VIDBE-Q Volume 64 Issue 4
54
Tracey Gaver, M.A., CTVI and IMH-E
®
Infant Family Specialist;
Kindering; Tracey.Gaver@Kindering.org
In the world of early intervention (EI), we are busy. I can hear your
sigh. Between just trying to make a "reasonable" schedule including
paperwork, travel times, paperwork, sessions with the family, and more
paperwork, we are busy. Did I mention the paperwork? Who has time for
anything else? Please don't give us 'one more thing' to do. BUT. . . what if I
told you that this 'one more thing,' could change everything? What if I told
you that you are already doing this 'one more thing' in some fashion?
Given the title of the article, you already know the 'one more thing' is
providing our services through an infant mental health (IMH) lens. And it
really can change everything for both you and the families you support.
So what is infant mental health? The Center on the Social and
Emotional Foundations for Early Learning defines infant mental health as:
The developing capacity of the child from birth to 3 to
experience, regulate (manage), and express emotions;
form close and secure relationships; and explore and
Early Intervention Services Through an Infant Mental Health
Lens
