Building Brains Together: Partnering with Caregivers to Support Infant and Toddler Development

Session Dates

Friday October 03, 2025 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM - Webinar

Closed

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This training explores how professionals can strengthen outcomes in infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) systems by partnering with caregivers. It will begin with a grounding definition of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) as the capacity of young children to experience, express, and regulate emotions; form secure relationships; and explore the environment—all within the context of caregiving relationships. Through this lens, we will review developmental neuroscience, attachment theory, explore the core principles of relationship-based practice from an Infant Mental Health perspective, and examine common tensions providers face when shifting from “doing for” to “partnering with” caregivers. Using evidence-based models and implementation strategies, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to support caregiver capacity in ways that enhance, not replace, their professional role.

Objectives

Participants will:

1. Define Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) and describe its connection to early relationships and emotional development.
2. Describe the core concepts of attachment theory and their relevance to early intervention and caregiver capacity-building.
3. Identify key principles of relationship-based intervention from an IECMH perspective and how they align with coaching practices in EICMH systems.
4. List common provider concerns about shifting roles and reframe them using a developmental, relational lens.
5. Explain how caregiver-partnered intervention models improve child and family outcomes through enhanced caregiver engagement.

Target Audience

This session is designed for Infant Toddler and Preschool Early Intervention Service Providers, Educators, Therapists, Leaders and Home Visiting/Family Support staff. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate individuals who have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and who need assistance at this event. Contact: Molly Martz, at 717-901-2151, or mmartz@pattan.net.