Pre- and post-natal exposure to negative events leaves children in foster care defenseless, especially in times of adversity. Their ability to cope is weakened, making support essential to creating healthier mental health outcomes (CECAD, 2000). Parents and guardians represent critical support for younger children who have not yet reached the school age level where peer and teacher relationships become part of their support system. Support is classified as instrumental, informational, and emotional (J. Springett, personal communication, October 4, 2013). In my opinion, from an instrumental point of view, helping the child in the ability to hold an object is an example of positive support. Reading a story to a five-year-old with integrated lessons about caring and sharing demonstrates informational support. Emotional support for young children requires parents to be constantly present in their lives and authentically demonstrate affection, for example with attention and play. Attention will be focused on this type of support to highlight the importance of relationships in child development and its links to mental health. Discussions have shown that early positive supportive ties decrease the influence of the stressful environment (J. Springett, personal communication, October 4, 2013). This is especially important for younger children as they are at a delicate time in “…the development of primary attachment relationships…” (Tucker & Mares, 2012, p. 206). Developing into a mentally healthy human being requires a child to have a nurturing relationship with an adult, which cultivates trust, protection and security (CECAD, 2000). This is supported by Erikson's developmental stages, as mentioned above, which include... half of the paper... traumatic events or separations resulting in increased behavioral problems. Programs that aim to break out of the negative cycle lead to positive parent-child relationships (this will be discussed in the current early childhood interventions section of this document). The strength and connectivity of these social relationships provide the mechanisms and building blocks for early child development, particularly as it relates to mental health (Nelson & Mann, 2011). Positive, healthy attachments enable progress through Erikson's early stages of development, from building trust to fostering initiative. As mentioned by S. Lynch (personal communication, September 20, 2013), the first three years of a child's experience have an intense effect on his or her subsequent progression. Therefore, these relational ingredients are precursors for maintaining good mental well-being.