Infant Mental Health for Childcare Providers

Infant Mental Health Training Courses for Child Care Providers

All About Infants

In this course, you will learn all about infant care. We discuss foundations of infant development, the importance of a loving caregiver, infants' amazing abilities, and best practices for supporting their development. Through an emphasis on daily activities we show how you can build relationships and promote development.

Child Maltreatment

Talking about child maltreatment can be difficult, but we know that with proper education you can feel confident reporting if you suspect child maltreatment. This training course will go over types of maltreatment, what it looks like, steps for reporting, and coping mechanisms for professionals who make a report.

Cultural Sensitivity

In this training course, you will learn about cultural sensitivity. We define and describe culture, how cultures differ, dual language learners, pathways to cultural sensitivity, strategies for communicating with families who do not share your language, and strategies to make your setting culturally competent.

Intro to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

In this online course, you will learn about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. We consider factors that contribute to FASD, our own biases towards children and families who may be impacted by FASD, the impact of FASD on young children's development, and strategies for welcoming children with FASD into the classroom.

Intro to Infant Mental Health

In this course, you will learn about infant mental health. We discuss key contributors and barriers in the infant mental health field, the role of early relationships for healthy brain development and self-regulation, infant stress signals, and why infant mental health matters in early childhood settings.

Intro to Self-Regulation

In this training course, you will learn about self-regulation in infancy and toddlerhood. We consider ways caregivers can support the development of children's self-regulation. We then discuss infant and toddler temperament so you can reflect on your own regulatory strategies and preferences for young children's temperaments.

Intro to Sensory Processing

In this course, you will learn about sensory processing in very young children. We define the senses, consider healthy sensory development and indicators of sensory integration difficulties, review activities that support sensory development, and outline strategies for helping children with sensory difficulties.

Intro to Separation Anxiety

In this course, you will learn about the impact of separation on infants and toddlers. We consider how separation relates to other developmental milestones. We consider how self-regulation and temperament impact children's responses to separation, and strategies for helping children cope with separation.

Self-Care and Reflective Supervision

In this course, you will learn about the importance of self-care. We discuss self-care strategies for caregivers and how reflective supervision supports professional development and reflective practice.

The Importance of Healthy Brain Development

In this course, you will learn about healthy brain development. We discuss the importance of responsive interactions and secure attachments, how interactions drive language development, the roles of major brain chemicals, the impact of trauma on the developing brain, and strategies for supporting brain development.

Course delivery

Texas A&M AgriLife Learn courses are accessible from any computer or device with an internet connection. They offer a streamlined, user-friendly interface that uses D2L’s Brightspace® Learning Management System.

• Students can leave a course at any time and continue where they left off.
• Courses include high-definition video and audio with downloadable scripts, PDF handouts, presentation slides and more.
• Bulk course purchases are available for businesses that need to train multiple employees.
• Completion certificates are available to download and print on demand.

Regarding Competencies® & Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health®:
These trainings may cover competencies required for Endorsement®. AK-AIMH administers the Endorsement® to recognize the attainment of professional competencies in working with children 0-3. For more information about the Endorsement®, please visit our website.