Early Childhood Mental Health

This course examines mental health milestones at each stage of a child's development. It provides an overview of psychological theory in infant/early childhood mental health. Students will complete an assessment and screening to identify early childhood mental health challenges. Implementation of mental health interventions and strategies. They will conduct an exploration of how early experiences in the first five years of life can impact the physical and psychological development and well-being of children throughout the lifespan. (This course meets National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standard 1: Promoting Child Development and Learning; Standard 3: Observing, Documenting and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families; National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Early Childhood/General Standards, 2nd Ed. Standard I: Understanding Young Children, Standard III: Assessment, Standard VI: Multiple Teaching Strategies for Meaningful Learning; and Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Special Education: Standard 2: Development and Characteristics of Learners, Standard 4 Instructional Strategies.)California Early Child Educators Competencies: Relationships, Interactions, and Guidance and Preschool Learning Foundations Vol 1- Child Development.)