Grace Over Grit: Relieving Stress When Working With Small Children

 

Working with small children is one of the most rewarding callings—and also one of the most draining. From temper tantrums to potty training mishaps, it's easy to feel overwhelmed or burned out. As educators, caregivers, and leaders, we must protect our peace while pouring into others.

Here are some faith-led and practical tips for relieving stress when working with little ones—so you can lead with joy, not just survive the day.

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1. Start Your Day with Stillness

Before the chaos begins, spend 5–10 minutes in prayer, journaling, or silence. Ask God for patience and strength. Meditate on a scripture like:

"Be still and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

A quiet start centers your spirit before the day pulls at you from all directions.

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2. Create a Rhythm, Not Just a Routine

Children thrive on predictable environments—but so do you. A rhythm allows for flexibility without pressure. Set time blocks for play, cleanup, meals, and rest, but leave room for grace when things go off track.

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3. Keep a Calm Corner (For You, Too)

We always create calm-down areas for children, but do you have one for yourself? Keep a cozy chair, a diffuser, or a verse card nearby to reset between transitions. Even 60 seconds of deep breathing can shift your entire mindset.

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4. Release the Pressure to Be Perfect

You were never called to be perfect—you were called to be present. Give yourself permission to make mistakes. Show children how to apologize, recover, and try again. That, too, is a lesson in grace.

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5. Reflect and Reset After Work

Instead of carrying stress home, reflect:

• What went well today?

• What can I release and leave behind?

• What do I need to pray over for tomorrow?

This helps you reset, not replay, your day.

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Faith-Filled Affirmation:

"God, I thank You for entrusting me with these little ones. Help me respond with love, lead with peace, and rest in Your grace. I release the pressure to do it all, and I receive Your joy as my strength."

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Helpful YouTube Resource:

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This video offers simple strategies like breathing tools, calm-down kits, and classroom rituals to ease stress in early childhood environments.

 Building Reading Stamina in Middle School with Newsela

Helping middle school students build reading stamina can feel like a challenge, but with the right tools, it’s absolutely achievable! Newsela offers engaging, leveled texts that make reading accessible and enjoyable for students of all abilities. Incorporating Newsela into your classroom encourages students to stay focused on reading longer, improving comprehension and critical thinking.

One effective strategy is pairing Newsela articles, like this one on New ELA Strategies, with additional enrichment assignments. These could include journal reflections, vocabulary exercises, or even group discussions. By blending these activities, you create opportunities for students to dive deeper into the text while sustaining their interest.

Encouraging consistency is key! Dedicate a set time for Newsela readings each day to help students build stamina over time. Whether you’re teaching remotely or in person, this approach ensures every learner has the tools to succeed.

Bringing Creativity to Life with Adobe Photoshop Express!

Boost Your Childcare Business with Technology: A Success Formula

In today’s fast-paced, digital-driven world, the success of your childcare business hinges on your ability to embrace technology and leverage it for growth. Platforms like Adobe Express empower business owners to create stunning, professional content that captures the attention of potential clients and builds trust with your community.

As a childcare business owner, crafting engaging, visually appealing content for social media, newsletters,     and promotional materials is essential. Adobe Express offers customizable templates that allow you to design marketing assets tailored to your brand with ease. Whether you're creating event flyers, enrollment ads, or educational posts, this tool streamlines the process so you can focus on what matters most: nurturing young minds.

By integrating technology like this into your marketing strategy, you not only save time but also amplify your reach. A strong online presence helps connect with parents seeking reliable childcare, showcases your unique services, and establishes your credibility in the industry.

Ready to take the next step? Try my customizable template to start creating your own content today. Your business growth is just a few clicks away!

Pro Tip: Stay consistent with your branding across all platforms to make a lasting impression on your audience. Let technology work for you while you focus on the passion driving your childcare mission

If you’re interested in creating eye-catching visuals, I highly recommend exploring Adobe Express—it's a fantastic tool for designers of all levels.

Exploring Emotions with Storybird: "Moms Have Feelings Too"

 Exploring Emotions with Storybird: "Moms Have Feelings Too"

Hey everyone! Today, I want to share a wonderful resource that has enriched my classroom experience: Storybird. This platform offers a creative way for students to express themselves through storytelling and illustration. One of my favorite picture books on Storybird is Moms Have Feelings Too.

This beautifully illustrated book captures the diverse emotions that mothers experience, reminding both kids and adults that feelings are universal. It’s a fantastic conversation starter for discussing emotions, empathy, and the importance of understanding each other’s feelings.

Using Storybird in my classroom has been a game-changer. It encourages students to create their own stories, helping them develop their writing skills while also sparking their creativity. I highly recommend checking out this book and exploring the platform with your students! Let’s empower our kids to tell their own stories and express their emotions in a fun and engaging way!

Using Pear Deck and Microsoft Teams to Collaborate and Support Students During the Pandemic

Peardeck Interactive Lesson Using Pear Deck and Microsoft Teams to Collaborate and Support Students During the Pandemic

During the 2020 pandemic, teaching at Cullen Middle School in HISD presented new challenges that required creativity and teamwork to overcome. To stay connected and provide meaningful instruction, I began using Pear Deck alongside Microsoft Teams to support my 6th-grade students and collaborate with my team.

Pear Deck was a game-changer for keeping students engaged in a virtual setting. The interactive features allowed me to deliver lessons in real time, see each student’s responses, and adjust on the spot to meet their needs. It became a virtual space where students could interact with content more deeply, even from home.

Alongside Pear Deck, Microsoft Teams made collaboration with my colleagues easy and efficient. We used Teams to share assignment ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and strategize on meeting our students’ educational needs. This partnership was essential, as we could quickly align our goals, share resources, and check in on students who needed extra support.

Combining Pear Deck’s interactive lessons with Teams’ seamless communication helped us create a connected, supportive learning experience for our students during an unprecedented time. Join my interactive lesson by clicking right now Peardeck Interactive Lesson.

Making Learning Fun with Kahoot: Engaging Students through Technology

 Welcome to My Kahoot! Technology Page: Engage, Learn, and Play!

Hey there! If you're looking for a fun, interactive way to boost learning in the classroom or even in a training environment, you've come to the right place. Kahoot! has been a game-changer in my educational toolkit, transforming traditional review sessions into high-energy quizzes that students look forward to. With engaging content and a friendly competitive edge, Kahoot! makes learning feel like play.

 About My Kahoot! Journey

I’ve been using Kahoot! with my 6th-grade students to prepare for exams and reinforce key concepts. Whether we’re practicing for the STAAR test or revisiting challenging topics, Kahoot! has proven to be an exciting way to assess knowledge in real-time. The best part? Students stay engaged, motivated, and—dare I say—excited to participate.

Check out my Kahoot! profile page to see my other quizzes and stay updated on new ones I release!

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Try My First Kahoot Challenge!

Ready to dive in? I’ve created a fun quiz to get you started! Test your knowledge and get a feel for how Kahoot! works. Click below to join my first game and see how you stack up:

Try My Kahoot! Challenge kahoot.it/challenge

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Why Kahoot! Rocks in the Classroom

1. Instant Feedback – Students see right away whether their answer was correct, which makes it great for quick assessments.
2. Competition and Fun – Kahoot! turns learning into a lively experience with its leaderboard feature, creating a fun environment for students to challenge each other.
3. Flexible Content – I can create quizzes tailored to my specific teaching goals, making it easy to target areas students need to improve on.
4. Engagement Boost – I’ve seen firsthand how Kahoot! captivates students’ attention in ways that traditional methods might not.

Join Me on Kahoot!

I’m always working on new quizzes, so if you enjoy my first challenge, follow along on my profile page. Each game I create has a unique twist, ensuring that learning never feels like a chore. Head over to mytoaccess all my quizzes and stay in the loop.

So, are you ready to bring learning to life? Let’s Kahoot

Welcome to Start Smart Studio

Welcome to the Smart Studio! by TONYA DEAN