Best Apps for Kids' Mental Health & Wellbeing

Kids often appear like little balls of energy, dashing about with happy smiles on their faces and generally being a constant source of fun. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, as any parent will know. Like us adults, children often experience mood swings of their own and, if not properly understood or recognized, can lead to symptoms that manifest as they get older, such as stress and anxiety. Keeping your child calm is not always possible, as even the best parents will know, due to the youthful energy they possess. Still, if you feel that this is getting out of hand or are using it negatively, meditation is often seen as a way to manage stress, even in youngsters. 

A key reason your child’s mental health may be out of balance is poor sleep. As with every human being, a good amount of sleep is necessary to function, and this is especially important when you’re younger. Set up regular sleeping patterns for your kids, ensuring that they go to bed and wake up roughly the exact times each day – kids love a routine after all. Ensure that you think about child safety. A key reason children sleep poorly is that they don’t feel safe at night, whether from monsters in their heads or real ones in their lives. Finally, ensure that a meal plan is created and adhered to – eating at the correct times means that your kids should feel ready for bed at the appropriate time.  

One aspect of modern technology that has had plenty of discussion over the past decade is gaming for children. In moderation, kids games can dramatically improve the cognitive function of a child’s brain and essential motor skills like hand-eye coordination and memory ability. Of course, children who spend too much time in front of screens or playing games can develop an addiction, which is never a good thing. Most devices, such as tablets or laptops, have a kids mode built-in, ensuring that your little ones aren’t exposed to anything they shouldn’t be while they’re having fun. It doesn’t necessarily need to be through technology – any interactive gaming has been shown to improve the mental outlook of humans from very young to very old.