Specific Groups and Populations

Emotions: Helping Young Children Cope with Emotions

Introduction Your child was not born knowing how to control feelings or calm down and needs to learn this from you. You are your child’s first and most important teacher. A loving relationship with your child is the best way you can help them learn to deal with difficult feelings. Unpleasant Feelings that Your Child May Have Anger   Anger is a common feeling, and temper tantrums are normal in young children. They are your child’s way of letting you know that they feel angry, upset or frustrated. Try to find out what is bothering your child and respond differently depending on what is wrong.   If your child is ...

Gender Identity and Diversity: Information for Parents and Caregivers

Introduction For many people, the sex we are born with (designated at birth) is a good match for how we see ourselves on the inside. But for some, the sex and gender identity don’t match at all. This could mean that: A child who is born male at birth, feels like a girl on the inside (i.e. gender assigned male, trans female).  A child who is born female at birth, feels like a boy on the inside (i.e. gender assigned female, trans male).  A child or youth does not identify completely as either a boy or a girl. Gender While some people see gender as ‘binary’ (either you’re male or female), others see ...

I Think My Child is Gay or Lesbian: Information for Parents

Introduction Perhaps you have always wondered whether or not your child might be gay, lesbian or bisexual. Or perhaps your child has just ‘come out of the closet', and has said that she or he is gay. (Gay, by the way, can refer to a male interested in males, but it can also mean a female interested in females.)   Typical Parent Responses   Dealing with the possibility that your child is gay, or might be gay, can be an extremely stressful time for many parents and families. Some of the possible reactions that families may have are: Denial: "No, he can't be gay. He's had girlfriends before!" or "No, she can't ...

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH)

What is Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health? Everyone has mental health. Even infants and young children! Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) is about an infant and young child’s ability to: Form safe, secure relationships with adults and peers.Experience, manage and express a full range of emotions.Cope with stresses in life. Unfortunately, mental health issues are becoming an increasing problem for many of our children. Since 2010, mental health emergency visits at the Children ‘s Hospital of Eastern Ontario have increased by 75%One in four (26%) children in Ottawa are behind in their development as they enter school. ...

Infant Mental Health: Comforting Your Baby

Introduction Crying is the main way your baby can tell you what he or she needs. How you respond when your baby cries during the first year of life will teach your baby if he or she can count on you.   No one can comfort a baby ALL the time. What matters is that most of the time, you try to comfort him or her. Three Very Important Times To Pay Attention To Your Baby's Cries When your baby is sick When your baby is hurt When your baby is upset (for example, when he or she is sad, frightened or lonely) Comforting your baby at these times does not spoil him or her. It makes your baby feel respected and ...