Each year, February marks the date for Children’s Mental Health Week. It is the perfect opportunity to reflect on how we can all contribute to improving children’s mental wellbeing. Often overlooked in favour of a focus on ‘physical’ health, good mental health for children is, of course, profoundly important. This special week occurs every year during February and has done so for over a decade. Let’s take a closer look today and see how the initiative can both inspire and empower parents and families to help children’s mental health thrive.
“Around 50% of mental health conditions are established before age 14.” — Place2Be (Children’s Mental Health Charity).
What & When is Children’s Mental Health Week?
Children’s Mental Health Week is designed to bring greater awareness around the mental health of children. It aims to give children a voice, empower them, and give them the tools to thrive. It is a UK initiative originally launched in 2015 by Place2Be, a charity that focuses on children’s mental health.
In 2026, Children’s Mental Health Week will be from Monday the 9th to Sunday the 15th of February inclusive.
The Theme for 2026
Each year, the event has a theme. The theme for 2026 is ‘This is My Place’. It brings a focus to the need, by every child, to feel they belong. Whether it’s to a friendship group, peers at their nursery or school, their family, a club, or a team of some kind, it’s incredibly important for every child to feel they belong. Hence, the theme ‘This is My Place’ for 2026. Click the thumbnail image or this link to launch the official video.
“To know our place and really feel part of our environment is a basic human need. It can have powerful and long-lasting impacts in lots of areas of our lives, including our physical and mental health, education, employment and relationships. When we feel that we belong, it empowers us to contribute to the world and make a real difference.” — Place2Be.
By feeling they belong, children will feel that they are connected, accepted, and valued for who they are. That’s important for children of any age and, in turn, will help them feel happy and safe. It will also teach them to be more inclusive and kind towards others, so no child feels alone or an outsider.
“As parents and carers, you play an important role in your child’s wellbeing.” — Place2Be.
Resources for Families of Children — Including Under 5s
Although the charity that founded Children’s Mental Health Week is primarily involved in supporting children in schools, the overall theme applies equally well to pre-school children under five. Indeed, the Place2Be charity has support and resources that fit perfectly with helping good mental health in children in their early years. Families can download free resources here, and useful information for parents and carers here.
How Can Families Help Children?
To facilitate children’s good mental health, parents and carers have a number of ways to help children, including under-fives, to feel that they fit in and are valued. A few examples include:
- Enrolling them in environments like clubs, nurseries, and sports teams, and nurturing their participation in friendship groups.
- Taking an avid interest in the child’s interests — getting involved, asking them questions about what they’re passionate about, and encouraging them in associated activities.
- Taking the time to be present with your child, engaging with them proactively during activities they’re interested in, and avoiding other distractions whilst doing so.
- Encouraging activities that clearly make them happy and feel safe.
- Allowing them to choose and steer activities, while also allowing them to explore other pastimes that may be new to them.
- Listening, allowing them to speak, encouraging and reassuring them at every step.
- Ensuring they have a warm, comfortable space of their own where they can play while feeling safe and nurtured.
- Providing consistency so that bonds with siblings, friends, and peers can grow and flourish.
- Encouraging those relationships that look to be the most healthy for your child, while withdrawing them from toxic environments that don’t look healthy.
- Being your child’s biggest cheerleader — applauding their achievements and boosting their self-worth and confidence.
- Talking with children to explore their feelings around belonging, being included, being important, being liked by peers, being loved by family, and being enormously valued.
“1 in 5 children currently has a probable mental health disorder.” — Place2Be.
With it being likely that 1 in 5 children has a mental health disorder and around half of such disorders being established before the age of 14, it’s never been more important to address the issue. As parents and carers, we need to be conscious of the issues, aware of the possible signs, and equipped with the tools to support our children. Learn more about Children’s Mental Health Week and some of the support available here. A non-profit called MindForward Alliance also has an excellent toolkit for parents whose children are experiencing mental health difficulties. Download the toolkit here.
Little Cedars Nursery, Streatham
A High-Quality Childcare Service for Southwest London
Do you have a child under five and live in Streatham or close by? Little Cedars Nursery provides high-quality childcare in Streatham, and we’re conveniently close to families in Streatham Common, Streatham Hill, Streatham Park, Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood. Rated ‘Good’ in all categories by Ofsted, we also support free childcare hours for eligible children from the age of 9 months to 5 years.
Start your childcare application today or contact us to learn more:
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Each year on 20 November, families, nurseries, and schools around the world mark World Children’s Day — a global celebration of children and a reminder that every child deserves to be safe, loved, and heard.
At Little Cedars Nursery, we believe childhood should be filled with discovery, laughter, and a sense of belonging. Each day presents countless opportunities for children to explore their world, build friendships and develop confidence in who they are.
The values behind World Children’s Day are deeply woven into the early years. When children feel valued and respected, they learn to value and respect others. Through play, they develop empathy — comforting a friend who feels sad, or cheering when someone else achieves something new.
Even the youngest children have ideas, preferences, and opinions — and part of our role is to listen carefully to them. That might mean noticing a baby’s cues and interests, or responding when a toddler points out something new they’ve discovered.
While World Children’s Day falls just once a year, its spirit is something we celebrate every day. Each time a child is encouraged to speak up, to show kindness, or to follow their curiosity, they’re practising the values that shape a fair and caring world.
Childhood passes so quickly — a blur of breakfast times, nursery drop-offs, and bedtime stories. Yet every so often, something extraordinary happens: a moment that will light up a child’s eyes and linger in their memory for years to come. These are the magical moments that they never forget. They’re also moments that help shape how children see the world, their place within it — and sometimes even themselves.
Psychologists tell us that children build their sense of self through experiences that stir strong, positive emotions — especially awe, wonder, joy, and belonging. These feelings act as emotional anchors, shaping how safe, capable, and loved a child feels. When parents or caregivers create a moment that makes a child’s heart race or eyes widen with joy or wonder, they’re not just giving them a fun memory — they’re helping to build emotional security that lasts well into adulthood.
Magical childhood memories do not require grand holidays or costly toys. They’re far more likely to spring from connection, surprise, wonder, and imagination.
On a clear night, gently wake your child and wrap them in a blanket to watch a meteor shower or count shooting stars. Tell them about the Northern Lights, how they can wish on a star, how astronauts are planning to travel vast distances to Mars, and give them inspiration for their dreams. The quiet awe of the night sky will stay with them forever.
Leave a tiny note or drawing from the “garden fairies” or “forest pixies” thanking your child for something kind they’ve done — perhaps watering houseplants or helping a friend or sibling. It’s a simple act that blends imagination with a message of kindness and care. Perhaps take it a step further and encourage little ones to make mossy beds for the fairies, and a little home-made miniature shelter for them to sleep in. Take photos of them as a memento for your child.
Create small rituals that return every year — picking flowers in springtime to display around the home, having a “summer-solstice supper” in the garden, or putting out biscuits and carrots on Christmas Eve for Santa’s reindeer — be sure to show your little one how the carrots have been nibbled on Christmas morning! Such traditions will give children a comforting rhythm and a sense that life’s changes can be filled with fun and joy.
Pause for half an hour to watch the sunrise or sunset together, make wishes while blowing dandelion seeds into the breeze, or follow a butterfly in the park to see where it leads. These small acts teach children that magic is woven through the everyday world — they just have to stop a while and notice it sometimes.
As adults, those memories often become emotional landmarks: the glow of torchlight in a tent, the spectacle of a meteor streaking across the sky, the distinctive smell of campfire food being carried on the wind, and telling stories beneath a blanket. Such recollections help shape optimism and emotional well-being long after childhood ends. They are also the moments that, years later, children will recall fondly and still talk about.
Sleepless nights are something most parents expect when a new baby arrives. But sometimes those broken nights can stretch on for months, through into toddlerhood, or even beyond. For affected families, bedtime can become a battle every night, and soon the exhaustion can build up and take its toll. 
A sleep consultant works with families to understand a child’s sleep patterns and suggest gentle, practical ways to improve things. They spend time learning about a child’s routine, feeding habits, daily schedule, and sleep environment before creating an improvement plan that feels realistic for the child’s family. The idea isn’t about handing parents a rigid set of rules, but about working together to find an approach that feels the most suitable and fits in with the family’s values.
Working with a sleep consultant often begins with a thorough conversation about your child’s routine — what time they go to bed, how they fall asleep, how they feed, and what happens during the night. From there, the consultant will create a personalised plan that involves tailored changes. These might be small adjustments, such as introducing a calmer wind-down before bed, or they could involve gradually teaching your child to settle with less help. It may also include strategies for how you respond when your child wakes in the night.
Costs for hiring a sleep consultant vary. Depending on the consultant contacted, a one-off initial consultation can often be an affordable first step — and one that will allow families to explore the potential of proceeding with a full plan. However, a full package with several weeks of guidance can often be several hundred pounds. In-home, overnight support is potentially at an even higher end of the scale — but, again, it varies from consultant to consultant. Many families find that online or phone-based support from a sleep consultant is more affordable, and sometimes just as effective.
At Little Cedars Nursery, we understand that sleep — or the lack of it — has a huge impact on family life. Sleep consultants may not be a quick fix, but for families who are reaching their limit, they can offer a real lifeline. Success usually comes from finding someone whose approach aligns with your parenting style, sticking with the plan for long enough to see improvements, and feeling supported along the way.
Tantrums are a common part of life with toddlers and under-fives, but when they happen, they can be very challenging! Whether it’s a meltdown at dinner time or a dramatic on-the-floor outburst in the middle of the supermarket aisle, they can test even the most patient of parents and carers. However, it’s important to understand that tantrums aren’t a sign that something is wrong — they’re actually a normal, healthy stage of child development.
In their early years, children are still learning how to manage big emotions. There’s a mismatch, though; their brains are developing rapidly, but they haven’t yet mastered language, impulse control, or emotional regulation. So, when they’re tired, hungry, overstimulated, or frustrated, it can all become too much for them. 
When a tantrum starts, staying calm yourself is key. Your child will take emotional cues from you, their trusted adult. If you can remain steady, even if you’re feeling flustered inside, you send the message that you’re in control—and that they’re safe.
Avoid reasoning or explaining too much during a tantrum. When a child is overwhelmed, they’re unlikely to take much in. It’s often best to wait it out and stay close so they know they’re not alone. For some children, a gentle touch or hug might be helpful. Others may need a bit of space before they’re ready for comfort.
Offering limited choices — like “Would you like to wear the red jumper or the blue one?” — can also give them a sense of control without overwhelming them.
In today’s world, electronic screens are everywhere — from TVs and smartphones to tablets and games consoles. Even our youngest children are growing up in increasingly digital environments. While technology brings many conveniences, intentionally unplugging can offer profound benefits for little ones and their families. Whether it’s for a day, a weekend, a holiday, or even longer, the value gained from a ‘digital detox’ may surprise even the most dubious amongst us. Today’s post investigates.
Research consistently shows the positive effects of stepping away from our screens. Studies report that a digital detox can lead to decreased stress and anxiety, improved mood and well-being, and even better physical health through healthier, less sedentary, lifestyles. Pausing the use of electronic screens can even help reset our perception of time, making days feel longer, fuller, and more engaged.
When families go screen-free, the benefits extend well beyond the individual. Removing screens often rekindles face-to-face interactions and facilitates more laughter and unfiltered conversations within the family. Parents who’ve tried it report a renewed sense of connection and deeper engagement with their children. Even short periods of unplugging can turn into lasting changes—more shared stories, more creative play, and more real presence.
Better sleep for everyone with children tending to drop off more easily and adults feeling more rested.
Begin by designating screen-free boundaries, such as bedrooms or mealtimes, and/or set a daily screen-free hour in the evening.
The evidence clearly shows: families who have periods free of electronic screens will benefit. A digital detox enriches and elongates days. It enhances sleep quality for children and adults by facilitating their natural rhythms. Days feel more spacious and calm without digital distractions and imaginative play soon steps in and thrives. In the absence of screens, children are also likely to get outdoors more often — and benefit from everything nature and outdoor play have to offer. Mental health and even academic grades are also likely to improve when this happens.