Early Relational Health
Early relational health (ERH): is the emotional connections between children & trusted adults that promote health and development. It leads to positive experiences, can help mitigate negative effects of trauma & adversity, and builds resilience (ability to recover from stressors and negative experiences). Observe, discuss, model, and praise specific parenting behaviours and healthy routines that promote ERH.
From ACES to early relational health: implications for clinical practice (CPS) Mt Sinai NY Parenting Center
- Build on each family’s relational strengths and protective factors, reinforce healthy routines, use anticipatory guidance to prepare parents for developmentally normal (and possibly challenging) behaviours, and help modify specific behaviours or skills when needed. Use of any physical punishment including spanking should be discouraged in all ages. Supporting Positive parenting (CPS)
- Family approaches to crying, sleep, and behaviour vary culturally, and navigating points of variance with sensitivity is key to providing culturally safe care.
- Parents of children at risk of, or showing signs of, behavioural or conduct problems may benefit from structured parenting programs which have been shown to increase positive parenting and reduce general behaviour problems. Access community resources to determine the most appropriate and available research-structured programs.
Disruptive behaviour (CPS/CACAP) Parenting skills (EECD)
e.g. The Incredible Years®, Triple P®, Strongest Families
Parent Resources
Caring For Kids - Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS)
Taming the Monsters: Helping Children Deal with their Fears - Canadian Paediatric Society – Caring for Kids
Positive discipline for young children - Canadian Paediatric Society – Caring for Kids
Helping Children Cope with Separation and Divorce - Canadian Paediatric Society – Caring for Kids
Helping children and teens cope with stressful public events - Canadian Paediatric Society – Caring for Kids
How to Foster your Child’s Self Esteem - CPS - Caring for Kids
About Kids Health - The Hospital for Sick Children
Tips for positive parenting and managing behaviour in children up to age 5 - AboutKidsHealth – Caring for Kids
Early language development in babies and toddlers - The Hospital for Sick Children - AboutKidsHealth
Babbling with your child - The Hospital for Sick Children - AboutKidsHealth
Tips for developing language at 3 years - The Hospital for Sick Children - AboutKidsHealth
Sensory development and activities for children older than 2 years - The Hospital for Sick Children - AboutKidsHealth
Spatial reasoning skills: How to foster in children - The Hospital for Sick Children - AboutKidsHealth
Early language development in babies and toddlers - The Hospital for Sick Children - AboutKidsHealth
UnlockFood.ca - Dietitians of Canada
Say Goodbye to Picky Eating. - Dietitians of Canada - UnlockFood.ca
Other Sources
What's the Best Way to Discipline My Child? - American Academy of Pediatrics - healthychildren.org