Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

Belonging: Every Child’s Superpower

Belonging isn’t just a nice feeling – it’s a core human need. From the earliest years, children seek connection, acceptance, and reassurance that they are valued members of their families, schools, and communities.

When children feel they belong, they are more likely to:

• Explore and engage with the world around them.
• Build resilience when facing challenges.
• Develop a strong sense of identity and self-worth.
• Form meaningful friendships and nurture empathy.

Belonging isn’t just about keeping children safe – it’s about empowering them to thrive. Children who feel disconnected or excluded are at higher risk of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, self-harm, and social withdrawal. Research from Loughborough University and the Office for National Statistics (2025) shows that exclusion in school in particular strongly affects children’s mental health and engagement.

Belonging Beyond the Classroom

Only around 60% of pupils report feeling a genuine sense of belonging at school, a connection that strongly influences emotional wellbeing, mental health, and engagement with learning (National Children’s Bureau, 2024).

Schools that create inclusive, supportive, and engaging environments can dramatically reduce these risks. But belonging doesn’t stop in the classroom – it also thrives in everyday moments: the laughter of friends at breaktime, being invited to join a game, or simply having a teacher listen and notice when a child needs support.

Every time a child is seen, heard, and valued, their sense of place in the world grows. These small, everyday experiences of connection lay the foundation for confidence, resilience, and lifelong well-being, helping children feel that they truly belong.

How KidsAid Helps Children Feel They Belong

At KidsAid, we believe belonging should be visible in every child’s day. We focus on three key areas:

1. Supporting Families and Caregivers

We guide parents and carers in building warm, responsive relationships where children feel understood, valued, and emotionally secure.

2. Partnering with Schools and Communities

We help create inclusive spaces where every child is recognised, welcomed, and empowered, including:

• Promoting inclusive play and social activities
• Celebrating diversity
• Embedding trauma-informed and social-emotional learning practices

3. Early Intervention and Tailored Support

For children facing challenges with social inclusion, emotional regulation, or mental health, we offer:

• Tailored therapies that empower children and strengthen their sense of belonging.
• Therapeutic groups that foster connection, especially for marginalised children.
• Strategies to help children build resilience and flourish.