Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
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. Contact your Regional Key and ask to speak with
an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant 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