Early Childhood Health Awareness — Supporting Growing Minds and Hearts

At Life and Light Psychotherapy & Wellness in St. Louis Park, we see November’s Early Childhood Health Awareness Month as a reminder to care for a child’s emotional development, not just their check-ups. The early years shape lifelong coping, learning, and connection—brains are building fast (over 1 million new neural connections each second) and reach about 90% of adult size by age 5.

Why early support matters (quick stats):

  • Anxiety affects about 11% of U.S. children ages 3–17; behavior disorders about 8%; depression about 4%.
  • ADHD has been diagnosed in roughly 1 in 9 children at some point.
  • Trends show anxiety and depression rising in recent years, making early, family-centered support especially important.

Common challenges we help Minnesota residents with:

  • Transitions and routines: school drop-off, bedtime, new siblings, moves

  • Sensory overload: noise, crowds, textures, schedule changes

  • Big feelings: worries, irritability, separation anxiety

  • School readiness: attention, frustration tolerance, social skills

How we help—holistic, family-centered care:

Our licensed therapists blend child-centered play therapy, attachment-focused care, mindfulness for kids, and trauma-informed strategies, with school collaboration when helpful. For early school-age kids, we may integrate CBT-style skills through play, games, and stories.

What sessions can include:

  • Building emotional language & regulation (feeling charts, playful breathing, movement breaks)
  • Parent coaching (simple scripts for transitions; co-regulation before correction)
  • Visual schedules and predictable routines to reduce meltdowns
  • With your permission, coordination with teachers, pediatricians, and caregivers so skills carry over

Inclusive care: We welcome all families: single parents, foster/kinship caregivers, LGBTQIA+ families, multilingual homes, and blended families.

Local & flexible options:

  • In-person in St. Louis Park (easy parking; near [add landmark/transit note])
  • Telehealth across Minnesota for parent coaching (child play sessions are best in person)
  • Evening options on select days
  • Insurance accepted and limited sliding-scale availability

Take the first step

Just as pediatric visits support physical growth, mental health check-ins support emotional growth. A short parent consultation or child session can create lasting change. If you’re seeking child therapy in Minneapolis or family-focused psychotherapy in the Twin Cities, we’re here to help your family thrive.

Crisis note: If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. For urgent mental health concerns, dial 988.