MH 201 - Infant/Toddler Mental Health

3 Credits

Outline Effective Date 2024 Winter
2024/2025

Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a foundation in the concepts and theories related to supporting infant/toddler mental health. This course explores infant/toddler mental health with a special focus on attachment theory. Students have the opportunity to learn specific strategies to promote healthy families in relation to supporting infant/toddler social emotional development.

Rationale:
This is a required course for Early Childhood Education diploma students and Community Mental Health certificate students. Awareness of social emotional development is becoming more prevalent as it relates to overall health and well-being. Human Service professionals must be knowledgeable about theories and concepts related to infant toddler mental health to provide support within their services and to make referrals to outside professionals when necessary.

Prerequisites: SS 245
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

define and discuss the concept of infant/toddler mental health in the context of relationship with the infant’s/toddler’s family.
discuss potential risks to social emotional development.
recognize and explain types of attachment as related to relationships between child and parent.
model and promote attunement/attachment as foundational in developing relationships with infants/toddlers.
describe community caregiver’s role in terms of supporting infant/toddler emotional and social wellbeing.
create a list of resources for supporting infants/toddlers and young children in terms of supporting social emotional wellbeing.
identify potential causes of maltreatment, and trauma.
describe risk and resiliency in child development.

Required Resource Materials:
Janko Summers, S., & Chazan-Cohen, R. (2012). Understanding early childhood mental health: A practical guide for professionals. Paul H Brookes Publishing Co.

A series of articles assigned by the instructor are also used as course materials.

A series of websites and videos are also used as course materials.

Conduct of Course:
This course uses lectures, discussions, guest speakers, readings, and case studies to develop an understanding of social and emotional development for children in the early years. Participation in class discussions and activities is an expectation in this course.

Regular attendance is essential for success in any course. Absence for any reason does not relieve a student of the responsibility of completing course work and assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor. Frequent absences may result in the student being placed on probation. Further absences may result in suspension from the program.

On-line attendance is demonstrated by keeping up with readings and assignments, participation in the dialogue on the discussion board and completing course work assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor.

In cases of repeated absences due to illness, the student may be requested to submit a medical certificate.

Instructors have the authority to require attendance in classes.

Content of Course:

Concept of Infant/Toddler and Early Mental Health
Potential Risks to Social Emotional Development
Emotional Development through Attunement and Attachment
Caregivers Role in Early Childhood Setting
Risk and Resiliency in Development
Trauma and Neglect in Early Development
Developmental “milestones” and attachment
Supporting families and care providers in infant/toddler care
Community supports and resources
Reflective Practice and Supervision

Course Assessments:

Case Scenarios	20%
Resource File	20%
Graded Discussion	30%
Poster Presentation	30%
Total	100%

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course. Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.