Since I am the coordinator for our local Early Childhood Coalition, an organization that shares the same focus, I'm in favor of promoting awareness of the Week of the Young Child, April 10-17. This year's theme is, "Early Years Are Learning Years."

The more that is discovered about brain research and young children, the clearer it is that this statement is accurate and that it is vitally important to take note of it. From the time before a child is born through their fifth year, a child's brain develops more than at any other time in their lives. Huge strides are made in every area - physical/motor, cognitive/thinking, language and communication, and social-emotional development.

Recently, I've noticed an increased availability of information, workshops and focus on early childhood mental health, which concerns the area of social-emotional development. Mental health advocates are trying to raise awareness of the mental health needs of children birth to age 5, determine what services and gaps exist, and train parents and caregivers how to recognize early warning signs and get help.

Exactly what is meant by "mental health?" Early childhood mental health is the social, emotional and behavioral well-being of children birth through 5 years and their families, including the capacity to: experience, regulate and express emotion; form close, secure relationships; and explore the environment and learn.

Early childhood mental health is influenced by the quality of the adult relationships in the child's life, the caregiving environments the child is in, and the community circumstances in which the child and family live. Basically, it's about social-emotional wellness.

So, why the big push for early childhood mental health awareness? First, because more is known about brain development. Second, because of an increased awareness of the importance for early intervention, which could help alleviate stress and struggles for the child and family, providing them with the help they need during a critical developmental period for their child.

Delayed intervention poses the risk of developing more serious issues, along with potential increased costs for the family, community, district or insurance companies. Early intervention is crucial.

Finally, social-emotional competence is an essential component in a child's readiness to learn, and therefore, success in school and life.

Three key mental health disorders of young children are: anxiety disorders such as, separation anxiety and social anxiety; mood disorders like depression; and behavior disorders such as Sensory Processing Disorder.

Sometimes, it's hard to believe that young children are actually experiencing disorders like depression, but it is a reality. Identifying and treating children with these disorders is more complex than, let's say, a broken arm. But, hopefully, we are just as concerned about our children's emotional wellness as we are about their physical wellness.

For more information visit the Zero to Three Web site, www.zerotothree.org.

A local event for children preschool to age 3 to celebrate the Week of the Young Child will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. April 26 in the Pine River-Backus School Commons. (See ad in the Community Education booklet.)

Our local coalition is a non-profit, grassroots effort funded by the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls, a regional foundation, www.ifound.org. Our coalition Web site is lakesareakids.com, and we are located in the Community Education office. Call 568-9200 for more information.

(Patty Durham is coordinator for the Early Childhood Coalition.)