7 things that parents must do for the mental health of children & bull; hello healthy

During childhood, healthy growth is characterized not only by physical changes but also accompanied by mental development. Both physical and mental health are necessary for children to live their teenage life into adulthood. However, the mental health needs of children tend to be difficult to understand and are very likely to be overlooked by parents in parenting.

Why is it important to maintain children's mental health?

Children's mental health is not only defined as the mental condition of children who do not experience mental illness, but also includes the ability to think clearly, control emotions, and socialize with children their own age. Children who have good mental health will have several positive characteristics, for example being able to adapt to circumstances, deal with stress, maintain good relationships and rise from difficult situations.

Conversely, poor mental health during childhood can lead to more serious behavioral disorders due to mental and emotional imbalances, as well as poor social life.

What needs to be done in maintaining the mental health of children

Optimal mental development of children must be preceded by good mental health conditions. Here are some things parents can do to maintain a child's mental health:

1. Build children's self-confidence

This effort is very important to do to encourage children to learn and keep trying new things. This can be done in a number of ways, for example:

• Praise them when they start learning new things.
• Helping children in determining goals according to their abilities.
• Avoid words, attitudes, and behaviors that make children stop trying when they fail.
• Teach children to work in groups.
• Be honest when making mistakes, teach children to accept mistakes and failures.

2. Let the children play

For children, playtime is just a time for fun, when in fact this time is also a time when children learn various things. During play, children are also helped to be creative, learn how to solve problems, and how to control themselves. Actively moving while playing also helps children to be physically and mentally healthy.

3. Encourage children to socialize

Besides playing with parents, children also need to interact with children their own age. Playing with peers will help children recognize their weaknesses and strengths, and learn to live side by side with others. Finding friends to play with can be done by inviting children to visit the neighborhood, recreation areas, or enrolling children in school.

4. Teach children to enjoy the process

Teach children to understand that winning or achieving goals is not everything, and enjoying the process is the most important thing in doing something. When the child participates in a game or plays sports, try asking how the child feels when he is playing instead of asking if he won the game. Always demanding your child to win can trigger fear of defeat, or worry about trying new things, and this can be frustrating for your child.

5. Teach discipline fairly and consistently

In addition to needing opportunities to learn new things and live independently, children also need to know some behaviors that should not be done, and that they will receive consequences for doing so. Advising and giving examples is the best way to apply disciplinary behavior that has a basis of goodness, religious values, and social norms.

6. Criticize the behavior, not the person

When going to punish or criticize mistakes made by children, stay focused on the child's actions. Say that the behavior is wrong or not good without labeling the child like calling him a "bad boy."

7. Create a safe home environment

Home is the first place where children learn various things. A safe home environment and a harmonious family will support the mental development of children. Conversely, an unsafe home atmosphere can cause children to become anxious or experience fear and this can hamper children's development. In addition, good house conditions will also help children to rebuild their self-confidence when they experience difficulties and problems.

Changes in children's behavior that parents should watch out for

The mental condition of the child will very easily have an impact on the child's behavior. This change in behavior may be caused by something that disturbs the child's mind or emotional condition, and this can affect the child's mental health and development. Here are some behavior changes that can occur in children:

• Looks discouraged and irritable
• Tends to explode when angry
• Shows an aggressive attitude and does not obey the words of the parents
• Hyperactive or unable to stay still for no apparent reason
• Avoid going to school or not wanting to play with children his age
• Often looks anxious
• It's easy to get scared
• Decrease in academic achievement at school

If some of these things are experienced by children, immediately handle them by asking the children to talk about the problems they are experiencing. Some behavioral changes tend to be difficult to determine the cause, so treatment and assessment from a child's mental health professional may be necessary.