A key component of mental health is having a community that gives us a sense of belonging. We can also help cultivate this for the children in our lives. Here’s how to do it, and why it matters.  

Why Community Matters for our Mental Health

Relationships are a critical component of mental health. We spend our lives in relationships with others, and in these relationships, we develop and maintain our mental and emotional wellbeing. Watch our video to learn more about the power of community.

Want to help your kids feel like they are part of a community? We have some strategies to help with that. 

3 Strategies To Help Children Feel They Belong 

In an increasingly divided world, it is sometimes hard to remember all of the things we as human beings have in common. A key pillar of building and repairing social emotional health is safe relationships. The Belonging Project at Stanford University in 2017 revealed that through families, culture groups and communities, children who feel a sense of belonging are more likely to have positive health outcomes. “A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people,” says author and professor, Brené Brown. “When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to.”

Given its importance, how can we create environments where all children gain a sense of belonging? Here are three strategies that can help:

1. Start with the morning!

One of the best times to show children they are valued is first thing in the morning. It can be tempting to wake children up by yelling from another room, but taking the few extra minutes to wake children up with affection and closeness can create a positive start to the day and a strong sense of belonging. Teachers at Momentous Institute practice this every morning as they stand outside the door of their classrooms to greet each child. These simple actions set an encouraging, inviting tone for the day, reinforcing for children that they are not alone and they are valued.

2. Invest in their interests. 

As children develop, it is crucial to encourage their interests. By giving time, energy and resources to help strengthen their belief in their gifts and skills, parents affirm that their children not only fit in this world, but that they can also use their skills to benefit others. If a child is interested in art, parents can sit down with her to help her complete fun activities at home that stimulate creativity. The same goes for the little athlete at home who would love their parent to kick the soccer ball with them outside. Seeing and expressing joy in a child’s interests reinforces their sense of feeling seen and feeling appreciated.

3. Prioritizing their friends.

The primary way a child learns about this unpredictable world is through the lens of their families and peers. Parents can inspire their children with inviting conversations about respect, acceptance and the explicit encouragement to engage with friends from other cultures or friends with other interests. In addition, parents can suggest that their children invite friends over and observe how they interact with them. They affirm instances when their children are respectful, and also address any signs of disregard that could be hurtful to others. Children begin to develop biases connected to race and differences as early as three years old. Parents’ posture and the way in which the family converses are crucial to helping shape a child’s sense of respect and belonging for self and others.

Need more ways to connect? Read on to learn more about our resources designed to help your kids get connected. 

5 Ways to Form Connections with People in an AI World

Our brains are wired to connect with other people. Through relationships, we develop important skills like empathy, conflict resolution and perspective taking. But it can be hard to form connections with others!

Download this quick resource for a kid in your life. It contains five simple strategies and reflection questions for forming connections with others – beyond the screen.

Connect Five: Social Challenges to Try This Month 

A recent report from the office of the U.S. Surgeon General tells us that loneliness is on the rise… and it can have significant consequences.

But we aren’t designed to live in isolation. In fact, the human brain is designed to be social. Our brains are hardwired to help us connect with others and live in community. (Yes, even introverts.)

Learn more about the science of the social brain here.

But just because the brain is wired this way doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require work on our part. We must put in intentional effort to engage in social situations. This is easier said than done! This download, Connect Five: Social Challenges to Try This Month, gives you five simple ways to be more social.