Date

5-2018

Document Type

Capstone Project (Open Access)

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Department

Liberal Studies

Major

Liberal Studies

First Advisor

Miguel Lopez

Abstract

Current research sheds light on the importance of the mental health of school-age children and researcher’s efforts continuously point out that there is need for more to be done to support children with mental health needs, in the context of the classroom, in the United States. Particularly focusing on children with internalizing behavior under Emotional Disturbance, this paper will provide reasoning as to why these children have a need for prevention and intervention services, the reality of the lack of general knowledge teachers have on children’s mental health, and the need for elementary school teachers to have children’s mental health education and training, specifically for internalizing behaviors, both before and throughout their service. To address these issues, I analyze my university’s, CSUMB, courses to verify that undergraduates are not being adequately prepared in terms of children’s mental health education and training. I therefore argue a change to the Liberal Studies pathway that adds content specifically about social, emotional, and behavioral issues into courses, as well as children’s mental health, particularly from the Human Development and Psychology departments. This specific content is essential to the education of upcoming teachers because it provides them the means to socially and emotionally support each students’ development and success. My findings highlight the lack of mental health courses that CSUMB requires of their upcoming teachers, however more research needs to be done to remedy this fact.

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