Useful links
The KidsMatter Early Childhood team has compiled a list of resources relevant to early childhood mental health. These resources cover a broad range of interest areas and are updated regularly, consistent with current trends and research in the area. The resources are suitable for families, parents and carers, early childhood staff, early childhood mental health professionals, and other interested people. Click on the links below for further information.
Australian Sites
Early Childhood Australia is the peak national, non-profit, non-government organisation that acts in the interests of young children. They provide a range of options and outcomes to support growth and development of young children. At http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/, under the heading “Supporting Best Practice” you will find quality assured links to articles on child development, emotional wellbeing, and many other topics related to early childhood.
beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance-use disorders in Australia. Information about these topics is available at http://www.beyondblue.org.au
Children Of Parents with a Mental Illness provides information for family members across Australia who have a parent experiencing a mental illness, and for people who care for and work with them. The overall aim of the initiative is to promote better mental health outcomes for children (0-18 years) of parents experiencing a mental illness http://www.copmi.net.au/. A booklet providing tips, information for answering children’s questions about their parent or carer experiencing mental health difficulties as well as ideas about where to seek help, is available at www.copmi.net.au/files/FamilyTalk_final.pdf.
Australian Childhood Foundation is a national organisation aimed at protecting children and preventing abuse and violence. A range of useful resources for families, including information in a range of languages, is available at http://www.childhood.org.au/
Tasmanian Early Years Foundation was established by the Tasmanian Government and works in partnership with the Tasmanian community to support the wellbeing of children their families. The Foundation provides grants for evidence-based early childhood initiatives and promotes research in relation to the wellbeing, development and learning of children aged 0-6. A range of publications and resources are available at http://www.earlyyears.org.au/about
Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMHI) is a national organisation of professionals from a range of fields who work with infants and their families. The AAIMH is affiliated with the World Association for Infant Mental Health and recognises that the infancy is a critical time for development of social and emotional wellbeing. The AAIMH hold a national conference annually to enhance knowledge and skills about infancy and promote research, education, mutual support through networking, and advocacy for children’s mental health and wellbeing. Publications and training event details are available at http://www.aaimhi.org/
Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) has been developed collaboratively by the Australian and State and Territory Governments and describes the principles, practice and outcomes essential to support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, and their transition to school. The EYLF is part of the Council of Australian Government’s (COAG) reform agenda for early childhood education and care and is a key component of the Australian Government’s National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care. Further information is available at http://www.deewr.gov.au/earlychildhood/policy_agenda/quality/pages/earlyyearslearningframework.aspx
The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) aims to support communities to improve the health, development and wellbeing of all children. The CCCH operates clinical services, research and programs. A particular focus of the work at the CCCH is to support and strengthen community-based professionals and organisations in their work with families, so as to bring about the best outcomes for children. The CCCH’s work focuses on five major themes:
• Development, behaviour and mental health
• Obesity
• Language, learning and literacy
• Hearing
• Service development
The Centre is widely recognised for their clinical, teaching, research and advocacy programs. A range of resources and publications are available at www.rch.org.au/ccch
Australian Child and Adolescent, Trauma, Loss and Grief Network focuses on providing knowledge, information and resources to a range of stakeholders, supporting local and national networking and linkages between people responsible for, or working with, children, adolescents and their families, and bringing together stakeholders in the areas of practice, policy and research related to children and adolescents with experiences of trauma, loss and grief. Resources including grief and loss, disasters, medical trauma are available at http://www.earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/
Families NSW is a Government strategy to enhance the health and wellbeing of children up to 8 years and their families. It does this by helping parents to build their skills and confidence in parenting, supporting parents and carers so they can respond to problems early, building communities that support children and families and improving the way agencies work together to make sure families get the services they need. Resources are available at http://www.families.nsw.gov.au/resources/resources-index.htm.
Raising Children Network, funded under the Australian Government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, is a national website aimed at helping families care for their children. Articles on a range of issues relevant to children’s development are available at http://raisingchildren.net.au/
Kidscount, developed by the Australian Childhood Foundation, is a website for parents and carers providing useful information about children’s development. Available in a range of languages at http://www.kidscount.com.au/
Family Relationships Online provides families with access to a range of information regarding family relationship issues, such as building relationships, family separation, parenting, and effective communication. A range of brochures, tip sheets and relevant community service details are available at http://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Australian Institute of Family Studies is an Australian Government statutory agency with the role of conducting research and communicating family wellbeing information to policy makers, service providers and the broader community. Further information is available at http://www.aifs.gov.au/
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Australia provides information on the Australian Government’s role and contributions to mental health reform activities in Australia. The site is maintained by the Australian Government agencies with responsibility for implementing these reforms and information is available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mentalhealth/Publishing.nsf/Content/Home-1
International Sites
The ABCs of Mental Health is a collection of resources about children’s mental health designed for parents and carers, ECEC educators and teachers. Run by the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre for Children’s Mental Health in Canada, the site contains information about the promotion, prevention and early intervneiton og mental health difficulties in childhood. The site has a lot of general information about mental health in early childhood, practical suggestions for the prevention of mental health difficulties and suggestions for early intervention strategies to use in at the service or in the home with children who may be expereincing mental health difficulties. These resources are available at http://www.hincksdellcrest.org/ABC/Welcome.aspx
Circle of Security aims to help parents, carers and families raise their children with love, warmth and emotional intelligence. The work is based upon an interface of attachment theory, object relations theory, and family systems theory. The researchers at Circle of Security have designed a parenting approach involving helping parents and carers to connect with infants and toddlers in ways to make new constructive and healthy relationship patterns. Further information including training seminar details, is available at http://www.circleofsecurity.net/
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning is designed to strengthen the capacity of child care programs to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of young children. The Center has developed training materials and resources reflecting evidence-based practices for promoting children’s social and emotional development and preventing challenging behaviours. Resources such as family tools and training modules are available at http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/
Child Trauma Academy (CTA) works to improve the lives of high-risk children through direct service, research and education. CTA is located in Texas and is a not-for-profit organisation. A key focus of the CTA is to explore and integrate findings about the human brain and child development into practical implications for the education, protection and nurturing of children. CTA also works to create collaborative working relationships between organisations and individuals to most effectively promote positive change for children. Articles on a range of issues such as abuse and neglect, attachment and brain development are available at http://www.childtrauma.org/
Zero to Three is a national organisation promoting the health and development of infants and toddlers. Zero to Three focuses on bringing together the knowledge and ideas from many fields, showing that all domains of development –social, emotional, intellectual, language and physical – are interdependent and work together to promote a child’s overall health and well-being in the context of his family and culture. Further information is available at http://www.zerotothree.org/
