By: Kaitlyn Zhou

Children’s mental health is a paramount concern for their parents. From parents to scientists, there has been significant worry regarding ACEs, which stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences, encompassing negative and unwanted childhood incidents. These ACEs can significantly impact children’s mental health and cause emotional distress.

However, a recent shift has occurred where parents are striving to strike a better balance for their children’s healthy growth. This balance is achieved through PCEs, or Positive Childhood Experiences, which are designed to support children during challenging times by creating meaningful and affectionate moments.

PCEs underscore the fact that even the smallest moments can yield substantial differences. For instance, engaging in activities like reading can be beneficial. Volunteering to read books offers children an opportunity to clear their minds and alleviate stress. Storytelling, singing, sharing meals with others, and enjoying family outings fall under the umbrella of “Positive Parenting Practices” (PPPs). A paper published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2019 highlights over 30,000 children, from infancy to age 5, who participated in the National Survey of Children’s Health.

Remarkably, the project found a minimal correlation between adversity scores and PPP scores, according to David E. Bard, a psychologist and professor of pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City.

Christina Bethell, a professor of child health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, emphasizes that for children to truly flourish, they must feel secure, supported, and capable of discussing even challenging topics.

Various policies and programs are being designed to reduce disparities and hardships for children in numerous communities. This underscores the importance of valuing and cherishing everyday interactions among friends and families. Although they may seem inconsequential, these small moments collectively have a substantial impact that often surpasses our expectations.