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!

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.

From Behaviour to Belonging: Reimagining Classroom Design in Early Learning

By Anisha Grossett • May 1, 2026
The classroom is more than a place we work — it is a second home for both educators and the children who spend their days within it. Because of this, how our environment is designed matters deeply. Children are constantly communicating with us through their behaviour, movement, and engagement with the space. When we pause to observe what children’s actions are telling us, the environment shifts from being a pain point to becoming the third teacher. What messages does our classroom environment send to children the moment they enter the space? Listening to children when placing furniture and designing play areas is more than an act of respect — it reflects our belief that children are competent and capable learners. It acknowledges that children are active participants in their learning, not simply occupants of a room. When the environment truly meets children’s needs, we often see calmer bodies, deeper engagement, and more meaningful play. How often do we adjust the environment based on children’s cues rather than adult convenience? So, what areas within a classroom should be considered non-negotiable because they support regulation, development, and a sense of safety?