Center on the developing child

Harvard University

Related to Parental mental illness, Substance use

‘The Center on the Developing Child’s diverse activities align around building an R&D (research and development) platform for science-based innovation, and transforming the policy and practice landscape that supports and even demands change. We do this because society pays a huge price when children do not reach their potential, because half a century of policies and programs have not produced breakthrough outcomes, and because dramatic advances in science are ready to be used to achieve a promising future for every child.’

This website covers a broad range of topics including the science of early childhood, innovation and application, collective change, and a very comprehensive resource library.

Discover more resources

Practice paper

Identifying social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in the early childhood years

Lucy Tully

The early childhood years (birth to age 3 or ‘the first 1,000 days’) are a time of rapid physical, emotional and cognitive development. Many children experience developmentally normal and transient social, emotional and behavioural problems during this time. However, for some children, these problems may also be the start of a pattern of more severe and persistent social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD). These children and their families may benefit from early and timely support.
In focus

In focus: What is infant and child mental health (and why is it important)?

Emerging Minds

Practitioners are in a unique position to provide support to parents and help plan for children's social and emotional development and mental health at the earliest possible stage. This resource aims to develop your knowledge about what is child mental health and how practitioners and health workers in both child and adult services can create opportunities for positive child mental health.
Video

What is a practice nurse?

Emerging Minds

Learn more about how a practice nurse can support you and your family.
Video

What is a family law counsellor?

Emerging Minds

Learn more about how a family law counsellor can support you and your family.
Webinar

Child-centred approaches to supporting children in out-of-home care

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar outlines practical ways to prioritise the voices of children in OOHC that can support their mental health and wellbeing. It includes perspectives and advice specific to those working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Practice paper

Culturally responsive strategies for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part two)

Amanda Kemperman, Emerging Minds

This paper is the second of two that discuss culturally responsive practice to support children’s mental health and wellbeing when working with families with diverse cultural (or CALD) backgrounds.
Practice paper

Culturally responsive understandings for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part one)

Amanda Kemperman, Emerging Minds

This paper is the first of two that discuss practising cultural responsiveness in working with families from diverse (or CALD) communities to support children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Fact sheet

Emerging Minds Focus framework summaries

Emerging Minds

These resources are designed to build your understanding of how Emerging Minds Focus can support quality improvement within your sector.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: May 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This May 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Short article

Sleep health and sleep inequities in children

Dr Mandy Truong, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This short article outlines what sleep inequities are, and explores the relationship between sleep health and child mental health among school-aged children.
Practice paper

Children’s mental health when experiencing multiple adversities: Practice skills for effective conversational maps

Emerging Minds

This paper examines five practice perspective shifts that are often utilised by family and relationship practitioners who want to engage with children about every aspect of their lives.
Fact sheet

Listen to our voices and our stories: Including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in decisions that impact them

Kahli Regan, Tannielle McHugh, Prof Pat Dudgeon, Prof Helen Milroy, Dr Jemma Collova

To understand the issues that are impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and how to best provide support, it’s important to listen to and empower the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Center on the developing child

Harvard University

Discover more resources

Identifying social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in the early childhood years

In focus: What is infant and child mental health (and why is it important)?

What is a practice nurse?

What is a family law counsellor?

Child-centred approaches to supporting children in out-of-home care

Culturally responsive strategies for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part two)

Culturally responsive understandings for promoting children’s health and wellbeing across diverse communities (part one)

Emerging Minds Focus framework summaries

Highlights in child mental health research: May 2024

Sleep health and sleep inequities in children

Children’s mental health when experiencing multiple adversities: Practice skills for effective conversational maps

Listen to our voices and our stories: Including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in decisions that impact them

Subscribe to our newsletters