy, ZERO TO THREE How Children Really Learn Empathy, Janet Lansbury Being The Person Our Children Confide In, Janet Lansbury No Angry Kids – Fostering Emotional Literacy In Our Children, Janet Lansbury Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Episodes, Fred Rogers Productions How Technology Affects Kids’ Social Emotional Learning, Common Sense Media Self-Esteem and Confidence Developing Self-Esteem in the Early Years, ZERO TO THREE Empowering a Passive or “Shy” Child, Janet Lansbury Nurturing Your Child’s Independence, PBS Kids for Parents Most Effective Ways to Help Kids Who Are Too Hard on Themselves, PBS Kids for Parents 12 Tips for Raising Confident Kids, Child Mind Institute Your Child’s Self-Esteem, KidsHealth Challenging Emotions and Behaviors Guidance and Challenging Behaviors, NAEYC Understanding and Responding to Children Who Bite, NAEYC Responding to Your Child’s Bite, CSEFEL Tantrums, Defiance, Aggression – Oh My!, ZERO TO THREE I Said I Want the Red Bowl! Responding to Toddlers’ Irrational Behavior, ZERO TO THREE Helping Young Children Channel Their Aggression, ZERO TO THREE Managing Emotions as Parents, PBS Kids for Parents How to Be a Less Anxious Parent and Enjoy Your Child, Janet Lansbury 5 Ways to Help Kids Build Resilience, PBS Kids for Parents Family Guides and Tip Sheets Mindfulness for Children Guide, New York Times How to Get Help for Your Child (English & Spanish), CDC How to Help Your Child Understand and Label Emotions, TACSEI How to Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Sadness, TACSEI How to Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Anger, TACSEI Teaching Your Child About Feelings from Birth to Age 2, CSEFEL Mindfulness Toolkit, Transforming Education Trauma-Informed SEL Toolkit, Transforming Education A Parent’s Resource Guide to Social and Emotional Learning, Edutopia Social And Emotional Learning Activities For Families And Educators Let’s Talk About Feelings, Child Care Aware of America Activities for Children Using Emojis With Kids to Express Feelings, PBS Kids for Parents 10+ Social Emotional Activities for Home, Pathway 2 Success 5 Art Activities For Social Emotional Learning, Better Kids Art Activities for Social Emotional Learning, Pathway 2 Success 50 Activities that Support Social-Emotional Learning, The Art of Education University 5 Easy Social Emotional Learning Activities For Kids To Do At Home, Better Kids Mindful Art Activities for Kids, Empowering Education Online Coloring Games, PBS Kids Online Teamwork Games, PBS Kids Online Music Games, PBS Kids Meditation Apps for Kids, Common Sense Media 17 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused, Common Sense Media Best for Character Development, Common Sense Media MotherCould Instagram Account Self Care 11 Simple Self-Care Habits for Kids, PBS Kids for Parents A Guide to Self-Care for Parents: Why Making Time For Yourself Matters, Waterford Importance of Self-Care: Why Parents Need Time Out to Recharge, HealthyChildren 25 Simple Self-Care Tools for Parents, Psychology Today Self-Care for Parents, PBS Kids Support Services Jeremiah’s Place Jeremiah’s Place provides a safe haven of respite, health, renewal, and support for children and families during times of crisis. Services are provided for free and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Family Resources of Pennsylvania Parenting Warmline This is a free, confidential hotline for parents and caregivers with non-medical parenting concerns and questions. Their main number is 412.641.4546, or you can email help@familyresources.org to access support. If you live in Allegheny County, call 1.877.927.6596. If you live outside of Allegheny County, call 1.800.641.4546. PA 2.1.1 Southwest (Call 2.1.1 or text your zip code to 898.211.) PA 2.1.1. Southwest provides access to an extensive list of resources for families in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Specialists can provide referrals to human needs resources, physical and mental health resources, child care programs, and more. Pennsylvania Family Support Programs Family Centers in Allegheny County SAMHSA National Helpline (1.800.662.4357) This is a free, confidential information service for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Toll-Free 24-Hour Emotional Support Helpline (866.342.6892), Optum National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255) NAMI National HelpLine Warmline Directory, NAMI SEL and Mental Health Resources for COVID-19, SEL4US Single Mom Defined Facebook Group Developmental Concerns Free “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Materials, CDC Concerned About Your Child’s Development?, CDC “Concerned About Your Child’s Development?” in ASL, CDC Developmental Milestones, CDC Developmental Quizzes, TEIS Early Intervention Early Learning GPS, Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children Early Intervention What is “Early Intervention”?, CDC Early Intervention, Pennsylvania Department of Education Early Intervention, Peal Center Early Intervention Parent Information, The Early Learning Institute (TELI) CONNECT Helpline: The CONNECT Helpline assists families in locating resources and providing information regarding child development for children ages birth to age five. Call 1.800.692.7288, email help@connectpa.net, or submit this online form. The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers If you live in Allegheny County, call 412.885.6000. If you live outside of Allegheny County, call 1.800.692.7299. TEIS Early Intervention Call 412.271.8347, text INFO to 412.543.8398, or email info@teisinc.com. Achieva Early Intervention Early Intervention Specialists Early Intervention Program, Pittsburgh Public Schools COVID-19 How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University Virus Anxiety Resources
Emergency Reference Guide for Babysitters, American Red Cross This easy-to-carry, compact booklet provides step-by-step instructions to handle common emergencies for babysitters such as bee stings and asthma attacks. About It’s important for children to be safe, no matter who is taking care of them. The American Red Cross’ Emergency Reference Guide for Babysitters outlines steps babysitters can take for common injuries and emergency situations such as choking, poisoning or sudden illnesses. Download it now.
