Center on the developing child

Harvard University

Related to Parental mental illness, Substance use

‘The Center on the Developing Child’s diverse activities align around building an R&D (research and development) platform for science-based innovation, and transforming the policy and practice landscape that supports and even demands change. We do this because society pays a huge price when children do not reach their potential, because half a century of policies and programs have not produced breakthrough outcomes, and because dramatic advances in science are ready to be used to achieve a promising future for every child.’

This website covers a broad range of topics including the science of early childhood, innovation and application, collective change, and a very comprehensive resource library.

Discover more resources

Practice paper

Identifying social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in the early childhood years

Lucy Tully

The early childhood years (birth to age 3 or ‘the first 1,000 days’) are a time of rapid physical, emotional and cognitive development. Many children experience developmentally normal and transient social, emotional and behavioural problems during this time. However, for some children, these problems may also be the start of a pattern of more severe and persistent social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD). These children and their families may benefit from early and timely support.
In focus

In focus: What is infant and child mental health (and why is it important)?

Emerging Minds

Practitioners are in a unique position to provide support to parents and help plan for children's social and emotional development and mental health at the earliest possible stage. This resource aims to develop your knowledge about what is child mental health and how practitioners and health workers in both child and adult services can create opportunities for positive child mental health.
Webinar

Working therapeutically with children who have experienced trauma from physical or sexual abuse

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN)

Co-produced with the Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN), this webinar discusses how practitioners can respond to the challenges of working therapeutically with families when children have experienced physical or sexual abuse.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: August 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This August 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Webinar

Supporting infants and toddlers’ resilience during daily transitions

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar focuses on promoting infants and toddlers' confidence and sense of security by supporting parents/carers and educators to provide responsive and consistent daily transitions.
Fact sheet

Practitioner guide: Shame and stigma

Emerging Minds

A guide for practitioners on using our shame and stigma resources to support the families they work with.
Video

What is a practice nurse?

Emerging Minds

Learn more about how a practice nurse can support you and your family.
Video

What is a family law counsellor?

Emerging Minds

Learn more about how a family law counsellor can support you and your family.
Webinar

Child-centred approaches to supporting children in out-of-home care

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar outlines practical ways to prioritise the voices of children in OOHC that can support their mental health and wellbeing. It includes perspectives and advice specific to those working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Practice paper

Culturally responsive strategies for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part two)

Amanda Kemperman, Emerging Minds

This paper is the second of two that discuss culturally responsive practice to support children’s mental health and wellbeing when working with families with diverse cultural (or CALD) backgrounds.
Practice paper

Culturally responsive understandings for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part one)

Amanda Kemperman, Emerging Minds

This paper is the first of two that discuss practising cultural responsiveness in working with families from diverse (or CALD) communities to support children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Fact sheet

Emerging Minds Focus framework summaries

Emerging Minds

These resources are designed to build your understanding of how Emerging Minds Focus can support quality improvement within your sector.

Center on the developing child

Harvard University

Discover more resources

Identifying social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in the early childhood years

In focus: What is infant and child mental health (and why is it important)?

Working therapeutically with children who have experienced trauma from physical or sexual abuse

Highlights in child mental health research: August 2024

Supporting infants and toddlers’ resilience during daily transitions

Practitioner guide: Shame and stigma

What is a practice nurse?

What is a family law counsellor?

Child-centred approaches to supporting children in out-of-home care

Culturally responsive strategies for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part two)

Culturally responsive understandings for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part one)

Emerging Minds Focus framework summaries

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