Here is your December EYMPD newsletter that I hope finds you healthy, happy, and looking forward to the holiday season.
I had taken extra time pondering over the topic of this month’s edition. I had chosen one awhile ago, however I realized that since we focused on the subject of trauma in November, it would be healthy to talk about growth, albeit post traumatic growth, in this edition. Moreover, as much negative can be said about 2020; one thing is certain, 2020 provided much space for growth, and it seems fit to end this year recognizing that, and perhaps being even a bit grateful for it. I hope you find this topic of interest.
Whether you are or are not celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, Solstice, Kwanzaa or any other holiday in December, please accept my most sincere, heartfelt wishes of happiness, joy, health and genuine human connection. As Tibetan Buddhist Prayer goes: “May you be at peace, may your heart remain open. May you awaken to the light of your own true nature. May you be healed. May you be a source of healing for all beings.”
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For those of you who during the holiday season, may find themselves wanting to turn to healthier alternatives of that “something sweet”, I am including this recipe, it is delicious and can compete with any dessert!
Stay in touch,
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Kasia Oxley, Children’s Services Community Facilitator, Children’s Programs and Services
Work Cell: (705) 644-1533
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Please note that the information contained in this newsletter is intended to encourage conversation and self-reflection and is not to be considered as advice. |
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Helping People Move from Trauma to Growth
Time commitment: 24 minutes, 20 seconds
Areas of interest: relationships with others, a great appreciation of life, new priorities, possibilities, opportunities, spiritual/existential change, sense of personal strength
Format: podcast interview
Richard Tedeschi, a psychology professor and distinguished chair of the Boulder Crest Institute, says that crises like the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic fallout as well as the recent racial violence and social unrest in the United States, can yield not just negative but also positive outcomes for individuals, teams, companies, industries, communities and nations. He has spent decades studying this phenomenon of post-traumatic growth and identified strategies for achieving it as well as the benefits that can accrue, from better relationships to the discovery of new opportunities. Tedeschi is the author of the HBR article “ Growth After Trauma.”
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What Trauma Taught Me About Resilience | Charles Hunt | TEDxCharlotte
Time commitment: 14 minutes, 21 seconds
Areas of interest: resiliency, adverse childhood experiences
Format: video
“It is ok to acknowledge that I was a victim, but refuse to own being a victim. Do you get that subtle distinction between past and present? That gives us power.”
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If it doesn’t break you, does it make you stronger?
Another mention worthy video featuring Dr. Tedeschi.
Time commitment: 26 minutes, 32 seconds
Areas of interest: post-traumatic growth
Format: video
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Normalizing the Need to Rest and Retreat
Time commitment: 47 minutes, 5 seconds
Areas of interest: self-care, autism spectrum, self-acceptance
Format: podcast interview
In Katherine May’s newest book, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, she explores how we relate to the painful periods in our lives—and what we can gain from normalizing the need to rest and tend to our wounds. In her conversation with host Elise Loehnen, May says that one reason many of us feel ashamed about our dark periods is because we’re taught to look down on other people’s misfortunes. This in turn makes it difficult to respect our own pain. May shares what changed for her when she allowed herself to see sadness as a need and not something to run from. For example, it helped her stop feeling addicted to productivity and busyness and begin to let go of the need to control everything. “We have got to stop feeling responsible for controlling our lives because that attempt is devastating us,” she says. “And it’s a lie—we just cannot do it.”
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Please write to Kasia to let her know your thoughts on growth for a chance to win a resource of your choice
(value of up to $50.00)
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Here is a reflection on trauma submitted by Stephanie Turner, a local RECE. Thank you Stephanie!
I recently took part in an online webinar on Trauma and Young Children and I have a few takeaways from it that I would love to share. I would also like to add that a lot of early childhood professionals in our community do these and do them so well already, I have seen it when out in the programs and just want to recognize it.
Early Childhood professionals can support children by promoting five pillars of recovery from trauma:
1. Sense of safety - a sense of normality can be achieved through re-establishing predictable and familiar structures and routines so children know what to expect.
2. Sense of calming - ensuring regular and frequent opportunities for children to talk about, share and process their thoughts, feelings and experiences in safe and supportive environments with familiar and caring adults.
3. Sense of self and community-efficacy - Giving children, parents and staff a sense of
participation by motivating them and giving them confidence to engage.
4. Sense of connectedness – re-establishing and encouraging a sense of belonging to the center.
5. Sense of hope – Helping children to reflect on the positive changes that have come about as a result of this crisis (perhaps for them as individuals, but also for their families, communities, the country and the world as a whole) can be a powerful antidote to the seemingly constant stream of bad news within the media.
I also appreciate this quote: “Children are remarkably resilient and do the best they can with what they have been given. It is our job to provide them with the tools they need and to guide them as they grow. It may be a slow process with many setbacks, but the rewards are worth the effort.”
I would also like to share a Professional Quality of Life Scale specifically in regards to Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue for educators. It was an eye opener for me when I completed and reflected on it. |
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EARLY YEARS PROFESSIONALS IN MUSKOKA |
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What is your current job, and how did you arrive at it, in other words why do you do what you do?
I am currently an approved home child care provider with the MHCCA which is licensed by the Ministry of Education, and have been in this occupation (minus the closure due to the pandemic) since July of 2017. Having not taken any parental leave with my first two children, I elected to take five or six months off to care for my son while my partner returned to her career. When my son’s promised daycare spot disappeared with the provider’s closure, I decided to fill in the gap, so to speak; I even “inherited” a few of her clients. I reopened this past summer because I truly enjoy the group I have right now - they’re my favourite bunch yet.
Without disclosing confidential information, please tell me about how your involvement within the early years profession created a better outcome for a child/family?
I once cared for a child whose home life rapidly imploded with very few warning signs. I was later told that having my home as a place of stability allowed the transition to the sudden new guardian (and later, to school) go more smoothly, all things considered.
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What’s most challenging about the work you do?
I think a year ago my answer to this question would have been a very different one. But in the Covid era, the most challenging thing I can think of is trying to find the time for all of the important aspects of a rewarding child care program. Between cooking, cleaning, and disinfecting, the time devoted to art, science, and learning has shrunk a lot more than I would have liked. While many of these things can be found during outside time, there are some things that can only be done inside that I just don’t have time for any longer.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
For the past three and a half months, our spare time has mostly been devoted to building a chicken coop; but with that finished, I can go back to playing video games….
I also enjoy camping, hiking, and creating in the kitchen.
What book/resource could you recommend to our readers?
The resource that comes to mind and my program is the one I use the most with the children: the Lone Pine series of nature books (specifically Animal Tracks of Ontario, Bugs of Ontario, Mammals of Ontario, and Birds of Ontario). I have a very inquisitive bunch who love to be outside, and we have seen some pretty amazing creatures on our adventures around Huntsville. Continuing on that theme, the iNaturalist and Seek apps for the smartphone are pretty helpful for identifying things “out in the field.”
What's your favorite quote?
"For man, the vast marvel is to be alive. For man, as for flower and beast and bird, the supreme triumph is to be most vividly, most perfectly alive."
D.H. Lawrence
Which famous person would you like to have lunch with and why?
I think I would have to say Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She is, to me, the most inspiring politician since Jack Layton.
In the last couple of years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
For me, moving from a five-day work week to a four day week has improved my mental health and family life more than any single other thing I can think of. It is well worth the financial cost.
Anything else you would like to share?
I like to believe that while we all struggle through the Covid-19 pandemic in whatever ways we can, it will teach our youngest to be resilient and resolute, and more equipped to face the challenges of their lifetime.
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“But you are the average of the five people you associate with most, so do not underestimate the effects of your pessimistic, unambitious, or disorganized friends. If someone isn't making you stronger, they're making you weaker.”
― Timothy Ferriss
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“Change is inevitable, growth is optional” – John Maxwell |
“The comfort zone is a beautiful place to be, but nothing ever grows there.” – Gina Milicia |
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Agencies Providing Services for Children and Families in Muskoka |
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Hands The Family Help Network |
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Hands offers a variety of services for children & youth and their families.
Prenatal services are offered by the Great Beginnings Programs, which are currently offered online. The Great Beginnings - Prenatal Nutrition Program and Growing Up Programs offer pregnant women and parents of young children social support, education, nutrition supports and much more. Weekly online sessions include education by a community professional, virtual social gatherings, as well as online community kitchens with meal kits. For more information or to register, please contact a Hands office or find us on Facebook- Great Beginnings.
The Infant & Child Development Program provides individualized assessment and intervention for infants and children, 0-school entry who are experiencing developmental risk, delays or disabilities. The program supports children and families with a unique understanding of their child’s development. Individualized strategies and activities are provided through parent coaching and are aligned with the family’s routines and interests. Access is through a self or third party referral to Hands.
Developmental Services for Children is a specialized behaviour program for children and youth, 0-18 years who have a developmental disability (other than Autism). Services are provided using Applied Behaviour Analysis and target both the reduction of challenging behaviour and the development of new skills. Access is through a self or third party referral to Hands.
Hands’ Autism Services are available to all children, youth and families with an Autism diagnosis. They offer a flexible, broad range of evidence-based services to support families and children. Autism Services Now Available include: Behaviour Assessment and Consultation, Clinical Service Coordination, Caregiver Coaching and Training, Evidence-Based Behaviour Intervention, Life Skills and Independence Building, Speech-Language Services, Social Skill Programs, Employment Supports, Transition to Adulthood Programs, and Camp-Based Programs. Hands also offers weekly free Virtual Autism Consultations every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is now accepting new clients for services.
You can register for services with Hands’ Family Service Workers at 1.800.668.8555 ext. 1333 or autism@handstfhn.ca. |
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For a chance to win a resource of your choice (value of up to $50.00), please submit a reflection of yours to Kasia on a topic of your choice that you would like to be considered for publication in one of the upcoming newsletter editions.
Your submission does not have to be in a form of an essay, other forms of expression are welcome, such as: poetry, video footage, note, opinion piece, interview, photos accompanied by a short text, review, etc.
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