Wellbeing Explained (Key Concepts in Early Childhood)

Nurturing children and supporting their wellbeing is vitally important, along with looking after the wellbeing of the staff who support them. Wellbeing Explained highlights the importance of wellbeing and explains key terms associated with wellbeing and mental health needs. Unpicking terms such as holistic development, self-esteem, SEMH, and anxiety, it uses practical examples and case studies to explain what these mean and how we can promote wellbeing through policy and practices.

Divided into two parts, the first provides a brief overview of the key terms associated with wellbeing in early childhood alongside examples of what they mean in practice. Part two then shares the principles that underpin promoting good wellbeing, such as prioritising staff wellbeing, adopting a loving pedagogy, keeping the child and family central to provision, and creating an enabling environment explaining the underlying ethos of a child-centred approach.

Part of the Key Concepts in Early Childhood Series, this is essential reading for early years practitioners and students that want to know and understand what they can do to support their own wellbeing and the children they work with.

Sonia Mainstone-Cotton currently works with Brighter Futures, a specialist team supporting 3- and 4-years-olds who have social, emotional, and mental health needs. She delivers training on children’s SEMH and wellbeing and has written 11 books.