New for 2025: NBO training is offered in a two-tier manner to better meet the varied needs of participants.
Level 1 NBO training
The Level 1 NBO course provides an in-depth introduction to the NBO, covering foundational theory including neurobehavioral development, the transition to parenthood and early parent-infant relationship development. After Level 1 training, participants can begin to incorporate the principles and items of the NBO into their work with families with newborn and young infants. Many participants also report applying the same principles to their engagement with older infants and children. Participants will also learn how to administer the NBO to make observations of newborn behavior and identify newborn behavioral patterns, interpret these observations from a developmental point-of-view, and communicate this information to parents as a form of support and guidance in a way that is individualized, non-judgmental, non-prescriptive, and culturally sensitive. Level 1 NBO Training is team taught by two faculty with an emphasis on interactive exchange and hands-on practice.
Which Level 1 training is right for you: Standard or High-Risk?
Standard level 1 NBO trainings are typically team taught by faculty from a variety of backgrounds to allow for focus on both an understanding of newborn behavior and on the relationship-building aspects of the NBO.
Level 1 NBO trainings for high-risk infants share the same basic curriculum, theoretical content, and certification process as standard NBO trainings. The faculty for the NBO training for high-risk infants are both pediatric physical therapists with particular expertise in high risk infants in EI and NICU settings. These trainings are therefore especially suited to professionals working specifically with high-risk infants.
Level 2 NBO training – certification course
After completing Level 1 NBO Training, participants are encouraged to continue learning by pursuing certification in the NBO. NBO Certification focuses on the practical applications of NBO principles and administration learned in Level 1 Training. This course provides a step-by-step scaffolded experience with a group mentor to support certification in the NBO. Participants are expected to practice the items of the NBO (time required varies based on experience). Documentation of 5 NBOs are submitted over the span of the 6-month course. After completing Level 2 NBO Training, participants will have gained significant experience in administering all items of the NBO, preparing them to use the NBO as a stand-alone relationship-building intervention and/or incorporate it into their professional work with newborn families in an informed manner. Participants will learn the interplay of decision-making based on the infant’s state and tolerance for stimulation and the parent/caregiver’s responses within the encounter.
NBO – refresher course
The one-day NBO Refresher course is designed for those who have completed the Level 1 NBO training and want to refresh or update their knowledge. You may or may not have certified and would like to revisit the NBO elements to help you with certification or your NBO practice.
Note: Certification is required to apply the NBO in any research setting.
Level 3 advanced mentoring for NBO-certified practitioners
This course aims to deepen the NBO-certified practitioner’s understanding and application of the NBO principles in their clinical practice. These 4 monthly interactive 2-hr sessions require active practice of the NBO before and during the monthly sessions.
Advanced workshop on using the NBO with families in substance use recovery
This 4-hour workshop aims to deepen your understanding of infants who have experienced prenatal substance exposure and postnatal withdrawal (NAS/NOWS) and enhance your relationship-based care skills with their parents living with Substance Use Disorder (SUD).