How To Look After Your Child's Emotional Well-being

For any parent, their children are the most important part of their life. From the early years of feeding them and getting up in the middle of the night when they cry to helping them take the first steps in education, your child’s well-being and development are of paramount importance. Put simply, every parent will want to protect the well-being of their children. An important facet of any child’s overall health is also their emotional well-being. Children will only thrive when they feel safe, supported, and loved. They need to rely on their parents to help them with their emotional needs. In the early years, this can involve comforting them after a fall or bump and reassuring them that the pain will fade. As the children begin to grow and develop, they will need support with many other facets of their daily lives and help in understanding the world around them (along with its many challenges). In this article, some key advice will be provided for parents that will help them to support their child’s emotional well-being.

The importance of sleep and a healthy diet

Firstly, it is vitally important to understand the role that sleep and a healthy diet play in a child’s development and emotional well-being. Consider that newborn babies will typically require 16 to 18 hours of sleep per day, infants 12 to 16 hours, and toddlers 11 to 14 hours. This sleep allows children to grow and develop both physically and intellectually and is incredibly important. For some children, as they grow, they may begin to feel anxious when going to bed. Fear of the dark is a common instinct in young children and a nightlight may be of assistance in their early years. Reading to your child at bedtime can also help them to relax and prepare for sleep whilst reassuring them that you are near. Diet is also incredibly important for children of all ages. Their diet will change as they age, but it is important to ensure that they receive a balanced diet that includes sufficient nutritional content based on their stage of development. This will help to support all facets of their overall development including physical, mental, and emotional. For younger children, try to instill a set routine of feeding times so that they do not go hungry throughout the day. In many cases, babies and young toddlers will indicate when they are hungry by crying!

For children with autism

It is estimated that around 1 in 100 children will develop autism worldwide. Autism can pose a range of emotional challenges as the child may not be able to communicate as effectively as someone who does not have the condition. In addition, their social skills may be limited, leading to difficulties when interacting with other children and the potential for emotional distress. Thankfully, parents can use different apps to help children with autism. They can compare a range of useful resources by reading this parent’s guide to the best Autism Apps. Such apps will allow the parent to monitor and manage their child’s emotional state, set goals for behavior, and have access to a community of other parents who have autistic children. In short, these apps can provide a comprehensive suite of support and knowledge that can help you support your child and protect their emotional well-being.

Be a great listener!

As children grow older, they will be able to express themselves more effectively and will develop a higher understanding of language. As a parent, you will want to create a home environment where children can freely express their thoughts and feelings, as this is a key way for them to become emotionally stable. A vital part of encouraging effective self-expression is being able to listen effectively to your child. When they tell you their concerns, use active listening skills to demonstrate that you fully understand their situation. It is also important to encourage children to listen effectively when you are speaking to them. 

Limit social media use and screen time

Briefly, in an age where social media and tech are everywhere, it is important to consider these applications in terms of the effect on your child's emotional well-being. Excessive screen time can be bad for a child’s development, and it may hinder the growth of their social skills. Ideally, limit the time they spend at a screen to suitable levels, actively discouraging them from spending hours at a time on such devices. In addition, social media usage can also be damaging to a child's emotional well-being, especially if online bullying takes place. Monitor your child’s social media activities and ask them to talk to you if they see something upsetting or distressing online.