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��Supporting your child's mental health

Cassandra Firkins, LCSW

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Mental Health in children:

"Being mentally healthy during childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities." - CDC definition

DEVELOPMENTAL DOMAINS

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL ABILITIES

Label your own emotions and ask child to use feeling words

ADAPTIVE SKILLS

1. Regulating emotions
2. Self-control; delayed gratification
3. Persistence
4. Self compassion
5. Teach your child problem solving skills instead of solving the problem for them
6. Allow for safe mistakes and avoid overprotecting which can send the message the child is not capable

SUPPORTIVE AND COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP WITH AN ADULT(S)

1. Repeated, predictable experiences in which a child's emotions and needs are responded to sensitivity and effectively
2. Making sense of your own story about who you are and how you became the person you are through your experiences especially in childhood
3. Modeling resiliency for your children
4. Repair any ruptures or missteps with your child. It is okay to apologize to your child.
5. Other adults who can contribute to a child's resiliency (teachers, coaches, therapists, tutors, mentors, etc.)

Take care of yourself to help you take care of others more effectively

Self-Care�

Children learn to self-regulate by first co-regulating with a caregiver

QUESTIONS?

THE KEDZIE CENTER

4141 N. Kedzie, Suite 2

Chicago, IL. 60618

773-574-0577