BERA

“Enjoying one’s child and sharing in the awe of discovering what it means to be alive and to be a person in a wondrous world is crucial for the development of a child’s positive sense of self and self-in relation to others. When parents are respectful and compassionate toward themselves and their children, they often gain a fresh perspective that can enrich their relationship and their enjoyment of life together.”

(Adapted from Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell, Parenting From the Inside Out,
2003)

Relationships: The Cornerstone of Infant/Early Childhood Development

The Brief Early Relational Assessment (B-ERA) is a method of joining with parents in assessing their relationship with their child, highlighting strengths, addressing concerns and exploring their own experience of being parented and their hopes and dreams for their relationship with their child.
Infants and young children need sensitive, responsive and loving care that is emotionally attuned and supportive, consistent and stable in order to develop a sense of security and trust. As toddlers and preschoolers, they also need guidance, structure and limits to grow and thrive. All parents want to see their children flourish. The B-ERA method helps us explore with parents their strengths and concerns regarding their ability to provide their children with these fundamental needs. The B-ERA method also allows us to look together with parents at what makes it difficult for them at times to meet their child’s relational needs. Through the B-ERA process of collaborative assessment, exploration and goal setting, based on observations, video replay and interview regarding the parent’s own relational history, parents are empowered to use their strengths to tackle the parenting challenges they face and develop more emotionally connected, loving relationships with their children; thus, laying the foundation for their children’s healthy social, emotional and cognitive functioning.

The foundations of Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health are are built on the development of self-regulation capacities, within healthy attachment relationships, contributing to an emerging sense of competence in relationships and in their world. It is in the context of children’s earliest caregiving relationships that this foundation is established.

Attachment

When a caregiver is emotionally available and responsive to their child’s needs, the infant/child develops a sense of trust. This experience of dependable care creates a secure base from which to explore their world. A sense of trust develops when a caregiver provides a safe haven for their child, responding to their cues, meeting their needs when they are distressed and protecting them during difficult times, as well as engaging with them when things are going well, sharing in their delight and noticing and narrating their interests. The experience of “being held” by a caregiver, in a sensitive, warm and loving way, be it physically, visually, or through words, helps a child to feel held in mind by those they depend on for care, security and comfort. Healthy attachment relationships lay the foundation for children’s sense of self and provide a template for what
they can expect in future relationships.