Each year, R U OK? Day reminds Australians to check in with the people around them not just in crisis, but in everyday moments.
At Young Academics, we believe that emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical safety or academic growth. R U OK? Day is an opportunity for our educators, children, and families to reflect on how we support each other in the classroom, in our teams, and in our wider communities.
Starting Conversations Early
In early childhood, mental health support begins with building strong relationships and helping children develop the language to express how they feel. While young children may not understand what mental health is, they absolutely feel the impact of being seen, heard, and supported.
Our educators play a crucial role in nurturing children’s social-emotional development by:
- Creating safe, predictable environments
- Supporting children to identify and express their emotions
- Teaching empathy, kindness, and perspective-taking
- Helping children build resilience and coping strategies through play
By embedding these practices into daily routines, we lay the foundation for lifelong emotional wellbeing and show children that it’s always okay to ask for help.
R U OK? Day in Our Centres
This year, our early learning childcare centres are observing R U OK? Day with age-appropriate activities that promote emotional awareness and connection. These include:
- Circle-time discussions about feelings and friendship
- Art experiences where children draw or paint how they feel
- Role play using puppets or storybooks to explore empathy
- Visual prompts that help children name and talk about emotions
Looking After Our Teams and Families
The wellbeing of our educators and families is equally important. Childcare professionals carry deep emotional responsibility, and we recognise that checking in with each other is more than a workplace nicety it’s essential to a supportive culture.
Whether it’s taking a moment to ask a colleague how they’re feeling, creating space for families to connect, or encouraging team members to access wellbeing resources, R U OK? Day is a timely reminder that mental health is a shared priority.
How Families Can Support Emotional Wellbeing at Home
R U OK? Day is also a great time for families to model emotional care at home. Here are a few ways to start:
- Check in regularly: Ask your child how they’re feeling and listen without rushing to fix things
- Name feelings: Help your child build a vocabulary around emotions (e.g. happy, nervous, frustrated, calm)
- Create a safe space: Make home a place where it’s okay to feel big emotions
- Model self-care: Show your child what it looks like to rest, talk about worries, and take care of yourself
