Beyond Tantrums: Recognizing Mental Health Red Flags in Early Childhood
The foundation for lifelong mental health is built in the earliest years of life. Recent scientific research has revealed that early experiences and relationships shape the architecture of a child’s developing brain, profoundly influencing their future well-being.
While it’s normal for young children to experience a range of emotions and behaviors, certain persistent signs may indicate a need for professional mental health care. Here are some key indicators to watch for in children under five:
Emotional and Behavioral Signs
– Persistent sadness or withdrawal: If a child seems consistently unhappy or withdraws from family and friends for more than a few weeks, it may be cause for concern.
– Excessive tantrums or aggression: Frequent, intense outbursts or consistently defiant and aggressive behavior that’s out of proportion to the situation.
– Intense fears or worries: Overwhelming anxiety that interferes with daily activities or causes physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches.
– Regression in behaviors: A return to behaviors they’ve outgrown, such as bedwetting, excessive clinginess, or using “baby talk”.
Physical and Developmental Signs
– Sleep disturbances: Difficulty sleeping, oversleeping, or frequent nightmares that persist.
– Eating problems: Significant changes in appetite, either refusing to eat or overeating.
– Delayed development: Noticeable lags in reaching age-appropriate milestones, particularly in social and emotional skills.
Social and Play-related Signs
– Difficulty in social situations: Struggling to interact with peers or adults or showing extreme separation anxiety.
– Changes in play patterns: Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy or engaging in repetitive, concerning play themes.
Other Warning Signs
– Unexplained physical complaints: Frequent complaints of headaches, stomachaches, or other pains without a clear medical cause.
– Extreme mood swings: Rapid shifts in mood that seem out of character for the child.
It’s important to remember that young children may not be able to express their feelings verbally, so these signs often manifest through behavior or physical symptoms. If you notice several of these signs persisting for more than a few weeks, it’s advisable to consult with a pediatrician or mental health professional specializing in early childhood.
By integrating evidence-based practices into early childhood settings, The Village Network and its partners are working to prevent the long-term consequences of early adversity. Their efforts aim to reduce preschool expulsions, improve school readiness, and set children on a path toward healthier, more resilient futures.
The Village Network is a nonprofit, experienced, multi-disciplined behavioral health nonprofit organization helping youth and families become resilient, healthy, and have brighter futures. If you have concerns about a young person in your life, contact us to be connected to available resources. To improve the lives of at-risk youth, donate today.
References & Further Reading
CDC (2024). About Children’s Mental Health.
Hambrick, E.P., Brawner, T., & Perry, B.D. (2019) Timing of early-life stress and the development of brain-related capacities. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 13:183.
Izett, E., Rooney, R., Prescott, S. L., De Palma, M., & McDevitt, M. (2021). Prevention of Mental Health Difficulties for Children Aged 0-3 Years: A Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11: 500361. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.500361
Mayo Clinic (27 January, 2024). Mental illness in children: Know the signs.