Protecting Early Childhood Mental Health through Parent Coaching

Early childhood mental health is a crucial aspect that affects children's future emotional, social and cognitive development. This study aims to improve parents' understanding and skills in maintaining children's mental health through mentoring and coaching activities. The research used a quasi-experiment method with analysis techniques using Friedman and Mann-Whitney non-parametric statistics. This research was conducted in Kemingking Dalam Village, Jambi. Sampling in this study were parents who have children aged 4-6 years and assistants or carers of children aged 4-6 years. The results showed that the coaching activities succeeded in increasing parents' awareness and understanding so that they are better prepared to assist their children with various emotional situations and can prevent early child mental health disorders. The findings also showed that inconsistent parenting and parents' busy schedules are factors that hinder children's mental health development. Therefore, coaching for parents is effective as a preventive measure to support children's overall growth and development.