Staying present and open to magical moments
In the Early Childhood sector our National Quality Standards have Seven Quality Areas that require implementation and documentation, and constant reflection and review. We have workplace health and safety, educational programs, our physical environment, relationships with children, families and the broader community to consider and foster. Along with governance and leadership guidelines, and food standards to implement. A lot goes into making an early childhood service run and run well. It’s something we enjoy, and endeavour to do better year on year.
But amidst all the admin, emails, spreadsheets, PDFs, Canva displays, plus art and sensory opportunities, sleep checks and nappy changes, are small, blink and you miss them moments of why we do what we do.
Watching our Kittens’ faces light up as they try new foods. Celebrating an Owlets triumph as they master new vocabulary, leading to clearer communication and greater connection. Guiding the Red Pussycats small hands and wide eyes in sensory play. Marvelling as our Blues engage in collaborative or risky play. Or pausing at how time has flown as our Owls graduate – autonomous and capable – proudly ready for big school.
These small important milestones can so often be missed when mundane and immediate everyday tasks takeover. In our Owl and The Pussycat Preschool staff WhatsApp recently, our Warriewood Director, Jaime, reflected on an important moment of collaborative risky play she’d observed in the yard with our four- to five-year-olds. One child over recent days had been growing in confidence jumping from the climbing frame back to the ground. On this particular morning, he invited a friend who was cautious but curious to join in. Before long, half a dozen children had each joined in the fun, each bringing their own unique twist to the jump. Some were ninjas, some spun, some jumped in unison and others slid down the slide racing one another. Jaime wrote, in this simple moment “each child had the freedom to lean into their curiosity and learn how their bodies moved and reacted. They were all figuring out their own limitations in their own way. Our days can be long, busy and stressful with the children but it’s so great to stay present and open to catch these magical moments”.
It can be the same at home. Open and present is the goal.
Being alert, and mindful of the magical moments around each corner. Even if it temporarily takes you away from the immediate – of dinner, dishes, emails, texts or to-dos – recognising the treasure, processing it and storing the memory will solidify the important in our children’s lives.
Savouring the present. Playing that extra game of Jenga, giving them a few more moments in the bath, lingering over cuddles before bed.
Staying open. Embracing and allowing them to wear dress-ups to the shops, then delighting together in all the passing smiles and compliments they receive. Playing their favourite song louder than you may like and joining in the living room dance party. Bringing home that “special” rock or stick they found at the park and giving it pride of place on the mantle.
We won’t always get it right, and dinner won’t make itself, but when we can – as educators and parents – lets pause and be sure to stay present and open, to create and catch the magical moments. They are there for the taking.
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