What is Infant Mental Health?

Infant Mental Health is the developing capacity of the child from birth to five to:

• Experience, regulate, and express emotions
• Form close and secure interpersonal relationships
• Explore the environment and learn

all in the context of family, community and culture

adapted from a Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families (www.zerotothree.org)

Infant Mental Health is synonymous with the healthy social and emotional development. It involves such skills as self-confidence, curiosity, persistence, and self-control. All of these skills have their roots in infancy and rely on secure, healthy, sensitive, consistent relationships with primary caregivers. The bond between parent and child is thus one of central importance.

Importance of social and emotional development:
The earliest years lay the foundation for future success in school and beyond. Research from the field of infant and early childhood mental health confirms that a child’s emotional development lays foundation for all later development. It sets the stage for relationships and readiness to learn. Children who do not attain basic social and emotional milestones do not do well in school. These children are at a higher risk for learning and behavioral problems and juvenile delinquency.