Purpose

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AimEarlyIdaho is devoted to the development of an infrastructure within Idaho which supports the importance of the myriad of relationships that support the optimal social and emotional development of infants, toddlers, and young children. Aim Early Idaho is a member of The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and as such holds the Endorsement® license for the State of Idaho.  The Endorsement® is available to individuals who work in the field of early childhood in a variety of settings.  Endorsement®  is an important part of the needed infrastructure within Idaho to support Idaho’s youngest citizens and their families.

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Healthy social and emotional development, also known as Infant Mental Health, refers to a child’s capacity to experience, manage, and express a full range of positive and negative emotions; develop close, satisfying relationships with others; and actively explore environments and learn (Zero to Three). Social and emotional development is an integral part of the foundation that helps guide a young child into adulthood and is firmly tied to every other area of development—physical growth and health, communication and language development, cognitive skills, and early relationships. Early childhood social and emotional development is influenced by biology, environment and relationships that exist between a small group of consistent caregivers and a child.