Resources for families and staff
These resources contain information about the KidsMatter Early Childhood components. These may be useful to a number of individuals including families, staff and other people interested in mental health in early childhood. The resource sheets provide:
- an introduction to the topic
- information for interested families and staff
- suggestions for families and staff
- where to go for further information and selected references.
The resources are available below as an entire booklet, and also as individual information sheets for ease of distribution and download. Please note that there are two versions of the sheets – a high resolution print version suitable for printing (larger file size) and a lower resolution screen version suitable for emailing (smaller file size).
Component 1: Creating a sense of community
The following Component 1 resources have been developed for families who have children attending early childhood services such as kindergarten and long day care. These resources are based on the four key areas that are addressed in Component 1 to support children’s mental health and wellbeing: belonging and connectedness, positive relationships, inclusion and collaboration. Early childhood services can distribute these resources through newsletters, emails, as handouts or as a display in the service.
| Component 1 resources | ||
| Download the entire resource: Component 1 Creating a sense of community: Information for Families (PDF, 1.7MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| Introducing KidsMatter | Download PDF (359KB) | Download PDF (1.7MB) |
| KidsMatter Early Childhood at your service | Download PDF (365KB) | Download PDF (1.7MB) |
| Belonging and connectedness | Download PDF (420KB) | Download PDF (1.7MB) |
| Relationships for life | Download PDF (358KB) | Download PDF (1.7MB) |
| Feeling included | Download PDF (436KB) | Download PDF (1.7KB) |
| Working together | Download PDF (339KB) | Download PDF (1.7MB) |
| KidsMatter Early Childhood resources | Download PDF (334KB) | Download PDF (1.7MB) |
More resources coming soon!
Return to the Component 1 page
Component 2: Developing children’s social and emotional skills
The following Component 2 resources have also been developed for families who have children attending early childhood services such as kindergarten and long day care. These resources are based on the three key areas that are addressed in Component 2 to support children’s mental health and wellbeing: relationships between staff and children, children’s social and emotional skill development opportunities and staff development and support. Early childhood services can also distribute these resources through newsletters, emails, as handouts or as a display in the service.
| Component 2 resources | ||
| Download the entire resource: Component 2 Developing children’s social and emotional skills Information for Families (PDF, 2.2KB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resource: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (225KB) | Download PDF (2.3MB) |
| Social and emotional development | Download PDF (437KB) | Download PDF (437KB) |
| Growing together in relationships | Download PDF (512KB) | Download PDF (4.6MB) |
| It’s good to be me | Download PDF (534KB) | Download PDF (5.4MB) |
| Getting along | Download PDF (571KB) | Download PDF (7.1MB) |
| Feelings matter | Download PDF (511KB) | Download PDF (3.8MB) |
| Further resources | Download PDF (389KB) | Download PDF (984KB) |
| Children and play | ||
| Download the entire resource: Children and play (PDF, 1.74MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resource: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (2794KB) | Download PDF (412KB) |
| Children learn through play | Download PDF (1818KB) | Download PDF (551KB) |
| Play helps children feel good about themselves | Download PDF (6096KB) | Download PDF (658KB) |
| Supporting children’s wellbeing through play: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (1415KB) | Download PDF (536KB) |
| Children and play: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (1311KB) | Download PDF (552KB) |
| Managing life’s ups and downs | ||
| Download the entire resource: Managing life’s ups and downs (PDF, 1913KB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (2046KB) | Download PDF (423KB) |
| Managing life’s ups and downs | Download PDF (2303KB) | Download PDF (574KB) |
| Learning to keep a balance | Download PDF (7430KB) | Download PDF (763KB) |
| Supporting children to cope with everyday stress | Download PDF (7430KB) | Download PDF (589KB) |
| Managing life’s ups and downs: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (1226KB) | Download PDF (535KB) |
| Helping children manage their emotions | ||
| Download the entire resource: Helping children manage their emotions (PDF, 1851KB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (2236KB) | Download PDF (469KB) |
| Everyone feels overwhelmed at times | Download PDF (1817KB) | Download PDF (598KB) |
| Coping skills for managing emotions | Download PDF (5019KB) | Download PDF (699KB) |
| Children and emotions: How to help | Download PDF (1430KB) | Download PDF (599KB) |
| Helping children manage their emotions | Download PDF (1176KB) | Download PDF (587KB) |
| Helping children learn to make decisions | ||
| Download the entire resource: Helping children learn to make decisions (PDF, 1,850KB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resource: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (414KB) | Download PDF (1,567KB) |
| Helping children to choose wisely | Download PDF (523KB) | Download PDF (593KB) |
| Learning to make good decisions and solve problems | Download PDF (653KB) | Download PDF (3,226KB) |
| Supporting children’s decision-making skills: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (631KB) | Download PDF (3015KB) |
| Helping children learn to make decisions: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (566KB) | Download PDF (1,407KB) |
| Developing positive separations | ||
| Download the entire resource: Developing positive separations (PDF, 1,8734KB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resource: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (485KB) | Download PDF (2,718KB) |
| Being away from one another | Download PDF (655KB) | Download PDF (4,800) |
| Understanding and managing separation distress | Download PDF (711KB) | Download PDF (3,673KB) |
| Helping children cope with separation distress | Download PDF (592KB) | Download PDF (661KB) |
| Developing positive separations: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (605KB) | Download PDF (999KB) |
| Getting along: Friendships and empathy | ||
| Download the entire resource: Friendships and empathy (PDF, 2,103KB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resource: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (497KB) | Download PDF (2, 317KB) |
| Everyone needs a friend | Download PDF (700KB) | Download PDF (3,902KB) |
| Learning positive friendship skills | Download PDF (834KB) | Download PDF (8,406KB) |
| Supporting children to develop friendships and empathy | Download PDF (638KB) | Download PDF (2,760KB) |
| Chidlren’s friendship development: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (613KB) | Download PDF (1,503KB) |
| Curiosity and confidence | ||
| Download the entire resource: Curiosity and confidence: Developing motivation (PDF, 1,872) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resource: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (502KB) | Download PDF (2,008KB) |
| Confident children are eager learners | Download PDF (617KB) | Download PDF (942KB) |
| Encouraging and praising children | Download PDF (716KB) | Download PDF (4050KB) |
| Tips to increase children’s motivation: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (657KB) | Download PDF (2375KB) |
| Curiosity and confidence: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (631KB) | Download PDF (1564KB) |
Return to the Component 2 page
Component 3: Working with parents and carers
The following Component 3 resources have also been developed for families who have children attending early childhood services such as kindergarten and long day care. These resources are based on the three key areas that are addressed in Component 3 to support children’s mental health and wellbeing: developing collaborative partnerships, connecting families with one another and supporting parenting. Early childhood services can distribute these resources through newsletters, emails, as handouts or as a display in the service.
| Component 3 resources | ||
| Download the entire resource: Component 3 Working with parents and carers: Information for Families (PDF, 7.2MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for staff | Download PDF (226KB) | Download PDF (1.7MB) |
| Families working together with early childhood services | Download PDF (419KB) | Download PDF (822KB) |
| Working together supports mental health and wellbeing | Download PDF (432KB) | Download PDF (1.2MB) |
| Making connections | Download PDF (446KB) | Download PDF (1.6MB) |
| Getting information about parenting | Download PDF (421KB) | Download PDF (858KB) |
| Further resources | Download PDF (401KB) | Download PDF (897KB) |
| Building healthy family relationships | ||
| Download the entire resource: Building healthy family relationships (PDF, 1.97MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (539KB) | Download PDF (2.52MB) |
| Healthy relationships and families | Download PDF (804KB) | Download PDF (8.04MB) |
| The building blocks of healthy family relationships | Download PDF (920KB) | Download PDF (920KB) |
| Supporting family relationships: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (704KB) | Download PDF (2.44MB) |
| Accessing further support to build healthy family relationships | Download PDF (767KB) | Download PDF (3.56MB) |
| Building partnerships between families and early childhood staff | ||
| Download the entire resource: Building partnerships between families and early childhood staff (PDF, 1.79MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (429KB) | Download PDF (2.07MB) |
| All about partnerships | Download PDF (638KB) | Dowload PDF (4.67MB) |
| Building partnerships between families and early childhood staff | Download PDF (759KB) | Download PDF (7.06MB) |
| Working together: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (560KB) | Download PDF (1.19MB) |
| Building partnerships: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (558KB) | Download PDF (934KB) |
| Effective communication between families and early childhood staff | ||
| Download the entire resource: Effective communication between families and early childhood staff (PDF, 2.07MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (551KB) | Download PDF (1.97MB) |
| An introduction to effective communication | Download PDF (810KB) | Download PDF (4.54MB) |
| Effective communication between families and early childhood staff | Download PDF (771KB) | Download PDF (2.70MB) |
| Suggestions for positive communication | Download PDF (752KB) | Download PDF (3.93MB) |
| Building effective communication: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (693KB) | Download PDF (1.59) |
| Fathers connecting with children | ||
| Download the entire resource: Fathers connecting with children (PDF, 2.12MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (565KB) | Download PDF (2.31MB) |
| Dads make a difference | Download PDF (716KB) | Download PDF (1.16MB) |
| Fathers connecting with children | Download PDF (1.03MB) | |
| Dads involved: Suggestions for familes and staff | Download PDF (778KB) | Download PDF (3.42MB) |
| Positive Fathering: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (753KB) | Download PDF (2.82MB) |
| Positive mental health for parents and carers | ||
| Download the entire resource: Positive mental health for parents and carers (PDF, 1.64MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (511KB) | Download PDF (2.59MB) |
| All about parents’ and carers’ mental health | Download PDF (684KB) | Download PDF (4.51MB) |
| Supporting parents and carers to look after themselves | Download PDF (845KB) | Download PDF (7.84MB) |
| Promoting self-care: Suggestions for familes and staff | Download PDF (631KB) | Download PDF (858KB) |
| Supporting mental health and wellbeing: Resources | Download PDF (691KB) | Download PDF (1.42MB) |
Return to the Component 3 page
Component 4: Helping children who are experiencing mental health difficulties
The following Component 4 resources have also been developed for families who have children attending early childhood services such as kindergarten and long day care. These resources are based on the two key areas that are addressed in Component 4 to support children’s mental health and wellbeing: understanding children’s mental health and wellbeing and responding to children who may be experiencing mental health difficulties. Early childhood services can distribute these resources through newsletters, emails, as handouts or as a display in the service.
| Component 4 resources | ||
| Download the entire resource: Component 4 Helping children who are experiencing mental health difficulties (PDF, 2MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for staff | Download PDF (360KB) | Download PDF (1930KB) |
| Understanding mental health in early childhood | Download PDF (705KB) | Download PDF (8942KB) |
| Resoponding to children who may be experiencing mental health difficulties | Download PDF (667KB) | Download PDF (4979KB) |
| How mental health difficulties affect children | Download PDF (896KB) | Download PDF (6277KB) |
| Supporting children’s mental health: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (737KB) | Download PDF (7337KB) |
| Understanding children’s mental health: Resource for families and staff | Download PDF (553KB) | Download PDF (1207KB) |
| Keeping a balance: Managing feelings and behaviours | ||
| Download the entire resource: Keeping a balance: managing feelings and behaviours | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (535KB) | Download PDF (2196KB) |
| Keeping a balance: Managing feelings and behaviours | Download PDF (688KB) | Download PDF (2,527KB) |
| How self-regulation difficulties affect children | Download PDF (729KB) | Download PDF (5653KB) |
| Keeping a balance: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (697KB) | Download DPF (3551KB) |
| Keeping a balance: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (654KB) | Download PDF (1292KB) |
| Getting help when it’s needed | ||
| Download the entire resource: Getting help when it’s needed (PDF, 1.99MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (568KB) | Download PDF (1.90MB) |
| Getting help | Download PDF (811KB) | Download PDF (5.65MB) |
| Seeking help for children’s mental health difficulties | Download PDF (818KB) | Download PDF (5.20MB) |
| Accessing support: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (764KB) | Download PDF (3.62MB) |
| Where to get help: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (765KB) | Download PDF (4.67MB) |
| Promoting children’s mental health | ||
| Download the entire resource: Promoting children’s mental health (PDF, 2.20MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (600KB) | Download PDF (2.69MB) |
| Promoting mental health in early childhood | Download PDF (748KB) | Download PDF (1.80MB) |
| Risk and protective factors in early childhood | Download PDF (961KB) | Download PDF (9.46MB) |
| Supporting children’s mental health: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (724KB) | Dowload PDF (1.05MB) |
| Mental health promotion for children: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (726KB) | Download PDF (1.75MB) |
| When times get tough: Managing trauma and ways to recover | ||
| Download the entire resource: When times get tough (PDF, 1.69MB) | ||
| Individual sheets | Low resolution | High resolution |
| About this resouce: Information for families and staff | Download PDF (604KB) | Download PDF (2.15MB) |
| When times get tough | Download PDF (753KB) | Download PDF (2.29MB) |
| Managing trauma and ways to recover | Download PDF (991KB) | Download PDF (9.94MB) |
| Managing tough times: Suggestions for families and staff | Download PDF (768KB) | Download PDF (2.23MB) |
| Getting though tough times: Resources for families and staff | Download PDF (788KB) | Download PDF (2.88MB) |
Return to the Component 4 page
The KidsMatter Early Childhood team welcomes your feedback on these resources.
The KidsMatter Early Childhood resources are available for download in PDF format. Adobe Reader is required to view all the documents linked to this page. If you do not have Adobe Reader installed, go to www.adobe.com to download it for free.
