In Heart-Centered Teaching Insprited by Nature, Nancy Rosenow talks about how important it is that early childhood professionals take care of their own selves and observes...
"It is a fair guess that anyone who has been attracted to the field of education possesses a good dose of empathy. We want to help. We want to make a difference in people's lives, especially children's. This is a wonderful quality, and one to celebrate, but it comes with potential danger. I urge all of us, myself included, to be sure we are keeping ourselves grounded through the strong roots of self-nurturing and self-understanding before we want to share out empathy with others. If we offer our love and care to others from a place of internal strength, everyone's inner gardens will grow better."
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Displaying All 2 Commentsece consultant
Dallas, TX, United States
When I was teaching kindergarten, I could get exhausted. Many years I had no assistants, and 25 children. My only saving grace was figuring out quiet time for myself. So I would arrive at school 1hr before the children came, to have my cup of coffee, review my daily plans, before the 'lovelies' arrived. I was ready, and it really worked for me. AND...
After they left, to unwind, I stayed for a time in my classroom to unwind, play my music, have my tea, review the day, put out materials based on what children were engaged in, and then I would drive straight home, lay down for 45 minutes, close my eyes and allow my body to decompress. Then I got up, took a shower, and had a relaxing evening. We have to feel loved by ourselves, in order to share authentic love with our children. Enuf for today...;)
CSBC
Denver, United States
It is not possible to do what this piece suggests without first providing those people who work with young children adequate pay and good benefits that include health insurance. Further, when additional training is required of staff, it must be done within the business day, and not in the evenings and on weekends. It is amazing to me that my students have all put in a full day of work before they come to my classes in the evenings.
ironically, those of us who teach the teachers also need this kind of practical support. My community college - part of the Colorado system - provides part-time teachers with no heath insurance; also the cafeteria is closed when I teach in the evenings and on weekends. Interestingly, students at the college now have access to excellent health support (both physical and mental heath) on site, while part-time teachers are provided with none.
I sometimes get a little upset with all the philosophizing about early education when it seems we are unwilling to first provide the basics: adequate salaries, paid vacations, and health insurance. To me this must come first!
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