Strong Beginnings: Foundations of Trauma and Infant Early Childhood Mental Health

Session Dates

Friday November 07, 2025 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM - Webinar

Closed

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This interactive session equips participants with essential knowledge and practical tools to support the mental health and well-being of infants, young children, and their families. Grounded in the principles of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH), the session emphasizes the importance of nurturing early relationships and environments that foster emotional and social development from birth to age five.

Using an IECMH perspective, participants will explore how trauma can disrupt a child’s ability to form secure attachments, regulate emotions, and feel safe. Through a trauma-informed lens, they will learn to recognize behavioral indicators of trauma and apply universal strategies that promote resilience and healing in young children.

The session also highlights the critical role of caregiver well-being, offering accessible self-care practices that can be integrated into daily routines. Emphasis will be placed on collaboration among early interventionists, educators, caregivers, and other professionals to create a supportive network for children affected by trauma.
Using group discussions, video examples, and take-home resources, participants will leave with a strengthened understanding of IECMH, trauma-informed care and self-care practices to support practitioners and young children' s well-being.

Objectives

Participants will be able to:

1. Define Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) and describe its connection to supporting young children who have experienced trauma.
2. List behaviors in others that may indicate a trauma response
3. Describe and demonstrate universal strategies to support children who may have experienced trauma
4. Develop and implement self-care routines to promote provider well-being in order to build a supportive network for children affected by trauma.

Target Audience

This session is designed for Infant Toddler and Preschool Early Intervention Service Providers, Educators, Therapists 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.