Why do we tell infants, "You're ok" when they are crying? Behavior and crying are how nonverbal children communicate. A crying child is communicating. I feel that many infant caregivers are speaking to themselves when they respond, "you're ok" to a crying child. I get it, taking care of infants can be overwhelming at times, especially with multiple children. But it is never ok to dismiss a child's emotions or need. Perhaps the overwhelmed infant caregiver could say "I'm ok" instead. Pause, breathe, and say "I'm ok." Teachers and parents, you are ok! You are doing your very best. I see you. I hear you. I am you. I see this topic evolving into a workshop. Stay tuned

Earthing – Walk Barefoot for Better Health Many holistic health practices are readily available. Earthing is one of these practices. Spending time outdoors has a positive effect on our physical and nervous systems. These benefits can be multiplied by simply taking off our shoes. Barefoot walking outdoors allows the human body to absorb negatively charged electrons that are found on the earth’s surface. The negatively charged electrons then neutralize excess positive charges, also known as free radicals, in the body. Inflammation in the human body is often caused by the presence of free radicals. This explains why earthing practitioners report a reduction in pain levels after walking barefoot outdoors. Other health improvements reported by earthing practitioners include improved sleep, overall better health, improved vitality, better mood. I have always been an outdoorsy person. I am an avid gardener, and I love to walk and meditate in the forest. A few years ago, I started to consciously walk barefoot. I honestly did not enjoy walking barefoot at first. I was worried about insects or stepping into something gross. So, I started by simply standing barefoot on a clean spot in the grass. Surprisingly, I loved the feel of the grass on the soles of my feet. I took a few steps, noticing the different sensations, and my first hesitation vanished. On a physical level, I noticed lessening of joint pain, improved sleep and mood. After noticing the positive effect on my health, I started walking barefoot as much as possible. I do this mostly in my yard, at the beach, or at the park. I also walk barefoot indoors and use a grounding sheet while I sleep. Of course, barefoot walking is not always practical, especially during cold weather. There are a variety of products available to make 24 hours earthing possible. One choice is earthing shoes. Earthing shoes are made from natural materials. They feature a thin sole. Alternatively, they can be a synthetic thin-soled shoe with a grounding plug. Grounding plugs are also available for buying for DIY earthing shoes. Note, that you can only install a grounding plug to thin soled shoes. Another choice to all day grounding are grounding mats and grounding sheets. A grounding mat is to place your bare feet onto. A grounding sheet is placed on your bed. Both the mat and the sheet are plugged into the grounding pole of an electrical outlet. Alternatively, they are connected to the earth with a copper stake.

Staying calm in a busy infant classroom can be challenging. Infant teachers tend to their students' needs while continuously placing their own needs in the background. Here are some easy to use and relatively quick tools to fill your cup throughout the day: ▪️Practice the pause ▪️Utilize the time spent in the play space with the children as a self-care moment. Sing with the children. The vibration of your voice has a healing effect on the body. Humming works as well. Stretch your body or practice a yoga pose that is safe near children and still allows you to supervise. Breathe intentionally. Breathe in slowly, breathe out even slower. Practice grounding. Feel the ground beneath you. Place your awareness on the parts of your body touching the ground. See roots extending from your body into the ground. Breathe anything that stresses you into the ground through the roots extending from your body. Give yourself a mini massage. Practice tapping. Recite positive affirmations in your mind. ▪️Take the children on a walk or bring your class to the playground. Being outside reduces stress and fills our cup. ▪️Stay hydrated & eat a nutritious snack ▪️Advocate for your needs. Request a mental health break if you need one.

Balanced & Joyful's first infant teacher workshop is now available in Balanced & Joyful Skool Classroom. The Topic is Respectful Transitions in the Infant Classroom. The class discusses major and minor transitions and how to navigate them successfully. Emphasis is placed on awareness of the infant's emotional learning during these transitions. This workshop is available to Premium and VIP members. Check it out! Would love to see you in my classroom.

Don't know what toys to buy for your baby? Keep it simple. Babies don't need an abundance of toys, but a few high-quality toys. Very young infants need high contrast images to gaze at. These could be mobiles, or books placed at eye level. All babies love to gaze at themselves in a mirror. Place a child safe mirror next to baby. Other great toys are - Grasping toys - Teething rings - Fabric toys with different textures - Balls. Textured balls or sensory balls are great - Soft, textured blocks - Board books or fabric books - Rattles - Nesting & stacking toys Keep in mind the vibe that toys create, too. Choose soft, natural colors over bright primary colors. Yes, children usually prefer bright flashy colors, but an abundance of brightly colored toys can be over stimulating for the child and the adult alike. Offer a few toys at a time. This will allow the child ample time to explore without distraction. Too many toys in a play space are overwhelming. It is better to rotate toys occasionally instead of making all toys available. Contact me if you'd like to chat about your baby's play space set up. balancedandjoyful@gmail.com