You are an Early Childhood Educator who has just finished a long 8-hour shift at your childcare centre. Now you are heading home and picking up your 3-year-old from childcare. You are getting ready to go from one world of chaos to another, with more decision making, over stimulation, and constant talking.
All you want is some calmness to the day, but duty calls and your family needs you.
In this short article, you will learn ways to fill your own cup before you pour into others. You will also learn how to prioritize yourself in small, manageable ways throughout your day so you can feel taken care of and feel excited in your personal and professional life!
Because let’s be honest, picking up and leaving for a vacation every other week is not realistic. Here are some tools that you can apply anytime during the day!
Create a sense of belonging at work:
Many Educators find it hard to create their own space at work because they do not have a space to call their own. Most workspaces are shared. Some of us working in before and after school programs do not have set classrooms- where we may need to rotate the rooms every few months in schools.
How do we create a sense of belonging in these situations? One simple way is through routines. Create a routine at work that includes a small act of self-care that you enjoy every day. For example, arrive 5 minutes early and sit in your car to listen to your favourite song. Let it lift your mood and help you start your day feeling good.
Take breaks:
Break time is your time, a chance to rest and recharge. Step away from your work and focus on being present and mindful. We all love our work friends but try to talk about things other than work during your break. This will help you feel refreshed by allowing your mind to focus on something other than work. You could even take a short walk to the nearest coffee shop and enjoy a hot drink.
Reflect on the day:
Outline three positives from your day on your way home. For everyone this looks different, do what makes you comfortable , if that’s picking up your phone and calling a friend or take a few minutes pause and reflect with yourself. Maybe a child said something funny, you felt supported, or you led a fun activity. Focusing on these positive moments can lift your mood and help you end the day on a good note.
Self Care: Do a self-care ritual at least every other day. Take a few minutes to look in the mirror and remind yourself that you are worthy, smart, and capable. Tell yourself that you can handle whatever comes your way!
Being in a fast paced and busy environment while being on the go is not easy! As Educators we wear many hats and we are consistently pivoting to make decisions as we move through the day. This could leave you feeling overwhelmed , exhausted and unappreciated.
We want you to know that we truly appreciate all the Educators in the Peel region who work so hard to keep our community strong. Take a moment to ask yourself: How do you appreciate yourself? What is one thing you can do today to take care of yourself?
Our community simply could not thrive without the incredible Early Years Professionals who pour their energy into creating meaningful learning experiences for children each and every day.