Mental health consultation in education settings: Supporting grown‐ups to better support kids

Abstract

Olivia has attended ABC Early Learning Program since infancy, and she transitioned to the preschool classroom 3 months ago, shortly after her fourth birthday. She has always been described as an “opinionated,” “busy” child, but her behaviors were manageable throughout her infant and toddler years. However, Olivia's preschool teacher, Miss Pam, calls the director into the classroom almost daily to help her manage Olivia's behavior. Miss Pam indicates that Olivia “goes from 0 to 100” quickly and can be triggered by “anything,” including a child taking her toy, not having her preferred snack, circle time, or transitions from a preferred activity (e.g., art) to a nonpreferred activity (e.g., cleanup, nap). When upset, Olivia will hit or kick peers, throw off her shoes, rip pictures and posters from the wall, and refuse to comply with teacher directions. It can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes for Olivia to calm down and rejoin the classroom routine. Miss Pam feels that Olivia is taking away important instructional time from the rest of the children and worries about other parents complaining that their children are being hurt. At home, Olivia's mother acknowledged that Olivia is a “tough kid” and she isn't always sure how to “make her listen.” Miss Pam and the center director wonder if they can support Olivia in their program. They have told Olivia's mother that she will need to find another placement if Olivia's behaviors do not improve in the next month.

Mental Health Literacy: How to Obtain and Maintain Positive Mental Health

“…Education is widely acknowledged as strategically important to reach out to children being exposed to traumatic experiences (Heltne et al, 2020). Taking an overall view of empirical studies of psychosocial support in kindergarten (and equivalent searches), Most empirical studies of psychosocial support take on the approaches and concepts from the health sector and its implementation into educational settings (Newland and Silver, 2020). Intervention programs seem to be an important role, such as training programs for trauma-exposed children in refugee camps, testing and promoting particular methods and techniques as "psychological first aid" program for teachers providing psychosocial support for children (e.g., Schultz et al, 2016).…”

Palestinian and Norwegian Kindergarten Teachers' Perspectives on Psychosocial Support: A Qualitative Study

“…Education is widely acknowledged as strategically important to reach out to children being exposed to traumatic experiences (Heltne et al, 2020 ). Taking an overall view of empirical studies of psychosocial support in kindergarten (and equivalent searches), Most empirical studies of psychosocial support take on the approaches and concepts from the health sector and its implementation into educational settings (Newland and Silver, 2020 ). Intervention programs seem to be an important role, such as training programs for trauma-exposed children in refugee camps, testing and promoting particular methods and techniques as “psychological first aid” program for teachers providing psychosocial support for children (e.g., Schultz et al, 2016 ).…”