West Virginia Infant Toddler Mental Health Association

JOIN US IN OUR MISSION

WVITMH is committed to building the capacity of professional development to support and meet the social and emotional needs of all children and families.

Reflective Supervision

Reflective supervision is a shared exploration of the parallel process. That is, attention to all of the relationships is important, including the ones between practitioner and supervisor, between practitioner and parent, and between parent and infant/toddler.

Parent and child reading books together in the library.

Endorsement

Endorsement is a process that supports and recognizes the development of professionals who work with or on behalf of infants and their families.

For Families

Each child is born ready to form a strong bond with a primary caregiver, usually a parent.

3 Reasons Good Infant Mental Health Matters

Infant mental health is the optimal social, emotional, and cognitive well-being of children ages 0 to 3, developed by secure and stable relationships with nurturing caregivers.

Brain Development

We have a shared stake to make sure babies develop sturdy brain architecture, because this foundation supports a lifetime of learning and productive participation in communities. A nurturing caregiver who is responsive to a baby’s needs is the base for secure attachment, which allows an infant to explore and learn.

Behavior and Relationships

Secure attachment is a fundamental building block of social function. Child need relationships with sensitive caregivers to learn how to self-regulate, get along with others, solve problems, and be ready for learning.

Body and Health

Toxic stress from broken caregiver-infant relationships can push a baby’s stress hormones into overdrive. When constantly present, these hormones disrupt brain and physical development. And babies can’t learn if their brains and bodies are working against them. The antidote to toxic stress? Affection and protection by a nurturing caregiver.