New Year, New Me: The Season of YOU in Early Childhood Education

Anisha Grossett • January 5, 2026

Every January, we make promises.

To eat better. To plan more. To do more.

But this year, I want to invite you to make a different kind of promise — one that centers you.

Because before you can nurture others, you must nurture yourself. And as early childhood educators, you are the heartbeat of the classroom. You are the tool, the connection, the comfort, and the calm that every child looks to. Your well-being, your energy, your spark — these are the most powerful instruments you bring into your work each day.

So what if this was the year you decided to refill your own cup first?


The Power of Choosing You

Let’s be honest — our field often runs on empty cups.


We give endlessly: to our children, to families, to our teams. We plan, we observe, we mentor, we show up again and again with love and patience. But too often, we forget that the same compassion we give outwardly must also be directed inward.

Choosing yourself isn’t selfish — it’s sustainable.


When you take time to rest, reflect, and recharge, you’re actually becoming a better educator. You respond with empathy instead of exhaustion. You lead with creativity instead of burnout. You rediscover the why behind what you do.


What Happens When You Choose You

When you choose yourself, the effects ripple outward — far beyond what you may realize.


For you:

You regain your clarity. You start to move with purpose again instead of surviving day to day. You wake up with a little more joy and a little less resentment. You start to see your work as meaningful again — not just something to get through.


For the people around you:

When you’re filled up, you have more to give — but from a place of abundance, not depletion. Children sense your calm and respond with security. Your team feels your energy and becomes more connected. Families notice the difference in the way you communicate.


For the field:

Every time an educator chooses wellness, the early childhood profession grows stronger. You’re modeling boundaries, self-respect, and sustainable leadership — showing others that this field doesn’t have to run on burnout. You’re quietly shifting the culture of early education toward one where wellness and professionalism coexist.


What “Choosing You” Might Look Like

Choosing you doesn’t have to be grand gestures — it’s about the quiet, consistent acts that remind you that you matter.


Here are a few examples:

  1. Saying no to that extra shift so you can attend your yoga class or simply rest.
  2. Taking your full lunch break — away from your classroom — and actually eating.
  3. Setting a “no email after 6 p.m.” rule for yourself.
  4. Asking for support when you need it, without guilt or apology.
  5. Joining a professional community that fills you with encouragement instead of comparison.
  6. Scheduling therapy, coaching, or mentorship because you know personal growth fuels professional growth.


Choosing you is choosing longevity in a field that needs your light for the long haul.


A Pep Talk for When Choosing You Feels Hard

Let’s be real — choosing yourself isn’t always easy.


Sometimes it feels uncomfortable. Sometimes guilt creeps in. You might even hear that little voice saying, “But who will take care of everything if I don’t?”


Here’s the truth:

The world won’t fall apart if you pause.


The children will still thrive.


The program will still run.


And you will come back more grounded, more focused, and more yourself.


You deserve the same grace you give to everyone else. You don’t have to earn rest or permission to recharge.


This isn’t about neglecting your responsibilities — it’s about acknowledging your humanity.


So when you feel that pull of guilt, remind yourself:

“When I take care of me, I take care of everything I touch.”


That’s not selfish — that’s wise.


Small Ways to Choose You This Year

Here are a few intentional ways to make 2026 the Season of You:


Start your day with you.

Before checking your messages or prepping the classroom, take five quiet minutes for yourself — breathe, stretch, journal, or sip your coffee in silence.


Set one boundary and stick to it.

Whether it’s logging off on time, saying “no” to extra shifts, or keeping your weekends sacred, boundaries create space for your own growth.


Schedule joy, not just tasks.

Treat self-care like a meeting — something non-negotiable. Add it to your planner. Protect it fiercely.


Find your professional tribe.

Surround yourself with people who refill your energy and remind you of your greatness. (Hint: The ECC community is a great place to start.)


Reflect and celebrate often.

You’re doing incredible work — pause to notice it. Celebrate small wins, both personal and professional.


Self-Reflection: Your Season of You

Grab a notebook or your ECC workbook, and take a few minutes with these reflection prompts:


  1. What does “choosing me” look like this year?
  2. What is one thing I can release that no longer serves me in my work or my life?
  3. How can I create a classroom rhythm that reflects the calm I want to feel inside?
  4. When was the last time I felt truly fulfilled as an educator — and what contributed to that moment?
  5. How will I honor my own growth this year?


We’re Here as You Choose You

As you step into this new year, remember: you don’t have to pour from an empty cup. The Early Childhood Coach is here to support you in this season of renewal — whether through our events, workshops, or community gatherings, we’re walking beside you as you grow, lead, and thrive.


Because when you choose you — everyone around you benefits.


Here’s to a year of peace, purpose, and possibility.


Here’s to you.

July in ECE: Reset, Reflect & Reignite Your Passion

By Anisha Grossett • June 22, 2026
Why Summer Is the Perfect Time for Early Childhood Educators to Reconnect With Themselves July often brings a shift in energy within the world of early childhood education. For some educators, it means summer programming, outdoor adventures, and changing routines. For others, it brings a slower season, time off, planning for September, or moments to finally pause after months of pouring into others. But no matter what July looks like for you, one thing remains true: ECE professionals deserve time to reset too. In a field centered around nurturing children, supporting families, and leading learning experiences, educators can easily forget to nurture themselves in the process. July is the perfect opportunity to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the passion that brought you into this field in the first place.

Risky Play the Right Way

By Anisha Grossett • May 29, 2026
Move over trips and falls and organized sports, we have a new injury inducer in town for our children and it’s starting to raise some heated debates. When we look at what’s happening with the injuries we see with children today, it’s not the same from when I was a child. I was falling out of trees, cuts and scrapes on knees and elbows from going too fast around a corner or down a hill on my bike. I was learning physics in the hands-on experiential way, so that when I was a 16 year old driving my dad’s pickup truck, I was already familiar with sliding tires and changing road conditions. I took the lessons I learned going over the handlebars and the feelings of losing control and used them to become more aware and resilient during stressful situations as I grew older into adulthood. I recently read an article online talking about emergency room injuries with children in British Columbia and the number one culprit on the list comes from E-scooter accidents. I definitely have my opinions on these scooters, but we’re not gonna dive into that one today. I want to tell you how easily these injuries can be prevented with a little bit of background education, situational awareness, and some foundational motor development. A lot of these children likely missed the opportunity of learning how to ride a bike properly, they don’t have the vestibular development and appropriate proprioceptive skills to get their balance and their coordination correctly on a scooter. If they never learned the mechanics of how to ride a bike, then how do they know that when they go around that sharp turn and hit a little bit of loose gravel that the back end might slide out a little bit. These foundational fine and gross motor skills are imperative for children to use these conveyances safely, not to mention the spatial awareness needed to navigate the world around them while travelling at high speeds. Parents often send their children out on these scooters without helmets, further exacerbating the risk level. Scooters pose a much higher risk than a traditional bike because you don't need to invest the same amount of time learning to “ride” it. The physics and mechanical lessons I learned as a child are often missed in this day and age and it’s showing up in our emergency rooms across the country.