5 credits

Positive developmental progress in infants/toddlers depends on many factors, including the overall promotion of mental health, prevention of occurrence or escalation of mental health problems, and the effective treatment of mental health needs. Education professionals in this course explore current research in the field of infant/toddler mental health, through which they gain practical insight on protective and risk factors in family environments; social and emotional developmental challenges; developmentally appropriate infant/toddler screening and assessment; diagnostic classification systems for infant/toddler mental health; effective intervention strategies; and collaborative services approaches. Moreover, education professionals apply course concepts through practical assignments, such as the development of a fact sheet designed to educate child development professionals about the importance of the field of infant/toddler mental health.