When children scrape their knees, they know itâs an injury that needs to be treated. But when they suffer from something mentally, they might not know itâs just as important to have their minds cared for too.
Maintaining good mental health should be considered a lesson not only for adults but for children as well.
âI used to see this level of stress in high schoolers who were applying to college,â said Katie Hurley, a child and adolescent psychotherapist and the author of The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World. âNow I have 5-year-olds in my office who are dealing with anxiety disorders and excessive stress.â
We spoke to experts in psychology, pediatrics and mindfulness for tips on how to teach kids the importance of mental health. They offered five interesting ways to get children to express themselves, feel validated in their emotions and take care of their minds just as much as their bodies.
Try the âemotional volcanoâ method
Hurley said she talks to kids and parents about their feelings using the âemotional volcano.â She draws a volcano on a whiteboard and explains that everyone has different feelings throughout the day. When we donât express those feelings, they remain in the volcano until it erupts.
âIf we just leave those feelings in the volcano, they start to really bubble and bubble and bubble until they come flying out and exploding, and thatâs when you get the crying, hitting and kicking,â she said.
Hurley noted that many parents regard these actions as the result of a behavioral problem, but itâs more âan explosion of emotions that werenât dealt with.â Thatâs why itâs important to teach kids to talk about their feelings and release them one by one.
If you see a child making a particular face in response to a stressful situation, rather than saying, âOh, donât be frustrated,â you can say, âYour face looks upset. Whatâs up? Whatâs going on?â
Rachel Busman, clinical psychologist and senior director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute
Teach by example and be mindful of your own habits
Various studies have shown that in excessive amounts, screen time for kids and gaming and social media for teens can have harmful effects on behavior, mood, sleep schedules and overall health. Dr. Katherine Williamson, a pediatrician and the vice president of the Orange County chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said itâs important for caretakers to set an example of sensible screen time with habits like having no phones at the dinner table or at bedtime.
Similarly, itâs important for parents to lead by example and share their vulnerabilities so their kids will be comfortable exposing and discussing their own.
âYou can say something like, âI had something happen at work today, and Iâm not even sure I handled it right, but I did my best,ââ she said.
Take note of the language you use
Rachel Busman, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and the senior director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, said itâs important for parents to not automatically interpret their kidsâ facial expressions and instead give them a chance to explain.
âIf you see a child making a particular face in response to a stressful situation, rather than saying, âOh, donât be frustrated,â you can say, âYour face looks upset. Whatâs up? Whatâs going on?ââ she said. âItâs beneficial to provide an opportunity for kids to tell you how they feel, rather than narrate what you think your kid is experiencing.â
When looking for the right language to use when asking about a childâs day, caretakers should avoid very general questions like âHowâs school?â or âHow was the playdate?â
ââThose conversations often donât end in a lot of information,â she said. âInstead ask, âWhat was something interesting that happened today?â or âWhat did you do in gym class?ââ
Teach them mindfulness techniques
Mallika Chopra, an author and wellness expert and the daughter of spiritual leader Deepak Chopra, learned how to meditate at the age of 9. She said itâs a âgreat giftâ she also passed down to her kids. The experience inspired her to write her childrenâs book, Just Breathe: Meditation, Mindfulness, Movement, and More.
Aside from meditations, the book features gratitude exercises as well as suggestions about movement, like walking and yoga, and being aware of how you use your words.
âThe goal of this book is to share the tools that I had growing up,â she said. âAs a mom, I can see that this generation has a lot of pressure.â
Encourage them to journal
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, journaling can reduce stress and help people manage anxiety and depression. Dianne Maroney, who has a masterâs degree in psychiatric and mental health nursing, has also seen the impact of giving kids the power to tell their stories, and in 2015, she founded the Imagine Project Inc., which offers a seven-step process focused on expressive writing.
The journals used in the project (offered in age groups from kindergartners to adults) are available on the nonprofitâs site at no cost. The project allows kids to process stress and trauma and gain confidence while letting parents, teachers and caretakers in on difficult times the child may be going through.
âThe Imagine Project helps kids talk about whatâs happened to them, if itâs stress, minor trauma, major trauma, anything,â Maroney said. âItâs a point where they can still talk about it, overcome it and write a new story in its place. It helps give kids hope, and hope is something that kids really need. I think theyâre struggling with that in our society right now.â
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