Children’s Mental Health Week at DECAL is May 1 – 5, 2023!

DECAL is excited to celebrate the third annual Children's Mental Health Week, May 1–5 this year. Once again, we have many fun activities planned, and we look forward to recognizing the importance of children’s mental health not just this week, but every day!

Children develop social and emotional skills—mental health—through strong, nurturing relationships with the adults in their lives. There is a window of opportunity in early childhood to establish the foundation for a child’s emotional wellbeing throughout life. During Children’s Mental Health Week, we promote activities that help children develop social emotional skills. We also celebrate the profound impact of early learning professionals and all caregivers on the emotional wellbeing of young children.

How to participate in Children’s Mental Health Week:

Sign up for a virtual puppet show:

Register 3-year-old and Pre-K classes for a virtual Mental Health America of Georgia Puppet Show about Feelings at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-cmh-week-feelings-puppet-show-tickets-601548637167

Space is limited so if you are unable to register for a puppet show this week, you can schedule a FREE show throughout the year by contacting Lorie Summers at Lorie@mhageorgia.org or visiting the Mental Health America of Georgia Webpage: https://www.mhageorgia.org/kids-on-the-block/

Read a book to your class:

Learn Tucker’s 4-step technique to calm himself whenever he feels upset. Check out DECAL’s social media on May 1st to see Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs read Tucker Turtle Takes Time to Tuck and Think and share with your classroom! See the Resources tab below for a PDF of the story.

Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer, a story that helps young children learn how to cope with feelings, is our 2023 Children’s Mental Health Week story. DECAL partners including Georgia legislators will be reading the story to children around the state the first week of May.

For a list of books supporting children’s mental health for all ages, see Resources tab below.

Learn how to take a breath:

Celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week in your classroom:

DECAL’s Infant Toddler, Pre-K, Inclusion and Behavior Support and Nutrition and Physical Activity Specialists, designed classroom activities especially for Children’s Mental Health Week. Check out the Activities and Resources tabs below for age-appropriate activities for Mindful Monday, Talk It Out Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Thoughtful Thursday, and Feelings Friday!

Take Care of Yourself:

The emotional wellbeing of children’s caregivers has a substantial impact on children’s ability to develop social and emotional resilience. Be sure to check out the self-care resources under the Teachers tab below.

We’re giving awayself-care gift cards for teachers!

Once again, our partners at the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) will provide self-care gift cards for early learning teachers and providers. Post a photo of your class engaged in Children’s Mental Health Week activities with the hashtags #littlekidsbigfeelings and #DECALCMHWeek2023 on social media. You will automatically be entered into the drawing. Please ensure that you have family permission to post pictures of children and include the teacher’s location and name.

Free Your Feels (FYF) is our Social Media Sponsor for Children’s Mental Health Week Feelings Friday 2023:

• Add the #FreeYourFeelsFriday hashtag alongside #FeelingsFriday, #DECALCMHWeek2023 when you share your Feelings Friday dance party on social media, which will be used for giveaway purposes as well as FYF content throughout the month of May. Please ensure you have family permission to post pictures of children.
• FYF will provide two giveaways — one to a classroom of Pre-K students, another to a teacher. Winners must participate in the Feelings Friday dance party by posting a video or photo of their classroom dancing. They must also use the hashtag #FreeYourFeelsFriday. Winners will be randomly selected the following week.
  • Student /classroom giveaway will include:
    • $25 Amazon gift card to purchase student wellbeing items for the classroom (e.g., calming corner items, feelings posters, breathing board)
    • FYF poster
    • FYF sketch pads / journals
    • FYF stress balls in shape of brain
    • Age-appropriate books
  • Teacher giveaway will include:
    • $25 Amazon gift card for teacher to purchase self-care items
    • FYF water bottle
    • FYF t-shirt
    • FYF journal and pen
    • FYF stress ball
    • FYF tote bag

Attend a free virtual learning session about Infant Early Childhood Mental Health on May 25^th at noon:

Register for free trainings offered throughout year from our partners at the Child Welfare Training Collaborative at Georgia State University – School of Social Work and receive DECAL approved training hours:

https://peprogram.gsu.edu/programs/child-welfare-training-collaborative/child-welfare-training-calendar/

A special thank you to DECAL’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 Planning Committee:

Activities and Resources: