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Mental Health Awareness Week Activities for Preschoolers

The National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week is the first full week in May. Designed to raise awareness that serious mental health and emotional disorders in children exist and are treatable, it is promoted by the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. In the United States, 15 million children have mental health problems, and half of these never get help. Mental health awareness can help erase the stigma associated with mental and emotional disorders. Even preschoolers can be involved.

  1. Story Time

    • Set aside extra time for reading with preschoolers during Mental Health Awareness Week. For help in selecting books, try using a reading list organized by age, such as the one available from Reach Out and Read. The titles in this list are doctor-approved and include titles targeted to special communities, special occasions, times of the year and groups, such military families.

    Host a Healthy Kids Day

    • Invite the entire family to a community-sponsored Healthy Kids Day. Include activities that encourage physical, social and emotional development in kids. Possible ideas are storytelling, musical expression, infant massage, yoga and relaxation and drama. Ask local grocery stores to provide healthy snacks.

    Bring Your Parents to Day Care

    • We've all heard of "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day," but reverse to idea to bring the parents to day care for the day. Include parents in all the daily activities of the preschoolers. Encourage cuddling time during story time and nap time. Center activities on the theme of families.

    My Feelings Art

    • Talk about feelings and consider reading "My Big Feelings." Encourage the preschoolers to draw or paint pictures about their feelings. Wander through the room and ask questions about the pictures.

    Blowing Bubbles

    • Blowing bubbles is fun and a great way to relieve stress. Take preschoolers outdoors on a nice day for bubble blowing.

    Dance Away the Stress

    • Preschool-age children can work off stress through physical activity. Allow the children to dress up in costumes and have a dance party. Hold hands and form a circle, follow each other in a conga line or just move to the music.

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