6.1

What is the Mental Health Consultant’s Role?

baby girl

Early childhood mental health consultants are professionals with mental health expertise who also have knowledge, and experience related to working with young children (birth to five) and their families. Some mental health consultants, referred to as infant mental health specialists, have specialized training in working with families and very young children, birth to three years

Factors that Influence Children’s Social and Emotional Development

toddler with earphones

Many factors may affect the way children express their social skills or emotional competencies or the rate at which children acquire social skills or emotional competencies. These factors include 1) environmental risk factors such as living in an unsafe community, receiving care within a low-quality child care setting, lack of resources available in the community

Research Findings about the Importance of Social and Emotional Health

adults and children sit together

It is never too early to begin supporting children’s social and emotional development. Research findings show that infants are born able to connect with other people in their environment. Infants recognize familiar voices and even match tone of voice to facial expression. The brain of the infant is designed to connect the newborn with other

Module 1: Introduction to Social and Emotional Health: Definition and Research Support

baby playing with toy

What is Social and Emotional Health? Within the context of one’s family, community and cultural background, social and emotional health is the child’s developing capacity to: Form secure relationships Experience and regulate emotions and, Explore and learn (Definition from Zero To Three) Social health reflects a child’s developing ability to form close, secure relationships with

This product was developed [in part] under grant number 1H79SM082070-01 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.