We support parents, providers, and our community in promoting the social and emotional well-being of young children.
This will be a place where we will share messages, resources, and links to places where you can learn about social and emotional well-being and help foster children's social and emotional development.
5 Things to Know about Laying a Strong Foundation for Mental Health
We developed this handout to share important information about young children's mental well-being. Please use this handout and the messages as needed in your work.
5 Things to Know about Laying a Strong Foundation for Mental Health
We developed this handout to share important information about young children's mental well-being. Please use this handout and the messages as needed in your work.
Kids and Feelings: 5 Things to Know
We invite you to use these messages as you connect with children and families.
It’s natural for young kids to have big feelings as they learn new skills or try to understand what is happening around them. Here are a few things to remember when it comes to kids and feelings.
1. YOUNG CHILDREN EXPERIENCE BIG FEELINGS, TOO!
Kids process and respond to stressful situations differently than older kids and adults.
2. THE EARLY YEARS MATTER! AT BIRTH, CHILDREN ARE READY AND WIRED FOR EMOTION.
By providing kids with safe, stable, and nurturing environments you’re setting them up for success.
3. WHEN CHILDREN FEEL A SENSE OF SAFETY, THEIR BRAINS BEGIN TO CALM.
When big feelings arise, it’s important that kids feel safe and protected.
4. CARING RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY TO EMOTIONAL HEALTH!
Being surrounded by caring, supportive adults in safe environments helps children become emotionally healthy.
5. BY RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF STRESS, YOU CAN HELP CHILDREN AFTER UPSETTING AND CONFUSING EVENTS.
If changes in their behavior continue or affect their everyday life, it might be time to reach out for help from someone who can support, such as a pediatrician, teacher, or mental health provider
We invite you to use these messages as you connect with children and families.
It’s natural for young kids to have big feelings as they learn new skills or try to understand what is happening around them. Here are a few things to remember when it comes to kids and feelings.
1. YOUNG CHILDREN EXPERIENCE BIG FEELINGS, TOO!
Kids process and respond to stressful situations differently than older kids and adults.
2. THE EARLY YEARS MATTER! AT BIRTH, CHILDREN ARE READY AND WIRED FOR EMOTION.
By providing kids with safe, stable, and nurturing environments you’re setting them up for success.
3. WHEN CHILDREN FEEL A SENSE OF SAFETY, THEIR BRAINS BEGIN TO CALM.
When big feelings arise, it’s important that kids feel safe and protected.
4. CARING RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY TO EMOTIONAL HEALTH!
Being surrounded by caring, supportive adults in safe environments helps children become emotionally healthy.
5. BY RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF STRESS, YOU CAN HELP CHILDREN AFTER UPSETTING AND CONFUSING EVENTS.
If changes in their behavior continue or affect their everyday life, it might be time to reach out for help from someone who can support, such as a pediatrician, teacher, or mental health provider
Resources you can use!
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Handout
Sesame Street in Communities has created a handout called "5 Ideas for Expressing Emotions" to help young kids build social-emotional skills. This handout can be printed as a poster or a rack card and must be printed through a professional print shop. To access the handout, please complete the form. |
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Print Materials
The following Sesame Street-branded resources are available to request while supplies last. If you work in Polk County, items may be available at a free or reduced cost. Please contact Sarah Welch to learn more or to request these items.
- Coloring Books: A 20-page activity coloring book called “I Can Name My Feelings” was created for Iowa and offers activities for families to do together to build social-emotional skills. Half of the book is in English and half in Spanish. Cost is $150 per box of 100 books to cover the cost of printing; an added fee will be added to cover shipping if needed.
- Handouts: We have Sesame Street-branded rack card handouts available on the following topics: 1) Breathe, Think, Do. (a process for handling tantrums), 2) 5 Ideas for Expressing Emotions, 3) Kids and Feelings: 5 Things to Know. Cost is $13 per bundle of 100 cards; an added fee will be added to cover shipping if needed.
