Supporting Children's Mental Health From the Early Years
Good mental health begins forming long before school age, shaped by everyday relationships, routines, and experiences. This workshop introduces what supports positive mental health in young children and how adults can spot early signs that a child may need extra support. You will leave with a practical, age-appropriate understanding of this topic and a take-home booklet to refer back to.
Led by Amy Byrne — BA (Hons) Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy, Children First trained and a Mandated Person. One hour, with a take-home booklet and a dated certificate of attendance.
Who this is for
Suitable for parents wanting to understand their young child's emotional wellbeing, and for early years educators building supportive, mentally healthy environments in their setting.
What we cover in the hour
- What positive mental health looks like in young children.
- Everyday factors that support or challenge emotional wellbeing.
- Early signs that a child may need additional support.
- The role of secure relationships and routines in emotional wellbeing.
- How to talk with young children about feelings in age-appropriate ways.
- When and how to raise a concern with a colleague, parent, or professional.
What you'll leave with
- A clearer sense of what supports young children's mental health day to day.
- Awareness of early signs worth noticing and monitoring.
- Confidence in age-appropriate ways to talk about feelings.
- A framework for deciding when to seek further support.
- A take-home booklet with wellbeing indicators and conversation starters.
Inside the booklet
The booklet includes a simple wellbeing checklist, conversation starters for young children, and guidance on when to seek further support.
This workshop is anchored in Aistear's Well-being theme, First 5, and Children First guidance on recognising and responding to children's needs.
How it can be delivered
| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Public ticket — live onlineOne hour, small group, booklet emailed | €20 per person |
| Public ticket — in personOne hour in a venue near you, booklet in hand | €35 per person |
| Private 1:1 with Amy30 minutes €25 · full hour €50 (3 for €135) | from €25 |
| Private group — onlineParent evening or staff session, minimum 5 | €35 per person |
| Private group — in personYour setting or venue, minimum 6 | €45 per person |
No VAT and no booking fees. An itemised receipt is emailed instantly, and invoices are available before you book. Running this across a whole setting? Setting packages start at €399.
Common questions
- Is this session a diagnostic tool?
- No, this workshop is educational and awareness-raising rather than diagnostic. Amy is not a qualified play therapist or mental health professional, and any concerns about a specific child should be raised with a GP or relevant professional service.
- What signs should I be looking out for in a young child?
- The session covers general early indicators such as changes in sleep, appetite, play, or social interaction, explained in an age-appropriate way. Specific individual concerns are best discussed separately with a relevant professional.
- Is Children First relevant to this workshop?
- Yes, the session references Children First guidance around recognising and responding appropriately to concerns about a child's welfare.
- Is this suitable for a staff training session?
- Yes, it gives teams a shared understanding of wellbeing indicators and a consistent, confident approach to noticing and responding to changes in a child.
- Will this cover specific conditions or diagnoses?
- No, the focus is on general wellbeing and early recognition rather than specific conditions or clinical diagnosis.
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More in this theme: Emotional regulation · All workshop themes · Upcoming dates
Available live online across Ireland, and in person in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and other counties.
Trusted early years resources
Every workshop is grounded in Irish early years frameworks and national guidance.
- Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA)
- Síolta: the National Quality Framework
- Children First national guidance (Tusla)
- First 5: Ireland's strategy for babies & young children
- Early Childhood Ireland
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