Home > Blog > The Importance of Supporting Infant Mental Health
Ordinarily, we don’t usually think of infants when the term “mental health” comes to mind. Rather, we think about adolescents or adults, as the two groups most likely to be affected emotionally, psychologically, and through their social well-being. However, research tells us that today’s society presents substantial risks to the mental health of all people, even our very youngest. Think for a moment about some potential risks that can put the well-being of a young child in danger: child abuse, poverty, homelessness, family violence, broken homes, substance abuse, not to mention the possibility of inconsistent (or non-existent!) high quality and loving care provided by an adult, early educator, parent, or guardian.
Mental health issues can affect the development of infants and toddlers directly and indirectly at a time when there is vast potential for rapid brain growth and development. When caring for children who are dealing with difficulties that can affect their mental health, it’s important to do your part in helping them achieve their child development milestones. Regardless of what may be going on in their lives, your assurance through actions and best practices as an early childhood educator can make a difference in their future well-being. Early childhood programs can provide the possibility of better outcomes for infants who are exposed to negative factors, and, in fact, can serve as somewhat of an emotional or psychological shelter for these children.
Three Factors that Ensure Positive Mental Health in Infants
Sensitive Caregiving – Responding sympathetically and in a timely fashion to the basic needs of the infant: physically, emotionally, and cognitively.
Intuitive Cues – At times, infants’ needs aren’t always expressed through vocalization or crying. The early childhood educator must be in tune with each infant to anticipate needs and pick up on them, including body language, demeanor, and posture. Many of the most important needs can be unspoken and under-demanded, but they exist nonetheless.
Attention – Try to have an even focus of attention towards all the children under your care. Even when certain children require more attention, make sure you are checking in with infants, who require careful and diligent observation. Remember that infants may be quiet and more stationary than older children, but they also have many needs from the adults caring for them.
Making Successful Interaction with Infants
Make sure most of the conversation in the room is with the children, not between the educators.
Be completely engrossed in interacting with infants under your care
Use every opportunity for face-to-face communication
Pay close attention to changes in body movements and vocalizations
Spend time holding, cuddling, and comforting infants
Even when the infants are playing on their own, educators need to frequently interact with them through physical touch and emotional recharging, as well as on-going conversations.
Takeaway
We, as adults, need to continue to be watchful advocates for children at risk by providing assistance, support, and sometimes an escape from the devastating effects that the lack of positive mental health can bring. Through these actions and best practices as an early childhood educator can make a difference in the lives and future well-being of many very young children.
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Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Janice Bigelow
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
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