Applications of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Research in Policy and Practice

This final chapter emphasizes the importance of cooperation between practitioners and policymakers, between practitioners and researchers, and between practitioners and family members of young children. One basic tenet in infant and early childhood mental health is that caring relationships are the main mediators of successful human adaptation and result in optimal outcomes, so that the primary goal of infant mental health programs is to strengthen the foundational relationship between child and caregiver. In order to achieve this, there is a need to educate policymakers regarding the mental health needs of infants and toddlers and to advance a policy agenda that meets the social and emotional needs of very young children. Professionals who will be working with young children should be trained in mental health principles and should incorporate diversity-informed tenets and provide culturally attuned services for infants, toddlers and their families. Collaboration between the early childhood community and the mental health community can result in a productive relationship between research, practice, and policy.