Dear Teacher,
You may have noticed that your work is not easy. It’s extremely important. At such a dynamic stage of human-development it holds boundless possibilities. You are very integral to building the foundation of social and emotional health and capacity of the children in your care. And indeed, there are many joyful and rewarding moments that are so very unique to your work.
But it is not easy.
How could it be? You are on the front-lines of guiding children during very challenging and complex times in our society. You are called on to be nurturing and responsive because children so badly need these qualities in adults. You are constantly adapting and adjusting to children’s individual needs and temperaments. Statistically, 1 in 4 children under four years old have experienced some form of trauma. And many may be in your classrooms.
You give so much of yourself every day.
And that’s just at work. You also may have noticed that you have a life outside of the classroom! And of course, your personal life is very important, as well. But even our personal lives may have their own challenges and demands.
Yes, you give so much of yourself every day.
So how do you refill all that you have poured out? How do you replenish all that you have given? How do you keep yourself focused and refreshed for your work and your loved-ones?
How do you even know where to start?
You start by taking You and your needs seriously. You start by embarking on stress-reduction practices and taking your self-care seriously. You start by immediately moving yourself up to the top of your “To-Do” list. You make yourself a priority.
Because until you make a strong commitment to You – Self-Care Tips often will not work. We might do them for a while and stop. Even when we see and feel the benefits, we stop. But once that strong commitment to your well-being is ignited, find a healthy self-care approach that appeals to you and then you can enjoy the benefits- and so will everyone around you!
So as you keep your commitments to everyone else – please keep your commitment to You, as well. You are worth it.
Sincerely,
Someone Who Knows How Valuable You Are
Read more about Self Care from Transforming Teachers.
Wayne RESA Great Start Readiness Program Early Childhood Specialist Guest Blogger: Judy Darling, LMSW, IMH-E@IV
Author: Wayne RESA - GSRP
Great Start Readiness Program is a Michigan state-funded preschool program for four-year-old children with factors which may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start. Funding is allocated to Wayne RESA to administer the program locally. These blogs were developed and funded under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education. Research on preschool programs and specific research on GSRP indicates that children provided with a high-quality preschool experience show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program.
Great Start Readiness Program is a Michigan state-funded preschool program for four-year-old children with factors which may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start. Funding is allocated to Wayne RESA to administer the program locally.
These blogs were developed and funded under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.
Research on preschool programs and specific research on GSRP indicates that children provided with a high-quality preschool experience show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program.
