October is widely recognised as Mental Health Month in Australia, anchored by World Mental Health Day on 10 October, which makes it a fitting time to talk about emotional wellbeing in early childhood.
At Daisy Cottage Early Learning in Stafford, supporting emotional wellbeing is part of our daily rhythm, not a once-a-year topic, so we wanted to share what it looks like in the early years and a few simple ways families can support it at home.
What Emotional Wellbeing Looks Like in the Early Years
Emotional wellbeing in early childhood develops gradually, through everyday moments rather than any single lesson. It includes:
- Naming feelings. Recognising and naming feelings such as happy, frustrated, tired or excited.
- Feeling safe. Being able to express big emotions without judgement.
- Coping strategies. Developing simple, age-appropriate ways to manage tricky moments.
- Trusted relationships. Forming secure, trusting connections with educators and peers.
A child who feels emotionally secure is far more ready to explore, play and learn. That security is built slowly, through consistent, warm relationships.
How We Support Emotional Wellbeing at Daisy Cottage
Emotional wellbeing is woven through our program in practical, everyday ways:
- Mindfulness and gentle yoga. Regular sessions that support calm and body awareness.
- Quiet corners. Cosy spaces where a child can take a moment to settle.
- Feelings charts and stories. Simple tools that help children put words to what they’re experiencing.
- Calm, steady educators. Our team models calm responses, especially during big emotions.
Helping Emotional Wellbeing at Home
Families often ask how to continue this support outside the centre. A few simple ideas:
- Name feelings together. Phrases like “it looks like you’re feeling frustrated” help children connect words to emotions.
- Keep routines predictable. Especially around meals and bedtime.
- Make time for quiet. Build in some unhurried time each day.
- Model calm responses. Children learn a lot from watching how we handle things that don’t go to plan.
- Learn more. raisingchildren.net.au and healthdirect.gov.au have helpful resources for families on emotional development and wellbeing.
Supporting Wellbeing, Every Day
Emotional wellbeing in early childhood isn’t about avoiding big feelings altogether. It’s about helping children feel safe enough to move through them.
If you’d like to talk about how we support your child’s emotional wellbeing at Daisy Cottage, we’d love to chat. Register your interest or give our team a call.