ABSTRACT
Chapter 5 examines child developmental domains in infants and toddlers. A child’s nature and development are significantly influenced by attachment relationships and environmental conditions. Parents help to provide the scaffolding for ongoing developmental skills. Both trauma and caregiving have immediate and long-term effects—e.g., via skill-building, developmental interruption. The attachment relationship begins before birth, is influenced by the first two hours of contact, and has influenced interpersonal styles throughout life. Infant traits, which may be shaped pre-natally and in early life, influence the ways that an infant or toddler interacts with, reacts to, and elicits reactions from others and influences how they respond to environmental conditions or adversity. A mother’s ability to synchronize with her child and to mentalize (perspective-taking skills) may influence the child’s health, self-concept, beliefs about others, mental health, and ongoing well-being. Mirror neurons appear to be active from infancy and are a part of the ability to take another’s perspective. Skills learned in this phase of development are often precursors to later, more developed skills. Skills such as the ability to play and rhythmic activity are a part of brain and behavioral development and may become a part of the healing process. Case examples and tables are provided.
