Early Years Well-being Week and Mental Health Awareness Week
Two important events in the early years calendar are Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 May 2026) and Early Years Well-being Week (typically held in October). Both provide valuable opportunities for early years settings to reflect on the importance of emotional well-being and to actively promote positive mental health for children, families and staff.
Why mental health and well-being matter in early years
The early years are a vital stage in brain development, laying the foundations for how children understand themselves, others and the world around them. Positive early experiences help children to build resilience, confidence and a sense of belonging. Emotional well-being and mental health play a central role in this process. When children feel safe and secure, they are more likely to explore their environment, engage in learning and form positive, healthy relationships. However, when children experience ongoing stress or anxiety, it can affect their ability to regulate emotions, communicate effectively and fully access learning opportunities, potentially leading to longer-term challenges.
However, children’s mental health does not exist in isolation from the people around them and it is equally important to recognise the well-being of practitioners and adults in the children’s lives. Early years staff often work in demanding environments, balancing care, education, safeguarding and administrative responsibilities. Without adequate support, this can impact their mental health, job satisfaction and ultimately the quality of care they provide. By recognising both awareness weeks, settings can take a holistic approach that supports everyone within the early years community.
Mental Health Awareness Week
The Mental Health Foundation leads Mental Health Awareness Week each May, encouraging individuals and organisations across the UK to take action to improve mental health and reduce stigma. The theme this year is “Taking Action: for yourself, for someone else, for all of us.” Their website at www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ is full of advice and resources you can download to help you raise awareness, run activities or fundraising events. You can even download social media logos to put on your own websites to promote the week. They are also encouraging a “Wear it green” day on Thursday 14th May to “turn the world green for good mental health.”
Early Years Well-being Week
Whilst Mental Health Week is aimed at everyone, Early Years Well-being Week is a sector-focused campaign dedicated specifically to supporting the well-being of everyone involved in early years practice. It recognises the importance of early years mental health as well as the unique pressures of working in early education and highlights the need to care for those who care for young children. This is usually held in October to link into World Mental Health Day, but well-being is important every day of the year, so linking to this in May is a way to promote well-being all year round.
Raising awareness through everyday practice
One of the most effective ways to promote well-being and good mental health is to embed it into daily routines. Simple activities such as regular circle times can give children a safe space to talk about feelings. Practitioners might use emotion cards, mirrors or puppets to help children recognise and name different emotions. Storybooks that explore feelings can also lead to gentle and meaningful discussions.
Creating a calm and nurturing environment is essential for everyone’s benefit. This might include a cosy corner with soft furnishings, sensory resources or quiet activities where children can go to regulate their emotions, or protected breaktimes for practitioners where they can recharge their own batteries, even for a few minutes.
Consistent routines also help children feel safe and secure, reducing anxiety and supporting emotional development. There will always be times of challenge and change, but these should be managed in good time and with awareness of the impact they will have on children and practitioners alike. Challenges related to rota changes and staff absence will also impact on this, and settings should be mindful of the effects these have on overall well-being.
Ideas for marking the weeks in your setting
To celebrate and support good mental health and well-being, we’ve put together a few suggestions you can consider below.
- “All about me” and belonging projects
Encourage children to share information about themselves, their families and their interests. This could include photo displays, drawings or simple presentations. Celebrating individuality helps children feel valued and promotes a sense of belonging, recognition and security - Feelings-focused activities
Plan activities that help children explore emotions such as matching games, storytelling, and role-play, or set up arts and crafts activities, such as creating different ‘feelings faces’ using recycled materials. Older children might begin to talk about what helps them feel better when they are upset, to help them identify their own well-being plan. - Outdoor well-being experiences
Spending time outdoors has proven benefits for mental health. Nature walks, gardening, den building or simply taking learning outside can help reduce stress and improve mood for both children and adults. Linking activities to seasonal changes can also deepen everyone’s connection to the natural world so that seasons become something to celebrate rather than be anxious about. - Mindfulness and relaxation
Introduce simple breathing exercises, quiet listening activities or guided relaxation. Even a few minutes of calm time each day can help children learn how to self-regulate and manage their emotions. You can use silences, listen to nature or play calming music to promote a feeling of inner peace.
- Kindness and friendship focus
Helping others is known to promote good mental health, so create opportunities to explore kindness through group activities. This might include sharing games, collaborative art projects or a ‘kindness tree’ where children add leaves to represent kind actions they have seen or done.
- Staff well-being initiatives
This is an ideal time to focus on practitioners’ well-being as well as children’s mental health. You could organise staff well-being check-ins, provide access to mental health resources, or create a staff-only relaxation space. Small gestures such as thank-you notes, team breakfasts or protected planning time can make a big difference to how people feel about working in your setting.
- Parent and carer engagement
Awareness weeks are perfect ways to engage with families. Share information about the importance of mental health and well-being, and offer free downloads on how families can continue the activities at home. This could include newsletters, factsheets and workshops, or just having an informal conversation at drop-off and pick-up.
Good mental health and personal well-being are vital at all stages of life, so why not take a few moments to promote them both this May?
Other articles:
Social-Emotional Learning & Mental Health
Mental Health: Top Tips for Educators
Mental health for early years children
