New Year, New Feelings: Supporting Kids’ Mental Health in 2026
A new year often comes with excitement, fresh goals, and new routines, but for kids, it can also bring big feelings. Changes at school, friendships, family schedules, or even social media exposure can sometimes feel overwhelming. The good news? Mental health is just like physical health. It can be strengthened with the right tools, support, and care.
For Kids: It’s Okay to Feel How You Feel
Feeling happy, nervous, frustrated, or sad is all part of being human. What matters most is learning how to understand those feelings and express them in healthy ways. Simple habits can make a big difference:
- Talk it out with a trusted adult when something feels heavy
- Move your body through play, sports, or dancing
- Create something: drawing, building, or crafting can help calm your mind
- Take quiet breaks to breathe and reset
For Parents: Creating a Safe Emotional Space
Parents play a powerful role in shaping kids’ emotional well-being. This year, consider:
- Asking open-ended questions like, “How did that make you feel?”
- Normalizing emotions instead of rushing to fix them
- Keeping consistent routines to help kids feel secure
- Encouraging creative and screen-free outlets for stress
Remember: kids don’t need perfection, they need presence, patience, and permission to be themselves.
Start the Year with Creativity & Calm
One wonderful way to support kids’ mental health is through hands-on, creative experiences that allow them to slow down and express themselves. That’s why Healthy St. Pete, in partnership with St. Pete’s Clay Co-op, is excited to offer Create & Calm: Kids Clay Time, a hand-building pottery workshop, happening on January 28th at the President Barack Obama Library. This guided pottery session gives kids a chance to work with clay, explore creativity, and practice mindfulness in a relaxed, supportive environment while having fun and connecting with others. See more information on this at event at the end of this article.
As we step into the new year, let’s commit to nurturing not just our kids’ bodies, but their minds and hearts too. Creativity, conversation, and calm moments can go a long way.
Create & Calm: Kids Clay Time
Date: January 28th
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: The Obama Room at the President Barack Obama Library
Ages: 8-12
Registration is required, only 15 spots! Registration opens on December 29th! Click here to register.
Call 727-892-5994 or email rrmcswee@stpete.org for more information.
