The clinical focus of this subject is intended to give students essential skills for practice in working with families with young children from birth to age five. It includes the practical application of the parameters of normal development in early childhood, with a particular focus on attachment theory in infancy and normal variations in child behaviours. It supports the health role of the child and family health nurse in undertaking comprehensive assessments of infants and young children 0–5 years of age and in providing anticipatory guidance to alleviate distress and worry in parents. Nutritional requirements in young children and the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding are included. The subject increases the students' ability to support and instil confidence in parents caring for a young baby, and to provide opportunities for social support and education. The subject includes a parentcraft workshop.
The subject requires the successful completion of a clinical experience program of 80 hours, undertaken as five single 8-hour days, in early childhood health centres and a one-week block in a Tresillian facility.