A mentalization-based primary prevention program for stress prevention during the transition from family care to day care

A mentalization-based early prevention program for daycares will be presented. The program aims at supporting families during the transition to day care. Transitional phases are significant threshold situations in which vulnerabilities can become activated. Therefore, prevention at this point, especially for children from psychosocial burdened families is of great importance.Theoretical background of the program is the concept of mentalization. In the context of stress and intensive emotional arousal mentalization is likely to fail.The goal of the program is to prevent stress, to strengthen the mentalization ability to support the parent–child relationship and to promote the child's development.