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Mental Health in the Early Years

“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

Preliminary Mental Health Screening Tools - Canadian Paediatric Society - These tools provide a starting point to investigate suspected mental health conditions and identify a focus for further assessment.
Behavioural and General Development Screening Tools - Canadian Paediatric Society - The tools in this section allow health care providers to incorporate developmental surveillance and screening into regular health care visits. The ASQ-SE is recommended by experts as it includes a social-emotional component.
Condition-Specific Screening Tools and Rating Scales - Canadian Paediatric Society - These tools help with diagnosis for some childhood mental health conditions[WC1]Could we add a comment that the ASQ-SE is recommended by experts as it includes a social emotional component?

Professional development opportunities to support your practice

Infant Mental Health Promotion Webinars - Infant Mental Health Promotion - A 15-part series webinar on infant child mental health. To access the series for free contact Child & Babytalk in KFL&A Phone Line 613-549-1154.
Brain Story Certification - Alberta family wellness iniative - This free online course is for professionals and the public. Provides a deeper understanding of infant and early child brain development and its connection to addiction and mental health.
Relationships Matter - Canadian Paediatric Society - How clinicians can support positive parenting in the early years
Harvard University Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University - A collection of tools, guides and training for professionals related to childhood development.
Brain Builder Learning Cards - Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction - Five concepts critical to understanding adverse childhood experiences and their impact on brain development and health.

KFL&A Public Health Programs supporting infant and early child mental health

Care by Text - A free program which sends relevant information by text to new and expecting parents
Child & BabyTalk in KFLA - Receive trusted, parenting information from a registered nurse by phone or online
Baby Talk Drop Ins - Offered by public health nurses at various EarlyON locations throughout the KFL&A area
Healthy Babies Healthy Children - A free home visiting program that helps expectant parents and families with children up to transition to school
Food for You, Food for Two - A free prenatal education and nutrition program for pregnant women, teens, and their support persons

Resources

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.