Promoting Positive Mental Health: An Activity Guide for Parents

Here are some simple yet powerful activities that can cultivate positive mental health experiences:

• Establishing Rituals and Routines
  Rituals and routines provide a sense of predictability and stability for young children, helping them feel safe and secure in their environment. Consider incorporating the following rituals and routines into your daily life:
  • Morning and bedtime routines: Establish consistent rituals for waking up and going to bed, such as reading a bedtime story or sharing highlights from the day.
  • Mealtime rituals: Create special traditions around mealtime, such as setting the table together or sharing a favorite family recipe.
  • Transition rituals: Develop rituals for transitions, such as saying goodbye before leaving for school or welcoming your child home after a day apart. ​Don’t be afraid to be creative and make your own unique rituals as a family.

By consistently practicing these rituals and routines, you can instill a sense of familiarity and connection in your child’s daily life, promoting a feeling of safety and predictability.

• Exploring New Experiences
  While routines provide a sense of security, it’s also important to expose children to new experiences and challenges to support their growth and development. Here are some ways to encourage exploration and curiosity:
  • Visit new places: Take your child on outings to explore new environments, such as parks, museums or community events. There are many opportunities each month to gain free access to many of the popular museums and attractions throughout the Chicagoland area.
  • Try new activities: Encourage your child to try new hobbies or activities that spark their interest, whether it’s painting, dancing or playing a musical instrument.
  • Embrace nature: Spend time outdoors exploring nature together, whether it’s going for a hike, collecting and sorting leaves or playing in the backyard.

By introducing new experiences in a supportive and encouraging environment, you can help your child develop confidence, resilience and a sense of curiosity about the world around them.

• Cultivating Connection
  Building strong connections with caregivers, family members and peers is essential for promoting positive mental health in early childhood. Here are some ways to foster meaningful connections:
  • Quality time: Set aside dedicated time each day to spend one-on-one with your child, engaging in activities they enjoy and showing genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings. Even for the busiest of schedules, dedicating a small amount time together can have a tremendous impact.
  • Family traditions: Create special traditions and rituals that bring your family together, such as movie nights, game nights or weekend outings.
  • Social interactions: Encourage your child to interact with peers through playdates, preschool or community groups, providing opportunities for friendship and social development.