The 7 main focus areas of CIF
CIF's research is organized in 7 focus areas which are directed at the 0-6 year old children and their families, from pregnancy to preschool age.
a) CIF aims at qualifying future psychologists within the areas of early childhood mental health and early intervention, by providing research-based education to psychology students.
Students with interest in our reaserch have different options for working with CIF.
b) CIF provides supplementary education in systematic and evidence-based methods targeting professionals working with pregnant women, infants and preschool children: health visitors, midwifes, psychologists, physicians, pedagogues, social service and more.
Read more about the specific trainings and seminars that CIF offers professionals.
The transition to parenthood is an important developmental phase. Early detection and preventive efforts should be commenced during pregnancy and directed towards all expectant parents, thereby including those who are vulnerable and at risk.
Twenty to twenty-five percent of all new Danish parents experience insecurity about their new roles. This may interfere with the early relationship between parent and baby, as well as with the joy of parenthood. New parents can be supported by a preventive intervention, delivered in their homes, by the visiting health-nurse.
Fifteen to twenty percent of all infants and their families can be categorized as “at-risk”. These children and their families should be detected early by the use of scientifically solid and systematic methods, such as the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB).
Those children and families, who have been identified as vulnerable, should be offered evidence-based intervention programs, such as the parenting program Circle of Security (COSP ©).
The young child learns about itself and the world through play and exploration. The child’s ability to play and explore is closely connected to the child’s experience of security in relation to his or her caregivers. Today, we know too little about how adults (parents, kindergarten-teachers etc.) may stimulate and support the child’s play and learning.
Fathers have been overlooked attachment and infant mental health research. We need more knowledge about the role of the fathers, in both the physical and emotional caregiving of the young child, as well as knowledge about how the quantity and quality of the fathers’ involvement affect child development.