Protecting the Mental Health of Young Children

Early childhood education during a coronavirus pandemic is challenging.
Supportive relationships and social distancing are both critical priorities that will ensure the health and wellbeing of the child.

Physical separation is necessary to slow down the progression of the pandemic, whereas responsive social interaction is essential for strengthening resilience.

This book has been written to help you introduce play-based learning activities at home. The ‘serve and return’ interactions that you have with your child, whilst engaging in the activities will help protect your child’s developing brain and build resilience. Maintaining social connections through the use of photo-books can help parents and care-givers to build a responsive relationship with a child. Stories about children doing familiar activities, provide a vital link between children and their friends which will help to reduce the effects of ongoing stress.