With 75% of the Early Education workforce experiencing between levels 3 to 5 for their work related stress we look at the impact of this on our bodies and consider what we can do to support our wellbeing.
Blog
“Strive to make everyday the best day of your life, because there is no good reason not to.” Hal Elrod
The Magic of Christmas
Nov 20, 2019
I remember Christmas as a trainee teacher working in a reception class. I thought to myself where is the fun, the enjoyment.. the magic?!
We were just in a conveyor belt of Christmas making activities! I wasn’t even sure that the children understood what they were making and why?!
We missed opportunities to discuss with the children the wonderful experiences they had at home of putting their tree up, family celebrations and going to visit Father Christmas in his grotto.
Christmas is such a busy time that it doesn’t always offer children the chance to slow down, observe, reflect and question. The freedom to look and listen and ask questions.
It can be a time when we forget all the high quality practice we usually do as we squeeze so much into one day. I urge you to try and slow things down a little this Christmas. Give time to igniting the senses, sharing favourite books with a hot chocolate and opportunities to just play!
Who’s with me?
Slow down your Christmas with some suppor
...A Hygge Christmas!
Oct 31, 2019
Christmas is such an exciting and wonderful time of year, but it can also become over whelming on the senses if we are not careful. Jane (Environmentasthe3rdteacher), an Early Educator in Australia, shares with us how she sets up a calm environment in her school while also ensuring the fun of the festive season.
You may think I’m a little strange but I have never really been one for traditional Christmas colours or the typical tinsel tree both in my home (much to my own children's dismay) and in my Pre Primary class. I prefer like in many of my set ups, natural products. When it comes to a Christmas tree often it involves a branch or driftwood with seed pods, twig stars and fairy lights. This year in my classroom I decided to set up a little Christmas area separated from the rest of my room by draping organza from the ceiling with twinkle lights woven through and
around.
I wanted to have a few different choices here including a sensory table which will change weekly i.e. fake snow etc...
Is Hating Your Job Damaging Your Body?
Jun 11, 2019
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When I worked as an early years teacher and leader I often had feelings of overwhelm and anxiety around doing my job well. I had an ever growing to do list and very little time to do these tasks. I would get up early to be the first in work and would always be the last one to leave. My weekends and evenings were often consumed with more work! My social life become non existent as I was either working or exhausted. Does this sound familiar?
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The stress of the job was having such a negative impact on the way my body was responding. My skin was dull, my eyes had lost their sparkle (and had been replaced with dark bags) and I was exhausted and achey. No amount of expensive face cream or make up would give me a healthy glow.
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We know that when we face ...
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