Path #1: Introduction to Social Emotional Development
This learning path provides an introduction of social emotional development. Topics include evidence-based research, a framework for infant mental health, and the importance of family, environment, experiences, and culture.
To get credit for this learning path, you must complete the 4 activities below, then take a quiz to test your knowledge. Once you have completed the learning path and scored at least 80% on the quiz, you will have access to a certificate of completion.
Total time to complete the learning path: 2 hours
Activity 1
Complete the Social Emotional Development of Young Children online course. (VEIPD)
This course was developed as an introduction to social emotional development, also known as infant mental health. Topics covered in this module include: social emotional development, evidence-based research including a framework for infant and child mental health, and reflection on the impact of past experiences, family, and culture on healthy social emotional development.
Instructions: Complete the online course. A certificate of completion (for this online course only) will be provided after successfully passing the course’s final quiz.
Activity 2
Read the Functional Emotional Development article, including Capacities 1-5. (The Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning)
This article describes basic social emotional development, described as capacities (milestones or stages).
Instructions: Click the link above. It will directly open to the article. Read the article including Capacities 1-5 which cover milestones birth to 48 months.
Activity 3
Read the blog post, Supporting Social and Emotional Development: What ALL Early Interventionists Can Do! (EI Strategies for Success)
This blog post helps you understand how knowledge of social emotional development supports infant mental health. The handout provides strategies that all early interventionists can use.
Instructions: Click the link above to access the blog post. Think about the tips and how you can implement them into your practices. Read the two questions at the bottom of the article and feel free to comment below.
Activity 4
Read the Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships (Harvard University)
This pioneering article from the Center on the Developing Child from Harvard University describes the importance of quality and reliable relationships on the development of the young child’s brain architecture.
Instructions: Click the link above. It will directly open to the article. Read the article.
Quiz
Complete the Quiz
You must achieve a score of at least 80% on the quiz to receive a certificate of completion. This certificate will document 1 professional development (PD) hour. With this certificate, and the certificate you received for completing the Introduction to Social Emotional Development module, you will have documentation of a total of 2 PD hours.