Infant Mental Health and Diversity Informed Practice

URL: https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/infant-mental-health-and-cultural-competence/

 “Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), or healthy social-emotional development in very young children, develops in the context of family, community, and cultural expectations. Culture—the shared implicit and explicit rules and traditions expressed through the beliefs, values, and goals of a group of people—is the keystone of one’s identity and shapes people’s understanding of the world (Kalyanpur & Harry, 1999). Supporting staff members in how best to provide high-quality, diversity-informed and culturally competent services to children and families is a critically important skill for program leaders.” This article describes the importance of diversity informed practice and ten tips for promoting diversity informed practice among staff.