Infant mental health is all about giving children the best start in life. Learn more in the infographic below.
When a new bundle of joy joins the family, we parents do all we can to ensure that they grow up to be a happy, healthy child and later a well-adjusted adult. While the bulk of our efforts are focused on physical health, emerging research has highlighted the importance of nurturing positive infant mental health as well.
What is Infant Mental Health?
The National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families have defined infant mental health as:
“The developing capacity from birth to three to experience, regulate, and express emotions; to form close relationships; and to explore the environment and learn all in the context of family, community, and cultural expectations for young children.”
Those working in the field have produced some incredible research on the role of infant mental health in shaping cognitive, emotional and social wellbeing later down the line.
Why is it Important to Look After My Baby’s Mental Health?
During the first few years of a child’s life, the brain undergoes tremendous development – usually reaching 80% by the age of two. This period is therefore key in influencing a child’s social and emotional development and can have a lifelong impact on their health and wellbeing. In particular, the attachments a child forms in this time play a critical role in their overall development.
What Can I Do to Foster Good Infant Mental Health?
If you are curious about infant mental health and would like to know how to apply its principles at home, why not check out this super informative infographic from Westcan Personnel. This handy infographic guide outlines the basic concepts of infant mental health and offers some tips on how you can encourage positive mental health in your child.
Read the below infographic for more information.
