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February 20, 2024
Contact: Elizabeth Goodsitt/Jennifer Miller 608-266-1683
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New Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet Emphasizes Importance of Infant and Toddler Mental Health
Everyone has thoughts, emotions, and behaviors ? what we know as mental health ? and infants and toddlers are no different. Positive mental health and responsive relationships in early childhood are critical to a child's health.?
The vast majority (90%) of brain development occurs before a child enters kindergarten, so the first five years of a child?s life impacts that child?s well-being for the rest of their life. This is when the foundation for mental health is established ? when we teach our youngest children about positive behavior, healthy communication, and conflict resolution.
Infants who receive responsive, nurturing care are more likely to develop positive mental health and emotional well-being, as well as have stronger cognitive abilities ? all of which impacts educational outcomes, adult employment, and lifelong earnings.
"Children?s mental health starts with the adults who care for them," said Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health Director Linda Hall. "Caring for young children is stressful! But there is support that can help child care providers, early childhood educators, and parents manage it effectively."
Teaching caregivers about infant and toddler mental health ? and reducing caregiver stress ? boosts caregivers? confidence in supporting children with challenging behaviors and improves early childhood well-being. Among the ways to do this are:
- Support children?s caregivers? mental health and your own.
- Pediatricians can share with parents how to create supportive environments for emotional development.
- Policymakers can provide long-term investments for infant and early childhood mental health consultation across sectors.
?This important work has the power to build the well-being of our youngest citizens and investments in our children?s earliest years will enhance the social and economic fabric of Wisconsin,? said Director Hall.
See the complete fact sheet.?
See previous fact sheets.
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