When We Feel Safe

When we feel safe our stress hormones (e.g. cortisol, adrenalin, norepinephrine) decline and the connecting hormones (like oxytocin) rise. Our emotional brain (amygdala) relaxes and our thinking brain (prefrontal cortex)is free to operate at its full potential allowing us to fully participate in learning and play.

We define mental health in early childhood as relating to a child’s healthy physical, cognitive, social and emotional development and their capacity within the context of their development, family, environment and culture to:

participate in the physical and social environment
form healthy and secure relationships
experience, regulate, understand and express emotions
understand and regulate their behaviour
interact appropriately with others, including peers
develop a secure sense of self.

―Hunter Institute of Mental Health and the Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council (2012) source