Answer: Mental health concerns in children can be primarily seen in their behaviour. Watch your child’s behaviour, has it changed? If so, how? Some children may be less engaged with things they normally enjoyed, like colouring, playing with blocks or even video games. Perhaps, they seem more worried, more isolated, crying when you go out of sight, changes in eating habits or getting angry, throwing things, hitting you or their siblings, you might notice they don’t focus as well or are having trouble remembering things. If you are noticing a change in your child’s behaviour that concerns you, it is best to get help. The challenge with infant and child mental health is it hard to know what it causing the behavioural changes, it is best to bring the child to see their doctor and share your observations and concerns. The doctor is the best place to start to make sure it is not something physiological, which can look similar and have a different treatment. The doctor will tell you if they think some form of therapy or talking with a mental health professional will help.
 
Children express their thoughts and feelings through play and art as adults do by talking. So watch what they are playing. For instance, it would be typical for a child to comfort their “baby” doll and what they say and how they care for their doll will provide you some insight into what they are feeling, hearing or experiencing. Use your empathy to wonder about what your child is sharing in their play. Being open and emotionally available to your children during difficult times is especially important as infant and child mental health is often related to the parents and families wellbeing. Think about what they may be experiencing or feeling in their home without the benefit of understanding the adult world. Is there something that you can do to share more loving interactions with them so they feel emotionally safe, like reading books, or riding bikes, something fun and connected you can do together, which also may distract from the stressful feelings. Nature and physical activity have powerful affects on mental health and coping with stress, get outside and find some awe and wonder while moving your body.  Children respond more quickly then adults to changes in their environment, you will likely see changes through the providing of boundaries, physical activity, interest and engagement and loving support. If you continue to be concerned listen to yourself, you know your children the best, go to their doctor and share your concerns. Also make sure that you are taking care of yourself. Parents are the most important people in a child’s life. Your children need you to feel safe and cared for too, make sure you are creating and safe environment of care and love for the whole family.

Answer: Behavioural issues will change when the stress in our life is reduced, but it will be different for every child. The pandemic has changed the way we do everything, so naturally there will be feelings of grief over what we have lost. For children, that means playing with friends, on the jungle gym or missing child care/school. Let’s be honest, even having their parents home all day is a big change!

Some behavioural issues might be your child has become more clingy or whiny, started sucking their thumb again, is showing baby characteristics you had thought were gone. These behaviours may be ways for your child to express their need to feel safe and cared for like a baby — natural stress reactions due to the increased fear and anxiety in the world. Perhaps your child is having more tantrums, getting upset frequently or talking back. If you think this is related to the pandemic, it is a natural response when you are unable to do what you want or would normally do.

While these are normal and natural responses, that does not mean the behaviour has to be okay for you in your home. Children feel safe with loving boundaries, understanding the rules and what is expected of them. They thrive with routine. They need to learn how to self-regulate, manage their emotions and behaviour so they learn what is appropriate and what is not at home. The best thing to do is to talk, draw or play with your children. Listen to them and try to imagine what they are feeling or experiencing. Children need to feel heard, understood and cared for, just as adults do. 

When you listen to them, ask yourself, what are you hearing is bugging them? Try to talk and react to that feeling, not the behaviour. If you feel overwhelmed by a behaviour and yell, try to take a breath, apologize for the outburst and explain to them how the behaviour makes you feel and that you love them even if you don’t always love their behaviours. 

Listening, talking, sharing and loving will help everyone get through this difficult time and teach kids valuable lessons like empathy and compassion along the way.

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