Little Minds Matter: Supporting Young Children’s Mental Health and Big Emotions
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Little Years, supporting the wellbeing of our team, children and families is incredibly important to us. This month’s wellbeing blog is all about supporting our little people with those big emotions!
It's never too early to nurture children's mental health and build that everyday wellbeing. Building a strong foundation in these early years can really support children as they grow.
What Does Mental Health Mean for Young Children?
Supporting children's mental health isn't about removing difficulty or sheltering them from challenge, we know these are parts of life which happen and we can't always shield children from them. Supporting their mental health is about giving children the tools to deal with whatever life throws at them.
For young children, good mental health is about feeling:
Safe
Loved
Secure
Heard
Free to explore and learn
There’s a huge link between development and emotional health. If we get the emotional stuff right, then we’re setting children up to succeed.
All children struggle sometimes, it's normal for them to find things tricky. The more tools we can give them to deal with these struggles, the better. It's also important to know where to get help if things get too much. Our Little Years family can always help to signpost you.
Simple Everyday Ways to Support Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
Create Predictable Routines
Children thrive on routine and consistency. Familiar rhythms around mealtimes, bedtime and nursery drop-offs help children feel safe and secure. At the same time, a little flexibility is healthy too. Learning that things don’t always go perfectly helps children build adaptability and resilience.
Talk About Feelings Openly
You don’t need perfect words to support your child emotionally. Simple phrases like:
“You look frustrated.”
“I wonder if you’re feeling worried.”
“That made you feel sad, didn’t it?”
These help children start to understand and name their own emotions. Little by little, this builds their emotional vocabulary.
Prioritise Play
Play is a child's language. It's how they make sense of the world, process their experiences and connect with the people they love. Follow their lead, get on the floor with them and let it be wonderfully messy and imaginative.
Even small moments of play throughout the day can make a big difference.
Offer Physical Connection
Never underestimate the power of physical reassurance.
A cuddle, holding hands or even a reassuring look across the room can help children feel calm, connected and secure. These moments remind children they’re loved and not alone.
Model Healthy Emotional Regulation
Children are always watching! When we show them that we have big feelings too, and that we have ways of managing them, we give them permission to do the same.
Saying things like:
“I’m feeling stressed, so I’m going to take some deep breaths.”
“I feel frustrated right now, so I’m taking a moment to calm down.”
You might be surprised how quickly children can mirror that self-regulation.
How to Support Children During Big Emotional Moments
Even with strong routines and emotional support, overwhelming feelings will still happen, and that’s completely normal. Here's how you can help in those tricky moments:
Focus on Co-Regulation First
Young children can’t regulate emotions alone yet. They first need calm, supportive adults beside them. Your steady presence is the most powerful tool you have. Try:
Getting down to their level
Speaking softly
Staying physically close
Offering reassurance without rushing
Your calmness is contagious.
Name the Emotion
In the middle of a meltdown, try gently naming what you see:
· “You’re feeling really angry right now.”
· “That was disappointing for you.”
· “You seem overwhelmed.”
It sounds simple but it helps children feel understood. And feeling understood is often half the battle.
Avoid Shame Around Big Feelings
All emotions are allowed. It's what we do with them that matters. Try replacing phrases like:
“Don’t cry.”
“Stop being silly.”
“You’re fine.”
with validating responses such as:
“It’s okay to feel upset.”
“I can see this feels hard.”
“It’s okay to feel angry, but it's not okay to hit.”
Teach Simple Calming Techniques
Blowing out like you're cooling down hot soup or counting five things you can see. These simple techniques can help children find their way back to calm.
Practise them during happy moments so they're ready to use when things get big.
Create a Calm Space
A cosy, calming corner with books, cushions, soft toys or sensory items can help children reset emotionally.
Having a safe, calm space to go to, not as a punishment but as a positive place to reset, gives children a sense of agency over their own feelings.
Talk Afterwards
Once the storm has passed and everyone is calm, a gentle chat about what happened can be really valuable. Keep it short, keep it kind and focus on what they could do differently next time. This isn't about blame, it's about learning together.
Your Wellbeing Matters Too
We couldn't write a blog about children's wellbeing without mentioning yours! You really can't pour from an empty cup and children are incredibly perceptive. They pick up on our stress, our anxiety and our overwhelm, even when we think we're hiding it. Please remember:
Ask for support when you need it
Lean on trusted people around you
Prioritise rest and self-care where possible
Speak kindly to yourself
Looking after yourself is one of the most important things you can do for your child. If you're finding things particularly tough, please don't suffer in silence. Your GP, health visitor or our team at nursery are always a good first port of call.
Children’s Books About Big Feelings We Love
Here are some of our favourite books to explore big emotions with little ones:
How Are you Feeling Today by Molly Potter – great for giving ideas and suggestions about how to deal with different emotions
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang - perfect for helping children understand it's okay not to be okay
When Sophie Gets Angry by Molly Bang - a great one for exploring big feelings and finding calm
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival - wonderful for little ones who carry their worries quietly
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst - a reassuring read for separation anxiety and connection
Final Thoughts
Supporting your child's mental health doesn't have to be complicated or perfect. It's found in the everyday moments: the cuddles, the conversations, the playful afternoons and the calm voices during the hard bits. Connection, consistency and kindness can make an enormous difference to children’s emotional wellbeing.
And remember that none of us are perfect and things won’t go right all the time. In those moments it’s OK to be honest with your child and talk about how tricky it can be to manage your emotions as an adult too.
As always, our team at Little Years are here for you and your family. If you ever have questions, worries or just need a chat, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're in this together!