Training Academy: The Growing Brain from Birth to 5 Years + Supporting Infant Mental Health in Early Learning Classrooms
Event Details
The Growing Brain from Birth to 5 Years + Supporting Infant Mental Health in Early Learning Classrooms (41-hours of IMH Training)
We have curated this unique two-part training that includes The Growing Brain from Birth to 5 Years with Supporting Infant Mental Health in Early Learning Classrooms, creating a unique and comprehensive learning experience that addresses both the foundational knowledge of brain development and the pillars of relationship-based applications of infant mental health in early learning settings.
The Growing Brain from Birth to 5 Years
This innovative training curriculum focuses on evidence-informed knowledge and strategies with which to prepare professionals who work with infants and young children for their vital role in building healthy brains. The curriculum fills a unique niche by providing a comprehensive understanding of how the brain develops, along with ways the professional can encourage healthy brain development in children from birth to 5 years old.
Participants will learn skills and strategies for understanding and supporting:
- Brain development (architecture and neurobiology) to inform their practice with infants, young children & their families;
- Language, cognition, prosocial behavior, and social-emotional development birth to five; and
- Reducing toxic stress that can negatively influence brain development of young children.
Supporting Infant Mental Health in Early Learning Classrooms
This 20-hour course provides early childhood educators with key strategies for supporting infant and early childhood mental health. Participants explore ten "Infant Mental Health Truths," including the importance of understanding babies as communicative beings, the role of teachers as "brain builders," and the impact of toxic stress and culture on development. Through guided reflection and discussion, educators examine their own beliefs and biases while learning about responsive caregiving, trauma-informed practices, and cultural humility. This training helps professionals working with children ages 0-6 create nurturing, sensitive environments that support healthy social-emotional growth.
This training experience is part of a research study, and the data collected will be used for program evaluation purposes. You may be contacted for additional feedback.
By registering, you consent to having your information (anonymous survey responses) used for evaluation and being contacted for further feedback as part of this study.
Trainer: Dr. Alexandra Alfonso, Zero to Three Certified Trainer
Dr. Alfonso is a bilingual/bicultural Licensed Psychologist that has been working with young children and their families for over 7 years. Dr. Alfonso serves as the Clinical Supervisor and Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Lead for Citrus Health Network's Early Childhood Development program. Dr. Alfonso's expertise includes social emotional skill development, school readiness, relationship based interventions, trauma informed care, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, teacher/caregiver trainings, and reflective supervision
Location: This training will be held online via Zoom.
Zoom link info will be sent to paid registrants several times beginning one week before the training begins.
Open to all FAIMH Members throughout Florida who work with infants, young children and their families, especially early learning providers, Head Start/Early Head Start providers, education specialists & family support staff, early childhood program administrators, early intervention specialists, inclusion specialists, Early Steps providers and mental health specialists.
Endorsement:
This training may meet IMH Competencies that support your preparation to earn the Florida Infant Mental Health Endorsement.
Schedule & Agenda
**Note: This 41-hour training experience held over 4 months on Mondays and Thursdays afternoons.
The Growing Brain From Birth to Five
Time: 4:00-7:00 PM
Session 1: Monday February 3rd
Brain Basics
Session 2: Thursday February 13th
Factors Affecting Brain Growth and Development
Session 3: Thursday February 20th
Communication and Language Development
Session 4: Thursday February 27th
Cognition and Executive Function
Session 5: Monday March 3rd
Social–Emotional Development
Session 6: Thursday March 13th
Understanding Behavior
Session 7: Thursday March 20th
Everyday Play
[BREAK - NO CLASS DURING SPRING BREAK]
Supporting Infant Mental Health in Early Learning Classrooms
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM
Session 1: Thursday April 3rd
Introduction to Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Session 2: Monday April 7th
Babies are people too
Session 3: Thursday April 10th
Teachers are brain builders, not babysitters
Session 4: Thursday April 17th
Toxic Stress Changes the Brain
Session 5: Thursday April 24th
Healthy Relationships Protect Babies and Young Children
Session 6: Thursday May 1st
Behavior is Communication
Session 7: Thursday May 8th
We All Have Blind spots
Session 8: Monday May 12th
Culture Shapes Parenting & Child Development
Session 9: Thursday May 15th
It Takes a Village
Session 10: Thursday May 22nd
Revisiting Truths, Reflections, & Next Steps
Registration:
41-hour Training Experience Agency + Training members : Free Slots Available for more information to register email Training Coordinator Jamie Dolan at training@faimh.org
41-hour Training Experience for All Other Members (Individual & Agency): $410
41-hour Training Experience for Non-Members: $500
Certificates
Certificate: Upon successful completion of full The Growing Brain series and Supporting Infant Mental Health In Early Learning Classrooms, a certificate of completion will be earned.
Technology Requirements:
To ensure the best possible experience for all participants, the program relies on online video conferencing, which has minimum requirements to work properly. You will need a desktop or laptop computer with speakers, microphone, and webcam, and a high-speed internet connection. Laptops work best because they come with all the necessary equipment and can easily be moved from room to room in your home or office to find a quiet place.
- Review the system requirements for the Zoom online meeting platform
- Try out a test meeting
- Test your audio and video in the meeting
View our Training Academy Policy on attendance, payment, cancellation and more.
Questions? Email us.
