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Description
Although there is a wealth of information about the important role secure attachment and affect regulation plays in an infant’s development, the theory and practices related to modern attachment theory are not commonly known to infant caregivers. The goal of the Optimal Beginnings project was to design, implement, and evaluate the Optimal Beginnings program with a group of infant caregivers at the Rose University Children’s Center. Rose University is a NAEYC accredited children’s center and is located in the southwestern part of the United States the Optimal Beginnings program is a socio/emotional based program intended to promote mental wellness in infants by educating infant caregivers on how to better promote secure attachments between them and their infants. The program is based on Bowlby’s Attachment theory, Modern Attachment theory, and neurobiological research on infant brain development. Topics included in the program include relational-based practices, such as nonverbal communication, attunement, and affect regulation. Optimal Beginnings was Implemented at Rose University’s Children Center in June, September, and October of 2016 The participants of the training program consisted of 16 full-time staff members, and 22 infant/toddler caregivers employed by the Children’s Center. An evaluation of the program has provided some evidence of the program’s effectiveness in not only educating infant caregivers, but also promoting mental wellness in infants. Proof of Optimal Beginnings value as a training program were supported by data that saw an increase in post training test scores as compared to pre training test scores for all participants attending the training. Observations and reflective journals provided good qualitative evidence that Optimal Beginnings achieved its goal of promoting mental wellness in infants.
