Prioritising children's health and wellbeing

Explore how we foster optimal health and wellbeing for children, families, and communities in contemporary Australia, addressing complex challenges with evidence-based strategies.

Understanding the landscape of health challenges

The notion of health and well-being in early childhood is not anymore considered from only a clinical perspective, but rather from a holistic point of view, with an integration of social, emotional and psychological elements that form "The Whole Child" (Emerging Minds, 2017). Today in Australia, the health and well-being environment is largely determined by the awareness of the impact that adverse events in children's lives, referred to as "Adverse Childhood Experiences" (ACEs), such as mental illness in parents, domestic violence, and chronic health concerns, have on development (Moore et al., 2015).

Sociological analysis of health may involve application of Family Systems Theory. According to this theory, children's health should not be studied independently but rather taken into account as part of an interrelated family structure, as the health of each family member affects the rest of the group significantly (Johnson & Ray, 2016). If a parent experiences mental illnesses, the concept of Social Connectedness in families might suffer, depriving the child of a strong network usually acting as protection (Wong, Hayes, & Wise, 2017). On top of that, Attachment Theory remains highly relevant because stress associated with long-term health problems might jeopardize children's "Circle of Security" (McMahon & Grace, 2022).

According to the neuroscience of well-being, prolonged exposure to adversity results in "toxic stress" and may cause changes in the brain structures related to emotional control and executive functions (National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2020). The development of the topic in Australia demonstrates a movement from using a "deficit approach," i.e., concentrating on weaknesses to the Trauma-Informed Practice Approach. In order to implement the latter, teachers need to understand the pervasiveness of trauma, be aware of its signs and symptoms, and be able to incorporate trauma knowledge in their center's policies (Woodrow, Grace, & Cashmore, 2022).

Impact on children and families

Health and wellbeing issues have an effect in all developmental domains. Children who have been exposed to trauma or chronic stress conditions tend to have a narrow "window of tolerance." Such children will tend to switch back and forth between hypervigilance (e.g., aggressive outbursts, hyperactivity, and difficulty sitting still) and hypo-vigilance (e.g., dissociation, fantasizing, and shutting down emotionally), thus preventing them from accessing their "learning brain" (National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2020). The ability to develop "secure, respectful, and reciprocal relationships" as stipulated in the EYLF V2.0 will be hindered due to the distorted view of the world that such children have.

Chronic health or mental health conditions will lead families to feel isolated socially. Feelings of shame and "caregiver burnout" reduce parents' ability to participate actively in the "Partnerships with Families" encouraged in the National Quality Standards (ACECQA, 2018). Social isolation is further compounded by a lack of social networks (Wong et al., 2017). The implications for services are that there should be a transformation of pedagogy. Educators need to shift from "behavior management" practices to "emotional coaching" practices, whereby a dysregulated child cannot regulate themselves but rather needs the educator to co-regulate them first.

Social policy and Australian responses

The Australian national policy emphasizes the importance of this context. According to the National Quality Standard (NQS), Quality Area 2 requires services to "promote children's health and safety" (ACECQA, 2018). Moreover, the Safe and Supported: National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031 encourages adopting the "whole-of-government approach," which should focus on early intervention for children with high-risk health circumstances (Commonwealth of Australia, 2021).

The statistics provided by AIHW (2024) reveal that about 14% of children in Australia aged 4 to 17 years have some form of mental health problem. This means that the issues associated with health problems usually begin at a young age (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). For instance, policies like Be You (Beyond Blue) encourage practitioners to follow "Reflective Practice" guidelines that will foster children's resiliency (Beyond Blue, n.d.). Such policies require educators to document their work and to provide "Health Support Plans" following the "family-centered approach" (Raising Children Network, 2024).

Strategies for practice

Co-Regulation Implementation: The teacher stays with the child who is emotionally upset and does not resort to “time-outs” but helps the child regain their equilibrium by being a source of external calmness to their nervous system (National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2020).

Sensory Integration Strategies: Creating special “calming spaces” that have a peaceful atmosphere, dim lighting, and textures to facilitate regulation of sensory input in overwhelmed children (Arthur et al., 2020).

Visual Rhythms That Are Predictable: Using visual cues and “First/Then” boards to minimize stress associated with transitioning from one activity to another (ACECQA, 2022).

Emotion Coaching: Employing appropriate terminology to name and describe the bodily sensations and feelings children experience (Lawrence, Brooker, & Dodds, 2022).

Educators’ Emotional Wellbeing Maintenance: Peer mentoring and regular debriefing sessions to help staff prevent secondary trauma (Woodrow et al., 2022).

Community and professional partnerships

Beyond Blue (Be You): An organization offering a national strategy for mental health promotion. This organization provides educators with the means for detecting mental health problems and promoting resilience among children (Beyond Blue, n.d.).

Emerging Minds: An organization that provides evidence-based resources and programs related to mental health among children. Emerging Minds collaborates with child services for providing help to educators in supporting children of parents with mental health problems (Emerging Minds, 2017).

Kids Helpline: An organization providing professional psychological support for children and helping educators develop children's emotional resilience (Kids Helpline, n.d.).

Local Health Districts (LHDs): Cooperation with local health organizations helps conduct warm referrals regarding speech and occupational therapy as well as pediatric assessments (Australian Government Department of Health, 2022).

Family Relationship Centers: Organizations that assist families with rebuilding relationships in case of marital conflict and divorce in order to protect the child's psychological welfare (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2021).

Resources for educators and children

Resources & Websites

Be You Early Learning: A complete educational program that aims to foster mental health and resilience among children from birth (Beyond Blue, n.d.)

Emerging Minds The Whole Child: A framework with accompanying videos that explains the effects of adversities on a child's growth (Emerging Minds, 2017).

Raising Children Network: An evidence-based website that gives parents and teachers information on everything from mental health challenges like anxiety to neurodivergence (Raising Children Network, 2024).

COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness): Specific resources for children dealing with their parent's struggle with a psychological condition (COPMI, n.d.)

Storybooks

'The Invisible String' (Patrice Karst): The tale of an enduring bond between close people, especially helpful for children experiencing separation anxiety and grief (McMahon & Grace, 2022).

'In My Heart' (Jo Witek): Discusses bodily sensations associated with emotions and is helpful in developing emotional literacy in children (Lawrence et al., 2022).

'The Color Monster' (Anna Llenas): Helps in understanding and coping with the "tangled" emotions by associating them with colors (Arthur et al., 2020).

4. 'Ruby's Worry' (Tom Percival): Teaches children how important it is to discuss their concerns and problems before they get out of hand (Beyond Blue, n.d.).

Video, TV Shows and Podcasts

1.Cosmic Kids Yoga Videos: Digital program that introduces the concepts of mindfulness and emotional regulation through interactive story telling and yoga moves (OECD, 2019).

2.Inside Out Movie Clips for Education: Videos showing children a vivid example of how various emotions can interact in our heads (Lawrence et al., 2022).

3.Sesame Street: Big Feelings: Animations educating children about "Belly Breathing" and similar techniques for dealing with anger and fear (Wong et al., 2017).

4.The Whole Child Video Collection: Videos for teachers showing effects of trauma on child play and social skills (Emerging Minds, 2017).