Welcome to the May edition of the Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation newsletter! This edition will look more closely at aggression, the final category on the Request for Services form. 

The Request for Services form describes aggression as any attempt or physical contact with another person in the form of hitting, kicking, biting, choking, pushing, poking, pulling hair, spitting, throwing things with directional intent.  

As early childhood professionals, we know behavior is a form of communication. If we approach aggression through this lens, we can support young children to find safe and positive ways to express themselves and have their needs met.  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Science tells us that the foundations of sound mental health are built early in life. Early experiences—including children’s relationships with parents, caregivers, relatives, teachers, and peers—interact with genes to shape the architecture of the developing brain.

InBrief: Early Childhood Mental Health 5:07. This video explains how improving children’s environments of relationships and experiences early in life can prevent initial difficulties from disrupting later development and mental health.

When infants display anger and aggression, it is often due to discomfort, pain or frustration. Older babies will use aggression to protect themselves, to express anger or to get what they want. When your baby is aggressive, it is because they have not learned a better way of behaving. Aggressive behavior in toddlers (hitting, kicking, biting, etc.) usually peaks around age two, a time when toddlers have very strong feelings, but are not yet able to use language effectively to express themselves. Toddlers also don't have the self-control to stop themselves from acting on their feelings.

Aggressive Behavior in Toddlers. Tips to manage aggressive behavior in toddlers and help children manage strong emotions and reactions.

Understanding and Responding to Children Who Bite. This article will help you understand the reasons young children bite and give some ideas and strategies for responding appropriately.

Hands Are Not for Hitting: Using Books to Support Social Emotional Development. Hands Are Not for Hitting is one of the stories from the Book Nook about alternative actions and activities that children and adults can do with their hands instead of hitting. The story helps children understand why they may feel like hitting and offers many ways one can deal with feelings.

Aggressive behavior is a normal and typical part of growing up and it is critical for caregivers to help their children learn how to manage it. As preschoolers get older, they show less and less physical aggression mostly because the parts of their brains that control aggression are better developed.

Helping Kids Manage Anger. Here’s a collection of tools and tips to teach children how to manage their anger in safe and healthy ways.

“I Won’t Be your Friend If You Don’t!” Preventing and Responding to Relational Aggression in Preschool Classrooms. Helping children understand their social world and develop ways to meet their emotional and social needs is a critical part of early education.

Teaching Belly Breathing. This is a great calming activity or coping tool to use when children have big feelings and need to “cool down.”

Relational Aggression in Elementary School: The Search for the Power Between. In order to spot relational aggression, you need to know what to look for. Read more to learn what it looks like, what drives it, and how to be the change.

Anger Management for Kids! 6:07. Learn the definition of anger, how it feels, and four positive ways of coping.

14 Tips on Addressing Student Aggression. These 14 tips are a good starting point for helping students who act-out and keeping other students safe in the process.

Helping Young Children Channel Their Aggression. Aggression can be part of healthy development. Get tips and strategies for channeling and managing aggressive behavior in young children.

Aggression in Preschoolers. Families play an influential role in aggression and bullying by: being aware, involved and taking action, as well as, listening and communicating with their child.

Responding to Your Child’s Bite. Biting is one of the ways toddlers express their needs, desires or feelings. This handout provides information on why children bite, what to do, and what not to do.

IECMH Consultants are available by appointment to provide IECMHC Virtual Office Hours consultation via telephone or video conference. IECMHC Virtual Office Hours is a short-term, collaborative, problem-solving conversation to help you find next steps for: Child Social-Emotional Concerns | Child Behavioral or Developmental Concerns Emotional Well-being of Teachers and Caregivers | Partnering with Families.

Appointments are held on the first and third Fridays of the month, or other days/times by request. Get more info.

The Pennsylvania Key has streamlined the process for Keystone STARS programs to request Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC). Child care providers can request services by using the Request for Service Form (PDF). Completed forms can be submitted via email PAIECMH@pakeys.org or faxed to 717-213-3749.

Programs and families can contact the program leadership directly at PAIECMH@pakeys.org with questions or concerns.

With the generous support of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), the Pennsylvania Key IECMH Consultation team was able to add staff member, Lauren Walter, to support School Age Child Care (SACC) programs participating in Keystone STARS.  This service will be primarily tele-consultation support. Click here to request support.  

Share your feedback! We'd like to hear what you think about infant early childhood mental health. Are there resources you'd like to see? Questions you have? Tell us! Send your feedback to PAIECMH@pakeys.org.