Introduction to Emotional Development

Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) is synonymous with healthy social and emotional development and can be defined as “the developing capacity of the child from birth to 5 years old to form close and secure adult and peer relationships; experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions; and explore the environment and learn—all in the context of family, community, and culture” (Zero to Three, 2017). This resource explores the important role of infant/toddler caregivers in supporting babies and toddlers as they develop their capacity to positively experience, manage, and express emotions.

This resource is also available in Spanish.