Why Early Childhood Mental Health Is Just as Important as Physical Health

Signs a Young Child Is Doing Well Emotionally

Parents often ask, “How do I know if my child is on track?” To answer this, you should look for patterns over time, not one hard day.

Here are some patterns to look out for:

• Shows curiosity and playful energy.
• Makes eye contact and enjoys back-and-forth play.
• Calms with help from an adult and returns to play.
• Follows simple directions most of the time.
• Tries new activities, even if a little nervous at first.
• Uses words, gestures, or pictures to show needs.

When To Pay Extra Attention

Every child has tough moments. Still, some signs deserve a closer look, especially if they persist for weeks or interfere with daily life.

These signs include:

• Very frequent, long tantrums or intense aggression.
• Constant sadness, withdrawal, or loss of interest in play.
• Ongoing trouble sleeping or eating.
• Extreme clinginess beyond what is typical for age.
• Regression in skills that were already learned.
• Physical complaints like stomachaches with no clear cause.

If you see these patterns, talk with your pediatrician or a child development specialist. Early help can prevent bigger problems later.

How Strong Mental Health Supports Learning

Children who manage emotions, pay attention, and feel safe with adults are ready to learn. Studies show that early mental health skills predict better reading, math, and classroom behavior in later grades. When programs support social and emotional growth, children tend to show stronger impulse control, fewer behavior problems, and better approaches to learning.

For young learners, this can mean:

• More time focusing on stories, letters, and numbers.
• Smoother transitions between activities.
• Improved problem-solving with peers during play.
• Confidence to try, fail, and try again.

Common Early Conditions and Their Impact

Some children face challenges that call for more support. The table below gives a quick summary.

Condition	What Families Might Notice	Impact on Development
ADHD – Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder	Inattention, impulsivity, high activity level.	Makes focusing on tasks harder and can affect learning and friendships.
Anxiety Disorders	Excessive worry, fear of separation or new situations, frequent complaints of stomachaches.	Can lead to avoiding school or social play, slows confidence building.
Depression	Ongoing sadness or irritability, loss of interest in play.	Low energy and motivation can strain learning and relationships.
Behavior Disorders (ODD/CD)	Persistent defiance, aggression, rule-breaking.	Disrupts learning and family life, may strain peer relationships.

If you recognize these signs, early evaluation and family support can help children build coping strategies and keep development on track.

Practical Things Parents and Caregivers Can Do Every Day

Small habits create big changes over time. 

Try a few of these:

• Build a simple routine. Regular wake, meal, and bedtime patterns lower stress.
• Talk, read, and sing daily. Narrate your day, name feelings, and invite back-and-forth conversation.
• Practice co-regulation. When your child is upset, you stay calm first. Breathe together, use a soft voice, and offer a hug or a hand squeeze.
• Create a calm corner. A pillow, soft toy, and books can make a safe reset spot at home.
• Use play to teach skills. Taking turns in a game teaches patience and kindness.
• Keep screens limited for little ones. More real-world play beats more screen time.
• Ask for help. Parenting is hard. Support from family, friends, and local programs makes a difference.

You can also try a five-minute daily check-in. Ask your child:

• What made you smile today?
• What felt hard?
• What is one thing you want to try tomorrow?

This simple routine builds language, trust, and emotional insight.

Learn about the Early Childhood programs at Sunrise Children’s Foundation

Help for Families in Las Vegas and Nearby Communities

Life in Southern Nevada brings special stressors. Many families face high housing costs and long work hours. There is also a shortage of child mental health providers, which can lead to waitlists. These pressures affect parents and kids.

The good news is that free or low-cost help exists close to home. Programs rooted in our community can lower stress, build skills, and connect families to added care when needed.

Sunrise Children’s Foundation: Local Programs That Support Emotional Health

Sunrise Children’s Foundation serves Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and the surrounding areas. Our Early Childhood programs blend education, health, and family support. That mix is ideal for nurturing social and emotional growth, while catching concerns early.

Early Head Start

We operate Early Head Start for families with infants and toddlers. Our program uses play-based learning to build social and emotional skills, along with early language and problem-solving. Regular developmental screenings also help to identify delays or concerns so families can get help early. Families will also receive referrals to healthcare and community services. The goal is school readiness and a strong start for both body and mind.

Home Visiting Program

We also offer free in-home visits for families with children from birth to kindergarten age in Clark and Nye counties. With these visits, trained educators will come to you. 

These visits focus on:

• Responsive parenting and bonding.
• Early literacy activities that you can do at home.
• Building routines that reduce stress.
• Social-emotional development checks for children.

The program also screens for parental depression, family violence, and substance use. When risks are found, families are connected to counseling, therapy, or other support. Research on the program shows improvements in children’s social skills and emotion regulation, and less separation anxiety when starting school. Parents also report more confidence and a stronger network of support.

WIC Nutrition Services

Food security supports mental health. Sunrise runs WIC clinics for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children up to age 5. WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, and referrals to healthcare and family resources. 

When families worry less about groceries, stress drops at home, and parents can focus more on bonding and daily routines. Lactation educators also help with breastfeeding, which supports infant health and attachment.

Connections and Partnerships That Expand Help

We also partner with local agencies to match families with added support when needed. That can include early childhood mental health consultants, children’s mental health services through the state, and community groups that provide counseling, crisis response, or parent education. These links help families get the right help at the right time.

Quick Guide to Sunrise Programs

Program	Who It Serves	How It Supports Mental Health
Early Head Start	Pregnant mothers and families with children from birth to age 3.	Play-based learning, regular developmental screenings, family referrals, and a focus on social and emotional milestones.
Home Visiting Program	Expectant parents and families with children up to kindergarten.	Coaching on responsive parenting and routines, social-emotional checks, screenings for parent needs, and referrals to counseling or therapy.
WIC Nutrition Services	Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children up to age 5.	Healthy foods and nutrition education, plus referrals that reduce family stress and support secure bonding.

How To Get Started With Services in Southern Nevada

• Explore our website to see eligibility and locations.
• Ask your pediatrician about a social-emotional screening. Bring up any concerns you may have noticed at home or in child care.
• If your child is in preschool or child care, request a meeting to talk about behavior and support strategies.
• For urgent mental health needs, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Ask for help for a child or teen and explain the situation.
• Nevada’s Mobile Crisis Response teams and DCFS outpatient clinics can provide therapy and care coordination. Your pediatrician, school counselor, or Sunrise program can help with referrals.

Many families qualify for free support. Do not wait for a crisis. Early help is easier on your child and your family.

Everyday Social-Emotional Activities You Can Try This Week

Pick one or two and repeat them daily:

• Feelings check: Use a simple feelings chart at breakfast and bedtime.
• The cozy minute: One minute of snuggle time or gentle back rub before lights out.
• Story swap: Each family member shares one success and one challenge from the day.
• Play-and-pause: During play, practice stop, breathe, and go, to teach impulse control.
• Three calming breaths: Model slow breathing with your child every time you buckle the car seat.

These short practices build attention, self-control, and trust. Over time, they become habits your child uses in school and in friendships.