Educating Young Children Volume 1 - Summer 2025 | Page 43

Grounding techniques are simple and easy to use anywhere. They’ re also helpful for children, who often feel stress and anxiety. Besides helping educators, 5-4-3-2-1 and butterfly tapping are great techniques to introduce to help children regulate their feelings.

— Zamora Logan, facilities director of Defense Logistics Agency Richmond, Richmond, Virginia

Building and nurturing a professional community can help early childhood educators find support and become more confident in who they are.

For years, I worked as a preschool director and pre-K teacher. While I loved the program and enjoyed the people I worked with, I was in a very small setting and often felt isolated. In response, I began building my network: I attended events, seminars, retreats, and workshops. I joined professional organizations and applied to serve on NAEYC’ s Advisory Council. I joined the board of my NAEYC Affiliate.

These actions helped me grow professionally. I learned a lot about teaching and being an administrator. I met like-minded people I might not have otherwise, many of whom have become friends.

A great way to start building your professional community is by joining your NAEYC Affiliate. Affiliates often host events where you can network and meet other early childhood educators.( Find out more at NAEYC. org / getinvolved / membership / affiliates / network.) You can also tap one of NAEYC’ s Interest Forums to find colleagues who share your background or enthusiasm for a particular topic or teaching approach. In addition, library bulletin boards, local publications and newsletters, and community fairs