Supporting Kids Starts with Supporting Yourself: Quick Stress Check Guide
As adults caring for children, recognizing our own stress signals is crucial for providing quality support.
Here are three key ways to identify and manage stress before it affects your interactions with kids:
Watch for Physical Signs
How to notice it: When your shoulders tense, jaw clenches, or breathing becomes shallow, your body is signaling overwhelm.
What to do: Take a "body scan break" - close your eyes for 30 seconds and mentally check in with each part of your body from head to toe. This quick assessment helps identify where you're holding tension.
Notice Emotional Reactions
How to notice it: If small things trigger big feelings, like getting unusually frustrated over spilled milk or a messy room, you're likely stressed.
What to do: Step away briefly if possible. Try the "5-5-5 method": breathe in for 5 counts, hold for 5, release for 5.
Track Your Bandwidth
How to notice it: When simple decisions feel overwhelming or you find yourself saying "not now" frequently to children, your emotional reserves are low.
What to do: Recharge by taking a 2-minute quiet break - even if it means putting on a short video for the kids. Use this time to drink water, stretch, or simply sit quietly.
Then, connect with a community to support one another and take collective action against systemic issues!
Want to learn more about how AutoEnroll supports essential early childhood educators? Schedule a consult today.