Know Yourself, Grow Yourself: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children’s Mental Health Week is a fantastic opportunity to focus on how we can support our children’s emotional well-being.

This year’s theme from Place2Be , "Know Yourself, Grow Yourself," encourages children to understand their emotions, recognise their strengths and develop skills to support their mental health. As parents, we play a crucial role in helping our children build self-awareness and resilience.

Why Self-Awareness Matters
Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence. When children understand their feelings, they can better manage their responses, communicate their needs and develop confidence. Encouraging self-awareness helps children recognise their strengths and areas for growth.

How Parents Can Support Self-Awareness and Growth

• Encourage Open Conversations
  Talk with your child about their emotions daily. Simple questions like "What made you happy today?" or "What was tricky for you?" help them reflect on their feelings. Share what made you happy and what was tricky for you too.

• Model Emotional Awareness
  Children learn by watching us. Share your own feelings and strategies for handling challenges. Saying, "I’m feeling a bit frustrated, so I’m going to take some deep breaths," teaches them healthy coping mechanisms.

• Celebrate Strengths and Effort
  Acknowledge their achievements and progress, not just outcomes. Instead of "You’re so smart," try "I love how you kept trying even when it was hard." This helps them develop a growth mindset.

• Practice Mindfulness Together
  Simple mindfulness activities, like deep breathing or a ‘5 Senses Walk’ (naming things they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste), can help children develop self-awareness and regulate emotions.

• Encourage Reflection and Goal Setting
  Help your child think about what they enjoy and what they’d like to improve. A ‘Strengths Tree’ activity—where they write their strengths in the trunk and areas for growth in the branches—can be a great visual way to reflect.

By helping children know themselves, we empower them to grow into confident, resilient individuals. Small daily actions—listening, encouraging reflection and modelling emotional awareness can make a huge difference.

This Children’s Mental Health Week, take the time to nurture your child’s self-awareness and growth. After all, when they thrive emotionally, they’re better prepared to face life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.