Children’s mental health is an essential part of healthy development, especially during the earliest years of life. From birth to age five, children are learning how to understand emotions, build relationships, develop trust, and navigate the world around them. Just like a growing garden, young children need care, nurturing, and support to thrive.

The Cabarrus County Partnership for Children created The Growing Garden: Every Child Deserves the Right to Bloom to raise awareness about mental health in young children, ages birth to five, and connect families with resources that support emotional well-being during these critical early years.

This campaign reminds caregivers that they are not alone in helping children navigate life’s challenges. Through education, community partnerships, and practical tools, The Growing Garden aims to strengthen the ability of parents, caregivers, educators, and community members to support children during moments of emotional growth.

Weathering Together: Teaching Parents to Guide Kids Through Emotional Storms

Life brings big feelings for children, including excitement, frustration, sadness, fear, and uncertainty. For children from birth to age five, emotional regulation is still developing, and caregivers play an important role in helping young children feel safe, understood, and supported.

This campaign focuses on helping caregivers understand how to guide children through these emotional experiences with patience, reassurance, and connection.

Just as gardens need sunlight, rain, and protection through changing seasons, children need caring adults who can help them feel safe, supported, and understood.

Mental health begins in infancy and early childhood.

For children ages birth to five, emotional well-being impacts:

• Ability to build healthy relationships
• School readiness and learning
• Social development
• Physical health
• Self-confidence and resilience
• Ability to cope with stress and change

Early support can make a lasting difference.

When families have access to resources, education, and supportive relationships, children are more likely to develop healthy coping skills and strong emotional foundations.

Young children express emotions differently depending on their age, personality, developmental stage, and experiences. Some signs that a child may need extra emotional support include:

• Difficulty calming down after being upset
• Increased tantrums or emotional outbursts
• Changes in sleep or eating habits
• Increased clinginess or separation anxiety
• Withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed
• Difficulty expressing feelings
• Challenges with transitions or change

Experiencing big emotions is a normal part of development. The goal is not to eliminate emotions, but to help children learn healthy ways to understand and express them.

Supporting the mental health of young children can happen through simple, everyday interactions.

Build Strong Connections

• Spend one-on-one time together
• Create predictable routines
• Offer comfort and reassurance
• Practice active listening

Teach Emotional Language

• Help children name their feelings
• Model healthy emotional expression
• Talk openly about emotions
• Use books and play to discuss feelings

Create Calm Spaces

• Encourage quiet moments when emotions feel overwhelming
• Practice deep breathing together
• Offer sensory activities or movement breaks
• Maintain safe, supportive environments

Ask for Support When Needed

• Reach out to trusted professionals
• Talk with pediatricians or educators
• Explore community resources
• Connect with family support programs

The Cabarrus County Partnership for Children works to strengthen the capacity of families, educators, and the community to ensure child well-being.

Through partnerships, education, and outreach, we help connect families with services that support children’s healthy growth and development.

Our goal is to ensure that every child from birth to age five has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive during the most important years of development.

Every child deserves the chance to bloom.

By learning more about children’s mental health and sharing resources within our community, we can help create stronger support systems for children and families.

We invite caregivers, educators, and community members to:

• Follow along with campaign updates throughout the year
• Share resources with families and caregivers
• Attend local outreach events
• Learn more about emotional wellness in early childhood
• Advocate for child well-being in Cabarrus County

Together, we can weather emotional storms and help children build strong roots for the future.