Helping Children, Families, and Communities Cope with Grief
Watch this video to learn strategies and find Sesame Workshop resources to help children and others cope with grief.
Mental Health
Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being. It is a child’s developing capacity to express and regulate emotions, form trusting relationships, explore, and learn—all in the cultural context of family and community. The mental health of children and the adults that care for them is essential for school readiness.
How Children Respond to Stress and Trauma
This resource helps families and Head Start staff understand the effects of stress and trauma, so children can get the support and care they need to cope.
Understanding Trauma and Healing in Adults
Explore this resource to learn about trauma, how traumatic events impact families and staff, and how to promote healing, resilience, and family well-being.
Recognizing Trauma and Building Resilience
Learn the definition of trauma and how it impacts young children. Discover how programs can be more trauma-informed.
Mental Health Planning for Disaster and Trauma
Explore how staff can plan and prepare before a natural disaster for the mental health needs of children, families, and staff that follow in the wake of an event.
Coping with Grief and Loss
Find out how Head Start staff can recognize their role in supporting children and families when they experience a loss.
Crisis and Support Hotlines
Crisis and support hotlines can offer immediate help. They provide counseling, resources, and support that are confidential and free. Many are available 24 hours a day.
Coping and Healing
Review strategies for coping with and healing from trauma. Learn how families’ strengths help the healing process.
Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences
In this overview, learn about the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences on children's development.
Trauma and Resilience
Explore this collection of resources to learn how trauma affects young children and find strategies to reduce its effects in children and adults.