Description
Professionals who work with young children are in a unique position to provide support during this critical developmental period to foster positive outcomes throughout an individual’s lifespan. In order to do this, every professional needs a strong understanding of infant mental health, what it is, how it develops, how it is influenced and implications for a child’s development when mental health is vulnerable in the early years.
This training will provide information for professionals working with infants and families to promote optimal health. Participants will explore issues relevant to infant mental health including: infant maltreatment, genetics and epigenetics, maternal depression, attachment and attachment disorders, temperament, adverse childhood experiences.
This session will also address factors that can create as well as mitigate early trauma experience and promote resilience to address future trauma. Examine the role and potential experiences in this stage of development which may explain future trauma responses and how these early experiences can be pursued in later trauma treatment.
Outcomes
- Describe early childhood developmental in relation to cognitive, physical, social, and emotional outcomes across the lifespan.
- Consider how this critical period of development has impacts on family functioning.
- Describe the importance of addressing traumatic events that take place during the early years in a systemic and validating manner.
- Identify and promote protective factors in the early years that may shield a person from future trauma.
- Explore interventions appropriate to different life stages (early childhood, adolescence or adulthood) to address past traumatic events.
