ABSTRACT
Infant mental health (IMH) addresses the emotional and social development of children from birth to 3 years of life. IMH expands the definition of an infant from 1 year to 3 years in order to recognize that the first 3 years of life are critical for overall infant development. In particular, IMH recognizes that early relationships will influence how a child learns to experience, tolerate and express a range of emotions, and form trusting relationships. The better a mother can interpret and respond to her child's intention, mood and affect, the faster the infant can develop the ability to represent his thoughts and feeling through language and play. Social development begins with the parent-infant relationship, and to a lesser extent, other relationships such as peers, extended family and childcare relationships. A positive attachment is essential in establishing the child's sense of safety and security, influences the infant's fundamental modes of regulating his thoughts and feelings.
