Preschoolers grow in all areas: physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Each of these areas has an impact on the mental health and well-being of preschoolers. Let’s look at factors in each of these areas which impact a preschooler’s mental health.
Physical Health
Healthy prenatal care
Proper nutrition
Consistent health care
An injury or long-term illness
Cognitive Health
Exploration of objects and the environment
Sensory learning
Following directions
Problem solving
Language acquisition
Development of memory
Social Health
Relationships with parents, family, and caregivers
Healthy attachments with others
Responsiveness of caregivers to needs
Sense of self
Communication skills
Emotional Health
Loving and nurturing caregivers
Emotional needs are met
Recognizing and naming emotions and feelings
Regulating emotions and actions
Building emotional connections with others
Development of resilience
Spiritual Health
Development of trust
Caregivers who meet physical and emotional needs
Feeling loved and secure
Acquiring basic attitudes about God, Jesus, the Bible, and church
A foundation of unconditional love and acceptance
Those who care for preschoolers can help them grow by responding to their needs in these areas. Preschoolers need strong relationships with loving caregivers in order to positively react to the stressors in their lives. Placing focus on these areas helps preschoolers to grow in healthy ways.
Joye Smith is the WMU preschool ministry consultant.