“Infant and early childhood mental health, sometimes referred to as social and emotional development, is the developing capacity of the child from birth to five years of age to form close and secure adult and peer relationships, experience, manage and express a full range of emotions, and explore the environment and learn – all in the context of family, community, and culture.”
Early childhood is the period of greatest opportunity for impacting healthy development, including mental health. Supporting positive parenting and parent mental health is a key component for promoting optimal social and emotional development among infants and children.
Infant and early child mental health and development screening tools |
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Professional development opportunities to support your practice |
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KFL&A Public Health Programs supporting infant and early child mental health |
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Mental Health Position Statement and Practice Point - Canadian Paediatric Society - position statements regarding mental health, including but not limited to ADHD, supporting positive parenting practices, disruptive behaviours, and more.
Early Child Development Position Statement and Practice Point - Canadian Paediatric Society - position statements on mental health as well as statements regarding other areas of development.
Infant Mental Health Promotion - A coalition of individuals and professionals from various agencies that work with infants and children and their families.
Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child & Youth Mental Health - Works collaboratively with Ontario’s child and youth mental health sector to share knowledge, build capacity and create connections needed to improve mental health for children, youth and families.
Center on the Developing Child: Harvard university - Drives science-based innovation that achieves breakthrough outcomes for children facing adversity.