Finding

Joy

EARLY CHILDHOOD CALENDAR

12 Months of Tips for Promoting Positivity, Reducing Stress, and Avoiding Burnout

Explore the books featured in this calendar!

KINDNESS QUICK STARTERS

2025

01

Adapted from The Social-Emotional Learning Toolbox by Kathy Perez

• Laugh at children's jokes. Take time to listen to their stories.
• Compliment children for a specific accomplishment.
• Have children decorate a thank you poster for program staff.
• Publicly acknowledge every kindness you witness during the day.

Take 20 minutes for yourself every day

What these 20 minutes look like will be completely up to you and may differ day to day. Use this time to

Adapted from Pause and Reflect by Dana C. Childress

Watch this webinar with Anne to learn how to give your classroom a joy infusion through singing and signing!

Webinar Link

2025

04APRIL

Use familiar items to transform the way children perceive and interact with food. For example, use a toothpick to pick up small fruit pieces or a cup as a cookie cutter.

• Keep in mind the diverse backgrounds of families! The perception of play in mealtime experiences can vary based on cultural and personal values and histories.

Use humor

2025

05 MAY

For preschoolers, challenge yourself to bring the worlds of humor and learning together. For example, if a few children have been giggling about "bathroom words," is there a way to turn their fascination into an opportunity to practice skills in science, math, and writing?

Invite toddlers to be silly with you when you want them to gather in one place, when they need to wait with you, or when it's time to pick up toys. When you're tempted to issue a command, pause and think, "Is there a way I can use humor to motivate them instead?"

2025

06

Finding joy is tough when you're stressed and overextended. As summer starts, take time to examine your work and life activities and consider whether you've been striking a good balance this year. Download this exercise from the new edition of Tackling the Tough Stuff to reflect on aspects of your work-life balance and pinpoint areas that might need adjusting.

Let go of the things that hold you back

2025

07JULY

Think about the things you're doing right now that are positive and life affirming—like helping children learn and grow.

• PERFECTIONISM. Forgive yourself when things go wrong. Remind yourself that all lives are made of difficult days, wonderful days, and in-between days.

AVOID SCREENS BEFORE BED.

Try reading or meditation instead.

ENGAGE IN MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

Movement during the day can help with falling asleep at bedtime.

SUBTRACT THE stress FROM TRANSITIONS

Transitions are one area that can introduce stress during your day. Here are some tips to use when one or more children find transitions tough:

• Make a picture schedule. Have the child turn over the card after each activity is finished.

BREATHE — MOVE — LEARN WITH CHILDREN

2025

10OCTOBER

Take a few minutes every day to support mindfulness, social-emotional development and readiness for learning. Breathe—Move—Learn With Young Children, Marcia Lee Unnever's unique collection of 70 quick activities will help kids wake up, calm down focus, and soothe anxious feelings in a minute a day—and the activities are a great pick-me-up for you, too!

Download some sample activities here:

Sample Activities Link

Take time for gratitude—and model it

Whether it's a family dinner or snack time in a classroom setting, meals provide a great opportunity to share joy and kindness along with good food. During mealtime, have each child in your class or each family member say something kind or give thanks to another person at the table. You can talk about the word appreciation and give an example:

Honor diversity to help every child feel safe and welcome

Adapted from Coaching for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging in Early Childhood, by Anni K. Reinking & Laycee Thigpen

12DECEMBER

Avoid lesson plans focused on one specific holiday and its associated imagery (Elf on the Shelf, Santa, Christmas trees).

2025

12