Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >
Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >At 34 months, Benjamin was throwing half-hour tantrums every day in his early learning facility. An Early Childhood Mental Health consultant—a person with special skills in working with young children with emotional and behavior problems—came to observe Benjamin.
His teachers thought the problem began at home because even though he had always thrown tantrums, they got worse when his mother became pregnant again and his father left town. The consultant called the mother who reported she was bedridden with a high-risk pregnancy and her husband was out of town for six weeks. The consultant helped make a change in Benjamin’s morning routine at the early learning facility, and his mother asked his grandmother to help her at bedtime.
Within two weeks, Benjamin was having only two tantrums the whole week, each lasting only a few minutes. He didn’t need to be referred for any additional services.
About 15% of young children have mild-to-moderate behavior problems like Benjamin’s. If they’re not addressed, they can lead to bigger problems as the child grows. Less than 10% of young children receive the services they need for their problems. Benjamin was one of the lucky ones to receive help early.
Early childhood mental health means healthy social and emotional development in young children. Children are more likely to develop good social and emotional skills when they have safe, secure, and nurturing relationships with other people. With those skills, they can then learn how to handle everyday conflicts and challenges, and to trust others and feel empathy, compassion, and generosity.
Programs and parents can contact the Early Childhood Mental Health Project at PAIECMH@pakeys.org with questions or concerns.
Programs and families can contact the program leadership directly at PAIECMH@pakeys.org with questions or concerns.
This project is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning.