The March edition of the CCEI newsletter focuses on ways to include self-care into the daily routine among teachers, administrators, and parents, as well as how to build these habits with students. Most people get into the child care industry because they care so much about the health and well-being of the children in their care, which means that their needs often come last. However, this mentality is leading to high turnover and burnout. Have you ever felt so tired from a day that you could barely make it to the couch that night? Do you find it hard to find the motivation to accomplish tasks in your everyday life? Are you regularly sick? Or do you often feel exhausted and overwhelmed? These are just a couple of reasons why it has become increasingly important to practice self-care.
When you fly on an airplane, have you ever wondered why you are instructed to put on your own oxygen mask first, before you help anyone else? This is because you cannot help anyone if you do not help yourself first. This same concept can be applied to teaching. In order to give students the best possible education, it is important for teachers to be happy and healthy. Notice that happiness is listed first as mental happiness often leads to physical healthiness, and vice versa. Self-care comes in many different forms for everyone depending on their schedule and needs, but it is important to do something daily to help fill your bucket. A teacher can’t give something they do not have, so if they do not refill their bucket, they will lose their caring, compassion, and patience.
“By taking care of myself, I have so much more to offer the world than I do when I am running on empty.”
-Ali Washington
As important as self-care is for adults, it can also be beneficial for children, as it often gives them to time to recharge and reflect. Young children often have trouble slowing down long enough to evaluate how they are feeling and process their surroundings. Encouraging times of stillness and reflection can help children learn how to handle their emotions. Instituting moments of self-care in the classroom can help students build up the tools they will need to be successful members of the community.
