Ep. 27: Foundations of Early Childhood Mental Health: Nurturing Attachment, Relationships, and Emotional Well-being with Faith Rivera

My guest today is Faith Rivera. Faith has worked with a variety of programs supporting children, youth, and young adults through nonprofits, faith-based organizations, universities, and health care over the last decade. Faith is passionate about ensuring families have access to the resources and services they need to raise their children well and for service providers to have the support to offer families the best quality services. She has a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Family and Community and a Masters of Education in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs Administration – both from the University of North Texas. She is also the founder of Alo Civitas Consulting, a company committed to improving maternal and child health. In this podcast episode, Monica and Faith discuss the importance of early childhood mental health. They explain that early childhood mental health refers to children's ability to regulate and express their emotions, form relationships, and understand their place in the world. In this conversation, Faith emphasizes the significance of building a strong attachment between children and their caregivers from day one, as this helps children feel loved and secure. They also discuss the role of infant and toddler teachers in supporting infant mental health and emphasize the importance of meeting children's basic needs and providing a nurturing environment. Faith goes on to suggest practical strategies for educators and parents, such as making parents feel valued and involved, creating opportunities for children to regulate their emotions, and incorporating outdoor play and sensory experiences. The conversation highlights the impact of technology on children's mental health and emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interactions and emotional connections. The episode concludes with a reminder to appreciate and enjoy the small moments in early childhood. It's amazing to think that we have so much influence over the healthy development of the children in our care.  How you show up consistently in your classroom really does impact the mental and emotional health of your students! Don't be overwhelmed though. None of us are perfect. None of us show up as our best selves every single day. God has a way of working through our shortcomings and filling in gaps in ways we could never even imagine. But I hope this episode reminds you of the importance of those small daily interactions with your students.  Spending a few extra moments when you're changing a diaper to tell a child that he is precious to you and precious to God builds strong neural connections that aid them in future relationships!  It's not just about getting their little bottoms clean and moving on to the next thing. Taking a deep breath and calming yourself when a child pushes your buttons models self-regulation for a child! That's a skill we want all children to learn.   You can access Faith's website HERE. As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE.