Infants have so much to show and tell us if we are prepared to wonder, listen, and learn!

Program Overview

To be able to effectively support children ages 2 – 5 years and provide responsive early intervention requires nuanced relational observation (RO) skills that are not routinely taught in clinical training, but an expected competency in infant mental health (IMH). Developed to address this gap, the Meeting the Infant Model© or MTIM is an interactive and relational observation approach for professionals working in IMH and/or early intervention who are looking to enhance their skill set in observation to support therapeutic evaluation and planning.

The MTIM© was designed to provide comprehensive description of a child’s individual capacities, abilities, and strengths in relation to the quality of caregiving experiences and caregiving environment. It shifts away from being a diagnostic/assessment tool, instead privileging ‘meeting’ infants in situ, so that we can briefly enter their world to better understand their experiences, relationships, and identify their unique capacities. This is especially important when supporting infants who have complex experiences of early life adversity or co-occurring developmental differences. All too often, the strong focus on unwanted or challenging behaviour means the infant gets lost from view.

To ensure they stay in view, the MTIM consists of two key components. The Infant Capacities Observation Tool (ICOT) and Infant Capacities Observation Wheel (ICOW) capture and organise descriptive information recorded during observation as essential, but often missing, information needed to inform comprehensive therapeutic planning. The MTIM© is underpinned by trauma-informed and neuro-affirming principles and aims to provide a culturally safe and family-centred approach to early intervention.

The structure of the training program reflects different needs and preferences for various practitioners working in IMH with 3 training options available.

Level 1: Introduction to MTIM© Relational Observation (5 hours)

Available any time, this self-paced course consists of three modules addressing the foundations of the MTIM© through video lectures, case vignettes, quizzes, reflective exercises, and readings.

Module 1— ‘Meeting infants 2-5 years’ introduces

• The infant, their family and community
• The toddler and preschool years—a brief overview of key developmental milestones with a focus on social-emotional development and relational health
• The neurodiverse infant—understanding common developmental differences
• The traumatised preschooler—focus on adaptive strategies of attachment
• Infant rights

Module 2— ‘MTIM© theories and relational ethic of care’

• History of relational observation
• Brief theoretical orientation to attachment, child development, play, and neurobiology
• Ethical considerations of RO with infants and families
• Cultural considerations

Module 3— ‘MTIM© Best Practice’

• Suitability considerations
• Establishing the focus—prevention, early intervention
• Drawing it all together—informing case formulation
• Documentation—description not interpretation
• Parent/caregiver feedback
• How to be the best EI provider (competent and scope of practice)
• Neuro-affirming and trauma-informed

Level 2: MTIM© Online Workshop (6 hours)

Designed to be a live, hands-on, and interactive workshop, trainees will learn how to implement the MTIM© as well as practice using the ICOW and ICOT tools. The topics covered include:

• Key Principles of applied practice
• Process and implementation—how to set up and undertake MTIM
• Tools—ICOT, ICOW, process notes
• Gathering data—what, how, when, where, and why
• Providing feedback
• Managing challenges

Trainees will receive the MTIM© manual and associated tools.

*To enrol, level 1 is a pre-requisite course.

Level 3: MTIM© Advanced Training

The advanced training course is for those looking for a deeper dive into the MTIM© and ready to take the tools into their practice! Level 3 offers a more expansive learning experience with trainees participating in a series of small group consultations that run shortly after level 2 concludes.

Trainees will be able to apply the MTIM© in their practice to bring along a training case to small group consultation lead by Dr Emma van Daal who created the MTIM©. The benefits of participating in the advanced training include:

• Deepening practice skills
• Peer learning in closed group
• Individualised consultancy support
• Direct client feedback

Enrolment options

1: Level 1

2. Level 1 & 2
3. Level 2 (only available after level 1 is completed)
4. Level 2 & 3
5. Level 3 (only available when SGC is scheduled- refer to timetable or email for more information)