The Essence of Educator Wellbeing

By Alana Evans, Founder of Belong Be Become

Our role as educators reflects our desire to foster the wellbeing of children however, we must also believe that we are worth taking care of.

The health and wellbeing of early childhood educators holds great significance from a myriad of perspectives.

Over the past fifteen years of working in the early childhood sector, I have noticed that the most effective way to promote the wellbeing of the children in my care is to embody a strong sense of wellbeing within myself.

I believe that the wellbeing of educators is key to promoting high-quality outcomes for children, preventing burnout and upholding purpose and integrity as an early childhood professional.

High Quality Outcomes for Children

An article by Cumming (2016) says:

“a direct connection occurs between early childhood educators’ wellbeing and their capacity for providing high quality education and care”.

From both study and observation, a large portion of learning for young children, manifests through imitation. When educators exhibit physical energy and stamina, emotional availability and professional enthusiasm, the children in their care have a greater opportunity to thrive. Children express their imitative tendencies through their play as they often ‘play out’ people, places and behaviours. What has been impressed in the child, is expressed through play.

Stephen Spitalny says that children learn and imitate the traits of their educators and that this influences their behavioural patterns. Tone of voice, physical gestures and quality of presence are reflections of our inner mood and influence the environment we inhabit. Children absorb their surroundings through all their senses so it is important to reflect on how we are contributing to their responses.

Some reflections on ways to promote your own physical wellbeing:

• Find a form of physical exercise that you enjoy – running or walking, team sport, yoga or pilates, dance.
• Eat according to your body’s composition – perhaps gain advice from a naturopath or nutritionist.
• Make sure to get enough sleep each night, between 6-9 hours.
• Reflect on how much energy you need and where you need to place more/less of it.

Burnout

If the wellbeing of educators is compromised, almost every aspect of their role cannot be fulfilled.

The early childhood sector has one of the highest turnover rates amongst other professions and this is due to a number of factors that include (but are not limited to), time pressures, managing children’s needs with personal needs, collaborating with parents, maintaining classroom practices and meeting policy requirements. Being an early childhood educator can be extremely challenging, overwhelming and exhausting. It is important to foster a collective valuing of wellbeing in your service by acknowledging and supporting the different wellbeing requirements of your fellow educators. This will create a stronger and more supportive team dynamic and ultimately, lessen or even prevent the chance of burning out.

Some educators that were interviewed as part of the Early Childhood Education and Care Wellbeing Project reported feeling “guilty” for taking a break! It is important that we encourage each other to take the time to honour our own wellbeing needs so that we have to energy to keep giving.

Some ideas for mental/emotional wellbeing:

• Prioritise a minimum of 10 minutes each day to meditate, reflect or just have quiet time.
• Engage in enjoyable leisure activities.
• Go for a stroll in nature.
• Spend time with friends and family who promote a sense of belonging for you.

Purpose and Passion