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.

Back to School Starts with You: Preparing Yourself for a New School Year as an ECE

By Anisha Grossett • August 19, 2026
As summer winds down and a new program year approaches, many early childhood educators find themselves making lists, reorganizing materials, labeling bins, and preparing for a new group of students. Don’t get me wrong, all these things are important. They create an environment where children can thrive. But before your students come through the door, it’s worth checking in with yourself. How are you preparing yourself? Remember, it’s a new program year for you too. Yes, preparing the classroom space and materials are important, but you’re just as important to your students’ learning. The relationships we build, the way we respond, and the curiosity we bring shape children’s experience every day. So, let’s invest time in preparing our mindset, intentions and well-being. Reflect Before You Reset: Every new year offers a fresh opportunity to reflect on the previous one. Ask yourself: What brought me the most joy last year? What challenges did I face? What would I like to do differently? Which routines supported children well, and which could be improved? How did I grow as an educator? Reflection isn’t about dwelling on mistakes. It’s about recognizing what you’ve learning and carrying those lessons forward. Small adjustments can still have a big impact. Reconnect with Your “Why” When schedules become busy and paperwork piles up, it’s easy to slip into simply getting through each day. Before the pace picks up, take a moment to reconnect with the reason you chose this profession. This is a grounding exercise and there’s a reason we talk about it often. Perhaps it’s witnessing a child’s excitement when they solve a problem, or it’s supporting families through important milestones, or creating a place where every child feels they belong. Keeping your purpose at the forefront can help guide decisions through the year and provide perspective during more challenging moments. Prepare for Relationships, Not Just Routines The children in your care won’t remember perfectly organized shelves, but they will remember how they felt in your care. The first few weeks are about much more than learning routines. They’re about building trust. So, let’s be intentional. After all, relationships are the foundation of any learning environment. Think about how you will: Welcome families into your program Help children feel safe and connected Create opportunities for every child to experience success Leave Space for Flexibility It’s natural to want to be organized and prepared before the first day. But don’t forget that some of the most meaningful learning experiences happen when we follow children’s curiosity rather than our own agenda. A well-prepared educator is also a flexible educator. Leave room in your plans for unexpected discoveries, spontaneous conversations, and the interests children bring with them. These moments often become the most memorable because you’ve followed the children’s lead. Check In with Yourself The beginning of a new year or having a new group of students often comes with excitement – but it can also bring pressure. As you care for the children, remember to care for yourself. Are you setting realistic expectations? Do you need to have more recovery time the first few weeks of a new routine? What boundaries will help you maintain balance? Reflection on what helps support your personal well-being. Make a list of people you can turn to when you need support, either in the classroom or out of it. Embrace a Learning Mindset Children aren’t the only learners in the classroom. Every new group of students, every family, and every experience is an opportunity for growth professionally. Rather than striving for perfection or the appearance of perfection, make curiosity the priority. A Fresh Start for Everyone The carefully prepared learning environment is important but so is your warmth, your responsiveness, your patience and your willingness to learn alongside the children in your care. This is what truly creates a place where children can thrive. So, before you organize one more bin in the art cabinet or make another label, take a moment to prepare the most important part of your classroom – you. The year ahead won’t be perfect, and it doesn’t need to be. It simply needs an educator who is reflective, present and ready to build meaningful relationships one day, one child, one family at a time. Here’s to a year filled with curiosity, connection, growth and joy – for both the children in your care and for you. We’ll be rooting for you!

The Difference Between Good Intentions and Impact

By Anisha Grossett • July 29, 2026
As Early Childhood Educators, we enter our classrooms with hearts full of good intentions. We want every child to feel safe, valued, respected, and included. And that matters. Good intentions are often what bring us to this profession. But in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work, there is an important truth we must embrace: Good intentions do not always lead to positive impact. This does not mean our intentions don't matter. They absolutely do! The research on implicit bias reminds us that even well-intentioned educators can unknowingly make decisions influenced by unconscious assumptions rather than their conscious values. In other words, we can genuinely care about children and families while still unintentionally causing harm (Safir, 2016; Staats, 2015). The goal isn't perfection. The goal is critical reflection. To truly support the children, families, and communities in our care, we must move beyond simply meaning well and intentionally pair our good intentions with reflection, awareness, presence, and action. Understanding Unintentional Harm Most moments of unintentional harm are not rooted in malice. They are often rooted in habit, assumptions, tradition, or simply not knowing what we don't know. Unintentional harm can show up in many ways. Below are three examples educators may encounter in their everyday practice. The definitions are informed by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion's (CCDI) Glossary of DEIA Terms , an excellent resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of inclusive language and practice.