Children need mental fitness to start new learning year properly, Smiling Mind can help

Caring adults, including parents and early childhood educators, are being encouraged to use the last weeks before the next academic year begins building up the mental fitness of children. 

Supporting children to develop the skills needed to build and maintain their mental health and wellbeing can set them up to thrive and overcome challenges as the year unfolds, a representative from Smiling Mind has said. 

Smiling Mind is a leading children’s mental health not-for-profit organisation, and has recently launched a new initiative – Smiling Mind Creek – which is tailored to children between the ages of three and eight years to support them to understand and process their emotions. 

Delivered as a series of 18, two-minute episodes available to watch free of charge on the Smiling Mind Website, Smiling Mind Creek builds on previous work by the organisation which has created supports for Australian children to develop essential psychological skills to build their mental fitness. 

CEO of Smiling Mind Dr Addie Wootten said the organisation has worked with professionals and young people to develop the animated series which encourages children to interact with curiosity, and build social relationships using their personal strengths.

“Just like physical fitness, it is important for children to build their mental fitness, so as they grow into tweens, adolescents and eventually adults, they have the coping skills and emotional intelligence to journey through life positively interacting with others,” Dr Wootten said.

According to Dr Wootten, mental fitness is about building the core skills of attention and awareness, mental flexibility, connection and purpose and the earlier we can support children to learn and practice these skills, the better.

“Allocating just a few minutes a day to building and practicing these core skills will support a child’s mental health and wellbeing,” Dr Wootten said. 

Smiling Mind Creek was created with the support of the Victorian Government.

To view the series, visit www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-creek