Big Feelings, Tiny Humans: Supporting Kids During National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

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hildren are amazing. They’re curious, imaginative, brutally honest, and occasionally convinced that pants are optional. They’re also navigating big emotions in very small bodies; and they don’t always have the vocabulary (or patience) to explain what’s going on inside their minds.

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is an especially meaningful time for us at Birchwood because working with children and families is at the heart of what we do. Every day, we have the privilege of helping young minds grow stronger, healthier, and more resilient; and honestly, kids are some of the bravest humans we know.

While childhood is often painted as carefree and simple, children experience stress, anxiety, frustration, sadness, and overwhelm just like adults do. The difference? Adults can usually say, “I’m feeling stressed.” Kids might say… absolutely nothing, or they might communicate those feelings through behavior, mood changes, or suddenly refusing to wear the shirt they loved yesterday.

Supporting children’s mental health early can shape confidence, emotional intelligence, and coping skills that last a lifetime. So let’s talk about how parents and caregivers can help nurture strong emotional well-being in kids (without needing a psychology degree or a perfectly color-coded parenting binder).

Normalize Talking About Feelings (Yes, Even the Messy Ones)

If you’ve ever asked a child how their day was, you’ve probably received the classic response: “Fine.” Followed by silence. Followed by them asking for snacks.

Creating open conversations about emotions helps children learn that feelings are safe to share. Kids benefit from knowing there are no “bad” feelings, only feelings that sometimes need help being understood and managed.

Simple ways to encourage emotional conversations:

• Ask open-ended questions like, “What was the best part of your day?” or “Was anything frustrating today?”

• Share your own feelings in age-appropriate ways. (“I felt nervous before my meeting today, but I took some deep breaths.”)

• Validate emotions, even when behaviors need redirection. (“I can see you’re really upset. That makes sense. Let’s figure this out together.”)

  
  

When kids learn early that emotions are safe to talk about, they’re more likely to communicate rather than bottle things up or express feelings through behavior alone.

Predictable Routines = Emotional Security (And Fewer Bedtime Negotiations… Sometimes)

Children thrive on consistency. Predictable routines help kids feel safe because they know what to expect next. Structure provides stability, especially during times of change or stress.

This doesn’t mean every moment needs to be scheduled down to the minute. (We support spontaneity and snack-based decision-making.) But having reliable routines around meals, bedtime, school preparation, and family time can significantly support emotional regulation.

Routines help children:

• Reduce anxiety

• Improve sleep habits

• Strengthen independence

• Build confidence in navigating daily life

  
  

Plus, knowing bedtime happens at roughly the same time each night gives parents at least a fighting chance.

Kids Are Watching (Even When You Think They’re Not)

Children are world-class observers. They learn how to manage emotions by watching the adults around them; which can feel inspiring and mildly terrifying at the same time.

Modeling healthy coping skills teaches children how to handle stress, disappointment, and frustration in productive ways. This might include:

• Taking deep breaths when overwhelmed

• Talking through problems instead of shutting down

• Demonstrating problem-solving skills

• Showing that it’s okay to make mistakes and try again

  
  

You don’t have to be perfectly calm all the time (spoiler: no one is). What matters most is showing children how to recover, regulate emotions, and handle challenges in a healthy way.

Celebrate Effort, Not Perfection (Because Perfection Is Exhausting)

Kids already face plenty of pressure: academically, socially, and sometimes from their own expectations. Focusing only on results can make children feel like their worth is tied to performance.

Celebrating effort helps children develop resilience, confidence, and a willingness to try new things. It teaches them that growth matters more than getting everything right the first time.

Examples:

• Praise persistence: “You worked really hard on that.”

• Highlight progress: “You improved so much from last time.”

• Encourage learning from mistakes: “What do you think you learned from that experience?”

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When children learn that effort is valued, they’re more likely to take healthy risks, problem-solve, and bounce back from setbacks.

Pay Attention to Changes (Kids Communicate in Creative Ways)

Children don’t always say, “I’m struggling emotionally.” Instead, they might show it through behavior, sleep changes, school difficulties, or mood shifts.

Signs a child may need additional support can include:

• Increased irritability or withdrawal

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Difficulty concentrating

• Sudden changes in academic performance

• Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed

• Increased worry, fear, or emotional outbursts

  
  

Not every change signals a serious concern, but patterns and persistent shifts are worth paying attention to. Trusting your instincts as a parent or caregiver is important; you know your child best.

Getting Support Is a Strength, Not a Last Resort

There is a common myth that children will “grow out of” emotional or behavioral challenges. While some developmental phases are normal, ongoing struggles deserve attention, support, and care.

Early support can help children:

• Build emotional regulation skills

• Improve communication and social confidence

• Strengthen coping strategies

• Develop resilience that supports them into adolescence and adulthood

  
  

Seeking help isn’t about labeling or fixing a child. It’s about giving them tools, understanding, and support to thrive.

How Birchwood Supports Children and Families

At Birchwood, we believe children thrive when they feel understood, supported, and empowered. Our team provides compassionate, age-appropriate care designed to help children build emotional skills, confidence, and resilience in ways that feel safe and engaging.

We also partner closely with families, because supporting a child means supporting the environment around them. Parents and caregivers are an essential part of the process, and we work collaboratively every step of the way.

Whether a child is navigating anxiety, behavioral challenges, life transitions, social struggles, or simply needs extra support building emotional skills, help is available, and progress is absolutely possible.

A Reminder Worth Repeating

Children don’t need perfect parents, perfect routines, or perfectly packed lunches shaped like cartoon animals. They need safe relationships, consistent support, and adults who are willing to listen, learn, and grow alongside them.

This National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage families to prioritize emotional well-being, start conversations about feelings, and reach out if additional support could benefit your child.

Because big feelings deserve big support, no matter how small the human experiencing them may be.

With care, The Birchwood Team