Birth to age six are a critical time in a child’s development. During this period, children build the foundation for emotional well-being, healthy relationships, learning and resilience that lasts throughout their life. Parents/caregivers and families are a child’s first teachers and many of these skills are learned naturally through day-to-day experiences at home. Secure, caring relationships with adults help children learn to express and manage their emotions, develop confidence and explore the world safely. 

Kindergarten classrooms are also rich environments for developing these skills. Through play, connection and daily routines, young children learn to navigate friendships, handle challenges and feel proud of their accomplishments. Mentally healthy early learning settings help children thrive – socially, emotionally and academically.

What the research tells us 

• Early relationships matter most. Consistent, nurturing interactions with caring adults build brain architecture and emotional resilience.  
• Social-emotional skill development in the early years supports better long-term outcomes in academic achievement, relationships and mental health.  
• Early intervention works. Identifying and supporting mental health needs early can prevent difficulties from becoming more serious later. 
• Family and culture shape well-being. Children’s emotional health grows in the context of strong family, community and cultural connections. 

Why this is important

The early years set the stage for lifelong mental health. When young children feel supported, connected and understood, they are more likely to explore, take healthy risks and build confidence in their abilities. 

Schools and early learning environments play a vital role in nurturing this foundation. Educators and caring adults can model empathy, teach coping skills and create routines that help children feel secure and ready to learn. 

When we help young children name their feelings and manage big emotions, we build skills that last a lifetime. 
– early childhood educator, Ontario, 2024 

Supporting mental health in the early years isn’t just about responding to challenges, it’s about helping every child build the tools to flourish. 

Supporting young children’s wellness 

Mentally healthy early learning settings promote wellness by: 

• building warm, trusting relationships with each child and family 
• creating calm, predictable environments that help children feel supported and ready to learn 
• integrating social-emotional skill development into daily routines and play 
• supporting self-regulation through movement, sensory breaks and choice 
• celebrating identity and culture as part of a child’s developing sense of self 
• collaborating with families and community partners to support consistency between home and school

Resources to support student mental health in the early years

• Classroom resource
• Lesson plan

Kindergarten Connections

• Info sheet

New Beginnings: Support for the Mental Health of Young Learners

Helpful websites and links

• The Centre on the Developing Child Harvard University has a range of evidence-based resources related to healthy child development. 
• Our Kids Network in the Halton Region has compiled a helpful Early Years Mental Health Toolkit.    
• CMAS: Supporting the Settlement of Young Refugee and Immigrant Children 
• How brains are built: Core Story of Brain Development