Coach's
Column

My third year of coaching with Childcare Resources has come to an end. And what an interesting year it has been! The year started with an exciting week of Conscious Discipline training and ended abruptly by a pandemic that took us all by surprise and changed our world. When I look back and try to sum up the year I keep thinking of the words calm, confident and connected.

We have had some great professional development this year. Conscious Discipline focuses on the importance of connectedness and the need for children to feel safe in order to learn. In many cases you were the safe person a child had to go to during stressful times. Since schools closed many of you have learned new ways to stay connected. Facetime, Zoom, Teams and other forms of technology have been useful in keeping as connected as we can be at this time.

Learning is a lifelong adventure. Gaining knowledge in early math concepts, developmental milestones, and learning new ways to look at the arts to encourage pre-literacy skills helps build the confidence needed to try new things. Confidence in knowing your children’s developmental level and being secure in your ability to move them forward is empowering.

Then there is calmness. Easier said than done! It is hard to be calm when a child or adult is screaming at you. Changing the habit of reacting, to the habit of taking deep breathes and knowing if the person is in their survival, emotional or executive state is difficult. I struggle with this but learn so much each time I see great presenters like Becky Bailey and Kim Hughes.

The world has changed and we were not prepared. It is no one’s fault. There are restrictions, guidelines and genuine concern for the health of those who we come in contact with. No one knows how things will look in the fall. Stepping back and taking in all of the information you can gather and making the best decision for yourself, your family and your business is the best you can do. Being flexible and adapting is critical because everyone is dealing with the unknown. It sounds trite, but you must take care of yourself, calm yourself, and take time for yourself so you can handle the challenges that are coming.

Your job is so important. You are valued and you are needed. Stay confident, calm and connected. I will see you in the fall and look forward to helping you in any way I can.

Wishing you well!

Susan