From your baby’s first smile to a whole range of emotions, your child is reaching many developmental milestones.
A young child’s brain experiences major growth in these earliest years of childhood, affecting mental health and social-emotional well-being. As you help your child feel safe and cared for, you’re supporting their development of mental wellness skills to manage life’s challenges.
Find out how to support your child’s mental fitness in early childhood.
During the school years, children begin to focus more on life outside the home.
Friends, homework, sports, and social activities help build your child’s self-esteem. By supporting your child’s growing independence, you’re helping them gain a sense of responsibility and learn to make good choices.
Learn more about mental fitness in school-age children.
Your teen is looking for more independence and responsibility as they develop their unique personality.
With this independence comes a greater focus on their own interests, opinions, activities, and friends. As you help them learn to make decisions on their own, they become capable to take on more responsibilities.
Read more about mental fitness in teens.
During the transition to adulthood, your young person may move out to attend college or start a career. As you give them more space to grow, your young adult still needs the support of a loving family during a time of excitement, adventure, and uncertainty.
Explore ways to promote mental fitness in young adults.
