Taking Care of Ourselves First

Ann McClain Terrell, President of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), recently posted a statement on NAEYC’s website called “Taking Care of Ourselves First.” Here is an excerpt from that statement:

“Our field is charged with the protection and nurturing of our youngest souls. And when the nation is in the midst of a crisis, we are called upon even more to steady small boats in overwhelming seas. I was reminded recently of the advice we receive when flying:

In case of an emergency, air masks will drop from the ceiling. If you are traveling with a minor, please put on your own mask before helping the minor.

In her recently published book Happiness is Running Through the Streets to Find You: Translating Trauma’s Harsh Legacy into Healing, Holly Elissa Bruno writes, ‘Trauma is boot camp for our own brand of intelligence, if not wisdom. Only when we are truly heard can we speak. Only when we speak can we believe ourselves. Only then, feeling safer from the threat of annihilation can we climb out of our cover story.’

The practices of self-reflection and self-care are critical in these times to ensure that we can be healthy and whole in our service to those who need us. Let us heal our trauma first so we can help others through their own healing and learning. Let’s put on our own masks first.

Best, Ann” 

Source: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/jul2020/from-our-president

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