About the Crucial First Years

The crucial first years

The first years of life are critical and when things go wrong we need to attend early. In these early years, the basic 'sculpting' of a child's brain takes place coincidently with the complete dependence of the infant on their parents and caregivers. There is growing evidence that early experiences influence brain structure and how connections are made among brain cells.1 These connections can affect a child's immediate and future cognitive, emotional and behavioural development. Improving an infant's dysfunctional or stressful environment is now understood to have the potential to improve both brain and emotional development. A child's environment is largely influenced by an infant's relationship to his caregivers, which can powerfully influence levels of stress, and the infant's ability to learn to self-regulate and learn basic social skills.
As healthy child development has its roots in early life experiences, investing in the period from birth to toddlerhood is critical not only for child development but also for greater community benefit. One study has shown that every dollar spent in early intervention can save seven dollars in future expenditures on health and social spending. Despite this knowledge, governments tend to commit greater financial investments later in life, thus missing the most critical time (0-2yrs) to promote later potential.2

Why PIRI was developed?

Despite the strong and growing evidence for the need to intervene early when parent-infant relationships are disturbed there is insufficient research providing evidence-based guidelines on how to change relationships that are in difficulty. We have established a unique model clinic and research centre, which is leading the field in the development and application of parent-infant intervention.
?There is compelling evidence on the importance of investing in the early years of a child's life. The links between what happens to children when they are young and their future wellbeing are undeniable.?
?If we can give our children a better start, we all stand to benefit.?3
PIRI is a dedicated Centre committed to developing and rolling out very early prevention programs out in a systematic way, and promote the needs of infants.

• Keating, D., Mustard, J.F. (1996). The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth: An Essential Element for Building a Learning Society in Canada. In Human Resources Development Canada and Statistics Canada. Growing Up in Canada: National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. (Statistics Canada Cat. No. 89-550-MPE, No. 1)
• Belli, P.C., Bustreo, F. & Preker, A. (2005). Investing in children's health: what are the economic benefits? Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 83(10), 777-784.
• Federal Government documents (2005).

This Institute is consistent with:

• National mental health policy highlighting parenting needs of parents with psychiatric disorders, health promotion and early intervention;
• Current policy and strategic directions from Government on the early years - Stronger Families and Communities Strategy;
• Research on the critical importance of infancy for brain development and social functioning and the
• High Risk Infant Program, Department of Human Services for the prevention of abuse and neglect.

PIRI operates on the premise that early intervention is the key to better outcomes not only during infancy, but also during later life. The quality of early relationships informs outcomes in life generally and early intervention can help promote resilience in individuals and families. With early intervention, families can be healthier and more functional, ultimately requiring fewer resources. There is growing recognition of the need for early intervention, particularly for vulnerable families. Yet there are few evidence-based guidelines of how to improve a dysfunctional early parent-infant relationship (0-2 years) and a serious service gap exists in this area. PIRI aims to develop those guidelines and advocate for services.