Infant Mental Health
Infant Mental Health
The first three years are a time of rapid growth. In this short span, a baby’s brain builds the connections that shape later learning, relationships, and stress control. Warm eye contact, a gentle voice, and steady routines tell the infant brain that the world is safe. When that sense of safety is shaky, the body’s stress alarms can stay on, making future challenges more likely.
The first three years are a time of rapid growth. In this short span, a baby’s brain builds the connections that shape later learning, relationships, and stress control. Warm eye contact, a gentle voice, and steady routines tell the infant brain that the world is safe. When that sense of safety is shaky, the body’s stress alarms can stay on, making future challenges more likely.
As an Early Childhood Educator, I focus on simple, back‑and‑forth exchanges called serve and return. I look into a baby’s eyes, wait for their sound or movement, and answer with a smile or soft word. This routine builds secure attachment, sparks language, and teaches self‑soothing. I weave it into every activity from diaper changes to story time, so every day moments become chances to build healthy brains.
As an Early Childhood Educator, I focus on simple, back‑and‑forth exchanges called serve and return. I look into a baby’s eyes, wait for their sound or movement, and answer with a smile or soft word. This routine builds secure attachment, sparks language, and teaches self‑soothing. I weave it into every activity from diaper changes to story time, so every day moments become chances to build healthy brains.
A baby thrives when caregivers thrive, so I team up with parents. I share what I notice about their child’s cues and suggest easy ideas such as paced feeding, skin‑to‑skin cuddles, or breathing breaks for stressed adults. If a baby struggles with sleep, feeding, or calming down, I connect the family with trusted infant‑mental‑health specialists. Early help keeps small issues from growing.
A baby thrives when caregivers thrive, so I team up with parents. I share what I notice about their child’s cues and suggest easy ideas such as paced feeding, skin‑to‑skin cuddles, or breathing breaks for stressed adults. If a baby struggles with sleep, feeding, or calming down, I connect the family with trusted infant‑mental‑health specialists. Early help keeps small issues from growing.
To stay current, I follow the Canadian Association for Infant Mental Health, the Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard, and Garry Landreth’s work on child‑centred play therapy. Their insights guide my reflections, coaching, and documentation, keeping my practice both evidence‑based and warm.
To stay current, I follow the Canadian Association for Infant Mental Health, the Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard, and Garry Landreth’s work on child‑centred play therapy. Their insights guide my reflections, coaching, and documentation, keeping my practice both evidence‑based and warm.
Every child deserves to feel seen, soothed, and secure from day one. By placing infant mental health at the heart of my work, I aim to give babies and their families a strong foundation for lifelong well‑being. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more or collaborate.
Every child deserves to feel seen, soothed, and secure from day one. By placing infant mental health at the heart of my work, I aim to give babies and their families a strong foundation for lifelong well‑being. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more or collaborate.
