LITTLE SCHOLARS
Newsletter
Hello Little Scholars Family,
Welcome to another edition of the Little Scholars monthly
Newsletter. My name is Ms. Damilola Adeyemo, a fellow
Early Childhood Educator here in our learning centre.
In this month’s edition of our newsletter, we would like to
focus on three main topics which are:
1. Indigenous health and wellness perspectives as they
relate to both children and educators.
2. Stress and coping for children and educators and
3. Injuries and prevention in the learning environment
If you would like to have more information and resources on
these topics, please feel free to contact me by email at
dadeyem@littlescholars.ca.
Thank you
Indigenous health and wellness perspectives
It is important for us as early childhood educators in Canada to
understand some of the basic teachings of what it means to be healthy
and well from the perspective of the indigenous people. The First Nation’s
beliefs on health and wellness is based on maintaining a balance in our
spiritual, emotional, mental and physical life. It is believed that our
identity is connected to air, fire, water and land and emphasis is laid on the
importance of community, culture and connection to the land, which
significantly influences our well being and that of our students’.
The sweat lodge, ceremonies, medicine wheel and powwow are some of the
traditions that embody these principles, and today, I would like to write
about the importance of powwow to children and educators.
Why is the powwow dance important?
The powwow is a significant custom that promotes our health as
educators, and participating in cultural events like powwows can help
fellow educators who are experiencing high levels of stress, reconnect
with their own spiritual practices and community. Engaging in the powwow
dance provides educators a space to reflect, recharge and connect with
students and colleagues in meaningful ways.
Moreover, the powwow, if incorporated into the classroom, can help to
improve our mental health, and better understand the diverse needs of
our students.
For the children we teach, the powwow traditional dance also plays a
critical role in their health and wellness by promoting emotional, mental
and spiritual balance. Powwow encourages physical activities through
dancing, which benefits children’s physical health. When children are
allowed to participate or attend powwow, they develop a sense of pride in
their cultural identity and also promote community connections which are
essential for improving social skills and enhancing self-esteem.
For helpful resources on this, please click on First Nation Health and
Wellness to explore more.
Stress and coping for children and educators
Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. We all
experience stress in different degrees as it affects both children and early childhood
educator.
In this section, we will explore common stressors for children and ECE’s, how they
may be dealt with and the importance of doing so.
Common stressors for children and suggestions for coping
1. Academic Pressure: Meeting academic expectations can be a stressor for children
as they always love to keep up with their peers. Teaching and encouraging children
to express their feelings would be a great coping strategy.
2. Social Struggles: ranges from separation anxiety during the first month in the day
care to bullying from peers or difficulty making friends can lead to anxiety and
stress in children. Taking deep breaths, coloring, or engaging in mindfulness can
help children manage this kind of stress.
Common stressors for ECE’s and suggestions for coping
1. Heavy Workload: Being an ECE requires a lot of multitasking that involves
administrative, planning, and teaching assignments, which can cause stress.
Effective time management and keeping a daily record of attainable goals will
minimize the feelings of being overwhelmed.
2.Emotional Challenges: It can be extremely difficult to deal with the emotional
demands and behaviors of the children. I would suggest prioritizing self-care and
taking regular breaks for hobbies, physical activities, or even socializing with friends
and family to rejuvenate.
Importance of managing stress
Stress management is crucial for the wellbeing of both children and educators as
prolonged stress can negatively impact relationships, mental health, and cognitive
function. When stress is left unmanaged, it can lead to burnout and job
dissatisfaction for educators, it can also affect children's development and emotional
regulation. Managing stress level would help to support a healthy learning and
teaching environment while protecting the mental and physical well-being of all
participants.
Visit stress management for more information and helpful resources on how to deal
with stress.
Injuries and Prevention
Injuries are physical harm or damages to a child’s body as a result of an accident or an attack.
This usually affect the health of children whenever they occur. In educational settings like
daycare centers and schools, children sustain injuries often and it is our responsibility to
prioritize our students’ safety. To ensure children are safe, it is important to be aware of
potential hazards and dangers in the indoor and outdoor learning environment and take steps
to create a safe environment for all children to play and learn.
Types of injuries to watchout for includes; falls, cuts, bruises, sprains, burns, poisoning,
choking, and drowning.
Prevention Strategies
Schools can help prevent injuries by;
Designing a safe playground and ensuring that the equipment meet safety standards, and
also include soft, impact-absorbing surfaces, like rubber mats, to prevent serious injury
from falls.
Active Supervision during physical activities is key. Teachers and staff should watch for
hazards and intervene quickly to prevent accidents.
Teaching and training children on proper safety habits, such as warming up before exercise
and wearing safety gear during sports can reduce the risk of injuries.
Schools should have a clear emergency response plan, with trained staff in first aid and
CPR, ready access to medical supplies, and protocols for contacting parents and emergency
services when necessary.
In conclusion, while the learning environment is expected to be a place of growth and
exploration, safety must be prioritized. A proactive approach to safety ensures that children
can learn and play without unnecessary harm. Please click on skprevention to read more on
this topic.
References
Hambly K., Muir A. (1997) Stress Management in Primary Care, Butterworth Heinemann
Marion, M., (2019). Guidance of young children: How stress affects children. (pp. 227 - 230).
Library of Congress Cataloging
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute: https://skprevention.ca/safety/injury-prevention/
