Early Years Mental Health

Welcome to the ‘one stop shop’ for all things to do with young children’s mental well-being!

This introductory presentation describes the outline of the three sessions that focus on the role of the early years practitioner in supporting the mental health of 0-5s. Check out our FREE RESOURCES

Introduction to Early Years Mental Health – the role of the Early Years practitioner.

This training supports practitioners in early years settings to enhance practice that supports early years mental health for all.  It includes evidence-based practices that support vulnerable children.  It offers guidance in the assessment and provision for children who display challenging behaviour.

There are 3 sessions in total which enable you to select the topics most relevant to you.

Part 1: Understanding young children’s behaviour (35 mins)

Part 2: The practitioner as an emotionally available adult (45 mins)

Parts 1 and 2 are together as one workshop and support practitioners to:

  • recognise the emotions at the core of high-risk behaviour and the role of the practitioner in ‘co-regulating’ with the child as a means to support the child ‘feeling’ their emotion rather than just ‘behaving’ it;
  • to work with their own case study to develop a deeper understanding of the child’s behaviour;
  • use practical strategies that can make a powerful difference to a child’s emotional ‘growth’ and support improvements in behaviour through relationship.

Part 3 Relationship-based provision (1 hour)

This is a separate workshop (from Parts 1 and 2) and is in two sections. Looking at current policy and research we consider how mental health can be enhanced in the enabling environment with a refreshing approach to behaviour policy and explore the therapeutic properties of the everyday early years resources and interventions.

Setting leads/ childminders will find this comprehensive workshop stands alone but also  complements parts 1 and 2.

Practitioners are invited to review a model Wellbeing and Relationships policy which reflects current research and evidence-based practice. The Word version of this example policy is a free download within the workshop. Interventions that support relationship-based provision are considered alongside the practical strategies described in the first sessions.

   Buy this workshop here.

This training is designed to meet current expectations in CPD for Early Years practitioners – Preschools and Schools (EYFS).  It also meets the Standard for Teachers’ Professional Development (DfE, 2016).  A pre-course study pack is provided to enable participants to gain the most learning from the experience.

Reflections from settings who have experienced this training:

The trainer is ‘really easy to listen to, down to earth’, ‘explains in a way I could understand and went over bits’ and ‘such a lovely welcoming, friendly lady’.

‘This course has really changed my view in a positive way’

‘Absolutely fantastic; informative and entertaining – using what we have learned ourselves today – already!’

‘I really think this workshop was amazing. It will stay with me and I look forward to using what I’ve learnt’.