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A new government-funded resource to help educators support and nurture children's mental health is now available to the early childhood sector.
Connections, a joint initiative between the Australian government and the Hunter Institute of Mental Health, was developed in partnership with the early childhood sector and aims to build 'knowledge, skills and confidence' among educators working to support the health and wellbeing of young children.
Federal Assistant Minister for Education, Sussan Ley, said that with more than a million children enrolled in early education and care programs across Australia educators have a significant role to play and that Connections would help them with this.
"It's widely accepted that a child's mental health and wellbeing is a crucial factor in their early development," Ms Ley said.
"Connections is designed to be a practical resource for educators aimed at bolstering the important work already being undertaken to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in early childhood services across the country."
"It's also about recognising that every child is an individual and supporting educators with the tools to identify and manage the unique mental health challenges that can arise on a regular basis."
Director of the Hunter Institute of Mental Health, Jaelea Skehan, said Connections offers a variety of tools to help educators including tips on how best to talk to children about their feelings through to strategies and case studies helping educators, families and professionals work together if a child was experiencing difficulties.
Ms Skehan said Connections also included additional support for educators working with: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families; refugee and migrant families; children experiencing trauma, loss and grief; abuse and violence; and children with parents with a mental illness.
"Educators can help young children learn how to manage their emotions and interact well with others. They are also well placed to identify when a child may be experiencing mental health difficulties and assist families," said Ms Skehan.
"Extensive consultation has been undertaken with early childhood educators across Australia, as well as early childhood peak bodies, to ensure the suitability, relevance and usefulness of this resource for early childhood education and care services."
Ms Skehan said the content of Connections was based on international evidence, expert opinion and best practice and also linked to formal early childhood regulations such as the National Quality Standard, Early Years Learning Framework and Framework for School Age Care.
Hard copies of Connections will be distributed to long day care, family day care, preschool and out of school hours care services throughout Australia and providers can download an electronic copy.
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