"The greater a child’s terror, and the earlier it is experienced, the harder it becomes to develop a strong and healthy sense of self."
- Nathaniel Branden, Six Pillars of Self-Esteem.
Mental health in infants and toddlers is the most underated. We have vaccinations  for those diseases we haven't even heard of. But sometimes we fail to realize that the harm these diseases would do to your child is no way bigger than the harm caused by childhood trauma or any kind of a toxic stress. There are myriad of factors that can affect your child in a positive as well as negetive way. Providing emotionally healthy environment and demonstrating love, affection, trust, care, compassion can greatly impact a child so that he can achieve his social- emotional milestones in a positive way.
5 things to consider for the emotional well being of a child:
👦Parenting matters!!!!
-Children are like sponges. They absorb very quick. Think twice before saying something and thrice before actually doing something.
- Our 'parental instincts' are often influenced by our surrounding, upbringing, people arround us. Need not to be always positive. We observe and try to inculate that conditions into our child's behavior.
For example,
   "Give your toy to your friend because you should know how to share things.."
( Of course sharing is caring!! But sometimes it's ok not to share... Respect her feeling.)
"You are a big girl, give away your toys to younger ones.."
( Ignoring the fact that she is also a child... Let her be!!)
" You should listen to me. You are a good girl.."
(If she does what you want her to do, then only she is a good girl...how demoralizing it is!!!)
" Don't shout and raise your hand on me.."
( You are telling this on top of your voice and red face...irony!!!)
👦 Identifying emotional needs
- You need not to be a parent to recognize the physical need of a child. Its very easy task.
- All you have to provide them with is a good food and a healthy environment.
-  Childs basic emotional needs are not more than love and affection. All they want is to be cared, loved and nurtured.
- Spending time and playing silly games might be the best and the simplest way to nurture their confidence and self esteem.
- Being firm and setting an example for them might seems to be a difficult task, but if you cant practice it as an adult, you have no right to expect it from a child.
- Adults always seek respect from the younger one, that doesn't mean young onse are not worthy of respect. Respecting every aspect of the childhood can be the key to protect ones self esteem.
👦To scold or not to scold
- Sometimes a little bit of scolding is good. It's a result of a very challenging behavior by the child. What I had observed is, the more I shout, more aggressive my son gets.
- Scolding makes them more anxious. Children below 3-4 just neglect nagging. They hate it as much as we do. No point in reasoning your actions because they won't understand.
-There are kids who will get affected more by your scolding. Some withdraw into their shell preferring not to interact with adults or parents who scold And some think they are to be blamed for the constant remarks they get from their parent.
- A feeling of being unloved and being useless can be a dangerous psychological ground for depression to set in and become difficult to treat.
👦Signs of Fear
- Nervous mannerisms, shyness, withdrawal and aggressive behavior may be signs of childhood fears.
- A change in  normal eating and sleeping patterns may also signal an unhealthy fear. Children who “play sick” or feel anxious regularly may have some problems that need attention.
👦Streesful events
- I have been depressed half of my life. I consider myself as an example of what kind of a harm  childhood trauma can  cause to you.
- Childhood trauma ranges from death of loved one, emotional abuse to the the divorce, voilence..etc.
- Whether its a sexual, emotional or physical, abuse can be traumatic. Sometimes it may need medical intervention.
-  Relationship abuse can harm the children of every ages.
-Seeing voilence may desensitize a child.
Every child has a right to lead a healthy life  physically as well as emotionally.
asha chaudhry Priya Sood Khushboo Chouhan aditi manja Neha Sharma Sonam patel Sheeba Vijesh Sheeba Rizvi Foram Sumira Bhatia Ashika Imthiyaz