Early Childhood Mental Health
What is Early Childhood Mental Health?
"Infant mental health is the developing capacity of the child from birth to age three to:
- experience, regulate, and express emotions
- form close and secure inter-personal relationships
- explore the environment and learn -
all in the context of family, community and cultural expectations from young children. Infant mental health is synonymous with healthy social and emotional development." (Zero to Three Infant Mental Health Task Force, December, 2001)
When should I worry about a young child's mental health?
A young child's behavior should be explored further if it:
- is something that the child does not typically do; or causes parents or other caregivers to consider the child "difficult"
- prevents a child from playing with peers or having positive interactions with adults
- is not a one time event or with a particular person but, happens often for extended periods of time with different people and in different settings.
How can I access services?
Call to discuss your concerns with the early childhood mental health consultant, who will help you to determine next steps. Services are available at no charge to early learning programs serving children from birth to age five. Contact Lori Kahler-Brown an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant in Central Region or contact Michele Walsh, Early Childhood Mental Health Project Manager, at micwal@berksiu.org or 717-213-2063.
What services are available to early learning programs?
On-site support that may include working with a practitioner to:
- observe a young child in the classroom
- identify strengths/needs and develop an individual plan that addresses the child's social emotional development
- communicate concerns to parents
- provide a family with referral information for a child who needs
specialized services
For additional information please contact: Lori Kahler-Brown or DeAllison Dixon