The Holiday Season: A Time for Rest and Reflection

Anisha Grossett • December 2, 2024

As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of festivities, end-of-year tasks, and planning for the new year. For early childhood educators, this time can be particularly demanding. However, it’s also a crucial opportunity to rest, reflect, and recharge. Taking time to pause and consider the past year not only supports your well-being but also sets the stage for a more intentional and fulfilling year ahead.

Why Rest and Reflection Matter

As educators, you give so much of yourself throughout the year. Your energy, creativity, and dedication are poured into nurturing young minds, supporting families, and fostering a positive learning environment. The holiday season is a perfect time to step back, acknowledge your hard work, and give yourself permission to rest. Rest isn’t just about physical relaxation; it’s about mental and emotional rejuvenation too. Reflecting on your experiences helps you gain insights, celebrate successes, and identify areas for growth.

Tips for Resting and Reflecting During the Holidays


Schedule Downtime:

Just as you would plan lessons or meetings, schedule time in your calendar specifically for rest. Whether it’s a day off to enjoy a quiet morning, a long walk, or simply curling up with a good book, prioritize moments of relaxation.


Practice Mindfulness:

Engage in mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing, or journaling. These activities help you stay present, reduce stress, and create a calm space to reflect on the past year.


Celebrate Your Achievements:

Take time to list out your accomplishments from the year. Reflect on the challenges you overcame, the growth you’ve seen in your students, and the ways you’ve grown as an educator. Celebrating these successes boosts morale and builds confidence.


Reconnect with Your "Why":

Reflect on why you chose to become an early childhood educator. Revisit the moments that reignited your passion, whether it was a child’s breakthrough moment, a parent’s gratitude, or a personal accomplishment. Reconnecting with your purpose can re-energize you for the year ahead.


Set Gentle Intentions for the New Year:

Instead of setting rigid resolutions, consider setting gentle intentions. Focus on how you want to feel and the small steps you can take to support your well-being and professional growth. For instance, you might set an intention to foster more joy in your daily routines or to create a better work-life balance.


Limit Holiday Overcommitments:

It’s tempting to say “yes” to every invitation and holiday event, but overcommitting can lead to burnout. Be selective about your engagements, choosing those that truly bring you joy and connection, and politely decline others.


Engage in Self-Care Rituals:

Create or revisit self-care rituals that nourish your mind and body. This could be anything from taking a warm bath with essential oils, practicing yoga, spending time in nature, or indulging in a creative hobby. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary to be the best version of yourself for your students and loved ones.


Looking Ahead with a Clear Mind

By using the holiday season to rest and reflect, you’re investing in yourself, which in turn benefits your students and your community. A clear, rested mind is more creative, patient, and effective. As you move into the new year, you’ll find yourself better equipped to face challenges, embrace new opportunities, and continue making a positive impact in the lives of young children.


Remember, taking care of yourself is the foundation of being an exceptional educator. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of rest and reflection. You deserve it.


The Early Childhood Coach is here to support you on your journey. Whether you're looking for tips, professional development, or a community of like-minded educators, we’re dedicated to helping you thrive in your career and personal life. Happy Holidays!

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.

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.