The Mental Health Consultant’s Work - A Brief View
The goal of a mental health consultant who
works in early childhood settings is the promotion of mental wellness and encouragement
of positive social relations in children.
A 2005 study by Yale University's Ed Ziglar Center in Child development found that 6.7 children per 1000 are expelled from preschool every year, three times the rate of expulsions in kindergarten through high school. However, preschool teachers who have access to mental health consultants are about half as likely to expel a child compares with teachers who lack such support based on a report that looked at 3,898 preschool classes in 40 states. Another study in 89 classes conducted by the Tulane University's Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health link the mental health help offered there to improved behavior and learning and more cheerful classroom climates.
The mental health consultant, in an efficient way in preschool, help small children learn the lifelong social and emotional skills they need. In addition, the
consultant identify children with special needs - learning disabilities, speech
or language disorders, emotional or behavioral disorders - and assist with
parent support issues, including stress related issues, finding resources,
acquiring job training, etc.
In the course of a work day, the mental health consultant carries out classroom
observations for assessment and evaluation and to insure supportive responses in
meeting the youngsters' needs. He/she also conducts staff development workshops,
and parents support workshops as well as arrange time to consultant with parents.
Will Barnes
www.yourconsultantsite.com