Keeping your cool when working in ECEC

Have you ever felt like you’ve wanted to throw your hands in the air, stamp your feet or just scream out loud, when you’re working with children?  Working with children in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings can be a demanding and challenging role.

1. Children do not initially or intentionally set out to cause you grief.  Know this. Believe this. Don’t take their behaviour personally.

2. There is always a reason why children are acting out - all behaviour, positive or negative, is communication  Find out the “why” behind the behaviour.

3. Build relationships with all of the children in the group. When children have deep and connected relationships with their educators, they are more likely to respond to requests and to come to their educator for support in organising their feelings. How can you encourage everyone to work together? 

4. Children are learning all about the world and how to manage their emotions.  One of your roles is to help them understand and support their emotions. Understanding children’s emotional development can support educators to have more calm and compassionate responses.

5. Have a conversation with your co-educator/s (if applicable) about how to handle stressful moments in your working environment.  Some strategies may include simply saying, ‘I need a break’ or “I’m feeling really frustrated right now’. Collaborate on what the next step is, so that it is done with the safety of the children in mind and for the wellbeing of yourself.

6.  During the really stressful moments, stop what you are doing and take conscious breaths. Use the exhalation as a release. This will help to activate your  parasympathetic nervous system, so you come into a more balanced state.

7.  Create your own go-to mantra to repeat quietly to yourself, when you are faced with challenges. You could try a phrase like ‘everything will be ok’ or ‘I am calm’ or ‘Just breathe’ or ‘It’s not their fault’.

8.  If it is safe to do so, and the children are supervised, go outside for a few moments   to breathe in fresh air. Most rooms adjoin a yard, so if this is accessible to you, step out, take 5 deep purposeful breaths, ensuring you really breathe out long, on the exhale.  Bring your full attention to the breath to give you a moment to refocus your attention.   Notice the temperature of the air outside. What sounds can you hear? What do you see? This technique is called grounding, and it can be a useful tool for children also.

9. Develop a yoga space in your room by laying out a couple of yoga mats, place pictures of yoga poses on the wall, in a quiet space or corner of the room. This space can be used by you and the children!  When you are feeling any negative emotions, move it onto the mat.  Yoga has many known benefits to help reduce stress, so take advantage of moving it out on the mat. You’ll be a wonderful role model for the children and the reason behind why you are doing the yoga could be used as a teachable moment about how to manage your feelings.

10.  Incorporate a mindfulness program in your room. This could involve acknowledgement, conversations, understanding and education, as well as mindful   activities.