Path #5: Attunement and Responsive Interactions
This learning path provides a context for how attunement and responsive interactions influence brain development and infant mental health. Topics include serve and return interactions, misattunement, and building a child’s brain through responsive relationships.
To get credit for this learning path, you must complete the 4 activities below, and then take a quiz to test your knowledge. Once you have completed the learning path and scored at least 80% on the quiz, you will have access to a certificate of completion.
Total time to complete the learning path: 1 hour

Activity 1
Watch the Video, 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return (Harvard University, runtime 6:06)
This video will highlight five simple strategies to support a child’s brain development through serve and return interactions.
Instructions: Watch the video and read the corresponding handout. Click “Download PDF” at the top of the page to access the handout.
Handout: 5 Steps for Building Serve and Return

Activity 2
Watch the video, Responsive Care: Nurturing a Strong Attachment through Everyday Moments (ZERO TO THREE, runtime 5:56)
This video will highlight concepts related to responsive interactions and care. Participants will learn the components of successful attunement through day to day interactions between the child and caregiver.
Instructions: Click the link to access the video.

Activity 3
Read the blog post: Misattunement - The Invisible Ace (PACEs Connection)
This blog post introduces the concept of misattunement. The author shares information about the connection between misattunement and social emotional development, children’s self-concept, and how this breakdown in serve and return patterns manifests in externalized behaviors.
Instructions: Click the link above to access the blog post. Reflect on how this information might shape your approach with the child and caregivers that you serve. Consider two ways you can use this information in your practice.

Activity 4
Watch the video, Building Babies Brains through Play (Harvard University, runtime 5:26)
This video highlights how serve and return interactions in the context of play are an accessible way to support a child’s brain development while supporting relationships between child and parent/caregiver.
Instructions: Click the link to access the video

Activity 5
Read the blog post, Rupture and Repair: Emotions, Attunement, and Attachment (Attachment Trauma Network)
This blog post describes the interplay of emotions, attunement, and attachment. Scenarios and strategies are explored.
Instructions: Click the link above to access the blog post. Reflect on how this information might shape your approach with the child and caregivers that you serve. Consider two ways you can use this information in your practice.

Activity 6
Read the blog post, Misattuned Parenting – Not Truly Being Present For Your Child (MindKind Mom)
This blog post describes parental misattunement and strategies to support stronger attunement.
Instructions: Click the link above to access the blog post. Reflect on how this information might shape your approach with the child and caregivers that you serve. Consider two ways you can use this information in your practice.
Quiz
Complete the Quiz
You must achieve a score of at least 80% on the quiz to receive a certificate of completion. This certificate will document 1 professional development (PD) hour.