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Early Relationships Matter!

February 2009

In this issue:
How to help your child separate from you
Infant Mental Health Summer Institute
Neurofeedback may help with challenging behaviors
Ask the expert
News in brief
Featured resource
Upcoming events
Gifts to WI-AIMH
Newsletter submissions
 

How to help your child separate from you
Janna Hack, infant mental health consultant

 

Every child is unique in how they handle separation from their parents. Some children have a more difficult time and may cry, cling to you or exhibit some other behavior to indicate they are not happy about you leaving. This is sometimes difficult for parents, but it can be common. Below are some ideas to help make separation easier for you and your child; for example, when dropping them off at day care.

  • Talk to her about it ahead of time. Use pictures or sing songs to help her understand.
  • Visit the new place he will be going ahead of time. Let him meet the new caregiver.
  • If possible, stay for awhile in the new place to allow your child time to adjust.
  • Let her bring along something familiar from home (blanket, pacifier, scarf, picture, stuffed animal, etc.), or pick out a special toy together for your child to take with them.
  • Tell him when you are leaving and when you will return (e.g., “Mommy is leaving now but I will be back when you wake up from your nap.”)
  • When you leave her, give a quick hug and kiss and cheerfully say goodbye. Don’t come back several times or prolong the goodbye. Don’t try to sneak out.
  • Do not bribe him to keep them from being upset.
  • Let her see you talking to the new caregiver. Talk positively about that person with the child to bridge that trust.
  • Develop a goodbye ritual.

Ideas for goodbye rituals

  • Use this technique from The Kissing Hand*: Plant a kiss on her palm as a way of leaving a part of you with her during the day.
  • Laminate a picture of yourself that he can carry with him, or make a small photo album that he can show his teachers.
  • Play a goodbye game: Make 10 cards, each showing a picture of lips and a parent hugging a child. Each card is numbered from 1 to 10. Every morning before school, let the child choose a card to indicate how many kisses and hugs she will get from mommy or daddy at the end of the day.
  • Give an especially big hug, wave from the window, blow a kiss, or develop a special saying or rhyme.
  • Make a tape recording of you saying something comforting or singing a song that he can listen to if he feels distressed.
  • When you say goodbye say, “I am going to miss you.” Say goodbye to her head, arms, fingers, etc. with a gentle touch and a loving tone and facial expression.

*Penn, Audrey. The Kissing Hand. Arlington, VA: Child & Family Press, 1993.

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Save the date!

 

June 17, 2009
 Infant Mental Health Summer Institute
 Ramada Inn, Stevens Point, WI

This institute will provide the opportunity to choose a single area of infant and early childhood mental health for a day of in-depth study. More information on the topics to be offered will be announced soon.  Registration forms will be available on our Web site at http://www.wiaimh.org/institute.htm.
 
Neurofeedback may help with challenging behaviors

 

Arlene Martin, Ed.D., a former associate professor of early childhood and family studies at Kean University of New Jersey and UW-Whitewater, has contributed an article that discusses neurofeedback and its potential as a tool for addressing challenging behaviors in preschool children. Neurofeedback is a technique for teaching self-regulation and control of internal states without the use of medication, and can be used with children as well as adults. Dr. Martin is the director of Wellness Unlimited, a healing arts practice based in Madison, Wisconsin that utilizes neurofeedback to help clients achieve vastly improved alertness, attention, and relaxation. The article can be found on our Web site at: http://www.wiaimh.org/newsletter/neurofeedback.htm
 
Ask the expert

Do you have questions or concerns regarding social-emotional development or your work related to infants, young children and their families? Ask the expert! E-mail  janna.hack@cssw.org with your questions related to infant mental health policy, research, practice or resources. We may edit questions for space and clarity for inclusion in this newsletter. Names will be used only with permission.

For more information and to see an archive of previous questions, see our web site: http://www.wiaimh.org/ask_the_expert.htm.
 
News in brief

A new report released by three agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposes strategies to overcome barriers associated with the reimbursement of mental health services provided in primary care settings. It includes recommendations for both State and Federal policy makers and programs. The full report is available on the Web at http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/ken/pdf/SMA08-4324/SMA08-4324.pdf

Visit http://www.wiaimh.org/news_in_brief.htm for more links to articles and important research related to infant and early childhood mental health.

 
Featured resource

First Focus is a bipartisan advocacy organization that is committed to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. First Focus brings both traditional and non-traditional leaders together to advocate for federal policies that will improve the lives of America’s children. Child health, education, family economics, child welfare, and child safety are the core issue areas in which First Focus promotes bipartisan policy solutions. http://www.firstfocus.net
 
Upcoming events

 

Monday, March 9 to
Wednesday, March 11
 DC:0-3R Training
 Ramada Convention Center, Eau Claire, WI

 

Monday, March 30 and
Tuesday, March 31
 Together for Children
22nd Annual Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
Middleton, WI

See our online calendar at www.wiaimh.org/calendar.htm for more information and links to other conferences, courses and training sessions.
 

Gifts to WI-AIMH

Your continuing support of WI-AIMH’s mission is very much appreciated. Gifts to WI-AIMH are tax-deductible and are welcome at any time. If you would like to contribute, please mail your check to the address below. For more information, contact Therese Ahlers at (608) 442-8036 or e-mail: therese.ahlers@cssw.org.

Support WI-AIMH with your online shopping
You can support WI-AIMH whenever you shop at your favorite online stores. When you shop through iGive, our organization will receive up to 26% of each purchase, at no extra cost to you! You can join iGive and support WI-AIMH by clicking on this link: www.iGive.com/WIAIMH.
 

Newsletter submissions

WI-AIMH welcomes submissions for publication in this newsletter. Our staff will review and select articles based on the suitability and timeliness of the subject matter presented. Articles on activities related to infant mental health in various Wisconsin communities, as well as policy updates, especially are welcome. If you have something to contribute, please call (608) 442-0360 or e-mail deana.hipke@cssw.org.
 

 

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Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WI-AIMH)

133 S. Butler Street, Suite 340

Madison, WI  53703

608-442-0360

http://www.wiaimh.org

 

WI-AIMH is an independent 501(c)3 organization.