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KAIMH Connections
Resources for Early Childhood Mental Health Advocates
Updates | June 2024
Highlights in this newsletter include an article on the "cry it out" method, responding to early childhood fears, updates on the Pyramid e-learning scholarships, upcoming professional development, ways to support infant and toddler mental health, and more!
Summer Tips to Boost Children's Development
Summer is a great time to expand children's experiences and engage their learning in new ways. This article from Brookes Publishing shares ways you can transform any summer day into a rich learning experience by getting outside, reading every day, providing summer jobs around the house, doing skill boosting games, mealtime conversations, and developmental checks. For details, check out the article here!
Four Ways to Support Infant and Toddler Mental Health
Infant and early childhood mental health, (IECMH) is defined as “the developing capacity of the child from birth to 5 years old to form close and secure adult and peer relationships; experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions; and explore the environment and learn—all in the context of family, community, and culture." In this article from the American Montessori Society, it describes two main factors that influence an infant or toddler’s mental health - attachment and personal characteristics - and four strategies to supporting IECMH: Focus on Joy, Learn to Regulate One's Own Emotions, Responding to Children's Emotions, and Fostering Independence with Limited Choices. Read more here.
Free ePyramid Model Training!
KAIMH has scholarships to cover Pyramid Model coursework, offered online through Brooks Publishing! Courses are self-paced and available on demand. Click on the flyer below to apply.
Infant Toddler Package Module 1: Social Emotional Development within the Context of Relationships Module 2: Responsive Routines, Environments, and Targeted Strategies Module 3: Individualized Intervention: Determining the Meaning of Behavior and Developing Appropriate Responses
Birth to Five Package Module 1: Building Relationships and Creating Supportive Environments Module 2: Social Emotional Teaching Strategies Module 3: Individualized Intervention: Determining the Meaning of Behavior and Developing Appropriate Responses
Around two years of age children start experiencing fear in a new way, due to their expanding cognitive abilities to think imaginatively. Although monsters in the closet are not real, by age three their growing brains spend a significant amount of time in their imaginary world and understanding what is real and what is pretend can get tricky. So how do we support children in managing their fears in a healthy way? It is good to give children a chance to practice getting through difficult situations, but how do we do that while also providing enough support to help grow their emotional regulation skills? The Child Mind Institute article, "How to Help Children Manage Fears," suggests the approach of talk, validate, make a plan, offer encouragement, and be patient. To listen to this article or read more click here.
Cry it Out?
An article by Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D., delves into the dangers of “crying it out” and how this practice stems from a misunderstanding of child development. She states that, "Giving babies what they need is really a basic right of babies," and explains how "cry it out" is a form of need-neglect that can have many long-term effects and impact their self-regulation skills, trust, and brain development.
Check out these upcoming professional development opportunities that support your Infant Mental Health Endorsement® from the Early Childhood Investigations Webinars, Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, Kansas Children's Service League, and Child Care Aware network.