Educating Young Children Volume 1 - Summer 2025 | Page 30

When we practice self-kindness rather than self-judgment, we treat ourselves with understanding instead of harsh criticism. Consider Ms. Sarah: Instead of saying,“ I’ m not cut out for this,” she could have said something like“ This is a challenging situation that didn’ t go as I’ d planned. I’ m human, and I’ m learning.”

Practicing common humanity instead of isolation involves recognizing that everyone is imperfect and goes through struggles. This is part of the human experience, and it helps us feel more connected to others. If Ms. Sarah had practiced common humanity instead of treating herself as the only teacher trying to respond to challenging behaviors, she might have reminded herself that even the best teachers have days that don’ t go as planned.

Finally, practicing mindfulness instead of over-identification involves noticing and acknowledging our thoughts and feelings without letting them overwhelm us. Ms. Sarah could have taken a moment to notice her breathing and the physical sensations in her body. She could have told herself,“ I notice I’ m feeling overwhelmed. This is a feeling that will pass.”

There are several misconceptions about self-compassion. For example, some people view it as synonymous with self-pity or self-indulgence. However, self-compassion isn’ t about making excuses or feeling sorry for ourselves, and it doesn’ t mean we ignore areas for growth. Instead, self-compassion helps us be honest about our weaknesses, accept that we are facing challenges, and respond to ourselves with kindness rather than harsh self-criticism as we seek to improve.