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KAIMH Connections
Resources for Early Childhood Mental Health Advocates
Updates | June 2026
Read below for information on QPR suicide prevention training, Endorsement scholarships, summer self-care tips, upcoming professional development and more!
The Devereux Center for Resilient Children is shining a light on one of the most important conversations you can have: talking about mental health with young children. Their short video series offers practical, age-appropriate guidance to help start these conversations with confidence, compassion, and care.These videos introduce simple language, everyday moments, and supportive strategies that can help children understand their emotions and feel safe expressing them. Click here to view the playlist!
Summer Self-Care
With each season comes an opportunity to rethink your self-care practices. Summer self-care means balancing the season's joyful energy with rest. This is a time to prioritize hydration and mindful sun exposure, protect your circadian rhythm despite the long daylight hours, and set boundaries to avoid burnout. It is the perfect time to refresh your routine and connect with yourself!
Sun & Skin CareMindful Exposure: Spend 15 minutes in the morning sun to naturally boost your Vitamin D, but seek shade and wear SPF during peak UV hours to protect your skin. Consider having a cooling rituals by keeping a refreshing facial mist in the fridge and incorporate soothing, hydrating ingredients like aloe or hyaluronic acid into your daily skincare.
Hydration & Nutrition: Eat seasonally and swap heavy meals for fresh, hydrating produce. Carry a reusable water bottle and infuse it with cucumber or citrus for a refreshing twist.
Rest & Routine: The sun stays up late, but keeping a consistent bedtime helps regulate your mood and energy.
Set Boundaries: Summer comes with endless invitations. Say "no" to draining obligations to protect your peace.
Mental Wellbeing: Try a temporary social media detox or limit screen time to be more present in real time.
Nature Immersion: Take your self-care outside. Grab a book and relax under the trees or enjoy a leisurely walk at your favorite park.
Movement: Beat the heat by getting active early in the day. Opt for outdoor yoga, swimming, or an early morning stroll.
Rooted & Restored: Reconnecting Educators to Purpose and Well-Being
Those who care for others also deserve space to rest, reflect, and restore.This June, early childhood educators are invited into that space. A restorative, retreat-style experience designed to help you pause, reconnect, and renew your sense of purpose through nature-based activities, reflection, and practical wellness strategies you can bring back to your program.
📍 Dillon Nature Center – Shady Lane Cabin, Hutchinson, KS
Throughout the day, you’ll explore stress and burnout, experience grounding practices, and leave with a personalized wellness plan and practical tools to support both you and the children in your care.
This is more than a training; it’s a chance to slow down and reconnect.
This workshop is designed to provide friends, family and others with information on how to recognize and respond to suicide risk with an additional focus on reducing access to lethal means-especially firearms. Participants learn how to talk with someone who might be having these thoughts in a collaborative, non-judgmental and supportive manner.
Did you know that the Infant/early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® provides credibility for professionals engaged in the critical work of supporting infant & young children’s social-emotional and relational health & well-being? It is one of the first and most comprehensive efforts in the world to identify best practice competencies across disciplines and to offer a pathway for professional development. In addition to a professional’s background, I/ECMH-Endorsement® recognizes achievement of knowledge and training in the area of infant and early childhood mental health.
Ready to start or complete your Infant and/or Early Childhood Endorsement? Interested in a scholarship to cover your fees?
Check out these upcoming professional development opportunities that support your Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® from the Early Childhood Investigations Webinars, Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, Kansas LEND, Kansas Children's Service League, and Child Care Aware network and KAIMH.
