Strategies for Early Childhood Educators to Prioritize Mental Health in 2026

Teacher mental health refers to the emotional and psychological well-being of educators. Prioritizing it involves setting professional boundaries, seeking community support, reframing negative thought patterns, and engaging in active self-care to prevent burnout and ensure high-quality care for children.

Being an early childhood educator involves significant responsibility. Navigating staffing shortages, feedback from families, licensure compliance, and classroom management often causes stress. Balancing these demands is difficult, but protecting your mental health remains essential for preserving your well-being and the quality of your childcare program.

This guide outlines top strategies to prioritize your mental health, ensuring you can take better care of yourself, the children, families, and your business.

How can educators set healthy boundaries?

Setting boundaries creates a necessary separation between professional responsibilities and personal time, allowing educators to disconnect and recharge. Consistently bringing work home makes it difficult to experience a true break.

• Protect your peace of mind by choosing which personal or professional requests you respond to immediately.
• Establish hard boundaries and stick to them to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Limit news consumption if it negatively impacts your mindset or increases anxiety.
• Charge your phone outside the bedroom to ensure you wake up without immediately seeing social media or work notifications.
• Grant yourself permission to go offline outside of working hours.

Why is community support important for mental health?

Building a supportive community helps educators prioritize mental health by normalizing wellness practices and providing mutual encouragement. When the entire team focuses on wellness, it reduces stress and burnout.

With a tool like brightwheel, administrators can check in with teachers throughout the day directly in the app. You can send quick morning affirmations to the team or message individuals when you notice they need a break.

Encouraging fellow educators to focus on wellness creates a culture of support. Try these community-based strategies:

• Host monthly mental health checks for every employee to identify support needs.
• Join supportive groups in person or online to connect with peers.
• Decompress with coworkers at the end of the day to build relationships outside of work.
• Share positive thoughts with children and staff to foster an encouraging culture.
• Practice mental health exercises like yoga or meditation during staff meetings.
• Conduct walking meetings instead of sitting down for check-ins.
• Assign workplace buddies for peer support.
• Schedule recurring calls with other local directors or educators to share insights.
• Complete a Breathe for Change class to bring mindfulness to your program.
• Talk with a close friend when you feel overwhelmed.
• Practice belly breathing with children and on your own.
• Include jokes or affirmations in daily staff emails.

Childcare Staff Wellness Checklist

A free checklist to promote health and wellness at your childcare program

Get a Free Download

How does reframing thinking reduce stress?

Reframing thinking involves consciously shifting focus from negative worries to positive or neutral facts, which reduces feelings of overwhelm. Your thought patterns heavily influence your mental health.

• Recite a daily affirmation during your commute to establish a positive mindset.
• Separate thoughts from facts when dealing with situations that cause anxiety.
• Wait twenty-four hours before responding to stressful or frustrating messages.
• Practice gratitude by listing three things you appreciate every morning.
• Use perspective-shifting statements when feeling stressed:
  • Nothing is wrong; I am facing a challenge and it will all be okay!

• • I possess the resources to meet this experience.
  • I need to pause and ground myself in this moment, just as it is.

What role do hobbies play in preventing burnout?

Engaging in hobbies provides a necessary distraction from work-related stress and helps educators maintain a sustainable work-life balance. Deliberately scheduling time for enjoyment is crucial for long-term well-being.

• Spend quality time with family and pets.
• Listen to audiobooks or read a compelling book.
• Create art, such as knitting, crocheting, painting, or drawing.
• Bake a treat for yourself.
• Watch comforting content, such as home videos or nature documentaries.
• Complete a puzzle to focus your mind on a single task.
• Cook a nourishing meal from scratch.
• Take a walk to clear your head and enjoy nature.
• Attend a dance class like Zumba.
• Visit a comedy club or watch a stand-up special.
• Get a manicure or pedicure as a treat.
• Use an adult coloring book to relax without pressure.
• Set aside evening time specifically to unwind.
• Take a bubble bath to relax your body.
• Dress up and take yourself out for a nice meal.

What are practical self-care tips for teachers?

Self-care involves making conscious decisions to prioritize your own needs, advocating for your wellness to ensure you can perform at your best. You cannot support children effectively if you do not support yourself first.

• Check in on yourself frequently. Ask: “What brings me joy? What causes stress? What does my body need right now?”
• Attend therapy or counseling to process emotions professionally.
• Take a real midday break to return to the classroom refreshed.
• Listen to soft instrumental music while working to create a calm environment.
• Dedicate time to spiritual practices, such as meditation or prayer.
• Practice yoga in the morning or evening to release tension.
• Use deep breathing exercises when feelings of overwhelm arise.
• Drink green tea or eat snacks containing magnesium to help reduce anxiety.
• Read for personal development to grow outside of work.
• Journal for ten minutes in the evening to clear your mind.
• Use sick time for mental health appointments.
• Try vagus nerve cooling techniques for stress management.
• Burn aromatherapy candles at home to signal the end of the workday.
• Repeat affirmations when you encounter stressful situations.

Frequently asked questions

What are the early signs of teacher burnout in child care?

Common signs of burnout include chronic fatigue, irritability with children or colleagues, dreading going to work, and a sense of detachment or ineffectiveness in the classroom.

How can childcare directors support staff mental health?

Directors can support staff by offering regular mental health check-ins, ensuring teachers take their full breaks, providing professional development on stress management, and fostering a culture where asking for help is encouraged.

Why is mental health critical for early childhood educators?

Educators with positive mental health are better equipped to handle the emotional demands of the classroom, model healthy emotional regulation for children, and maintain positive relationships with families.

Be your best to give your best

As an early childhood educator, you support the healthy growth and development of the next generation. Prioritizing your mental health improves your overall well-being and enhances your ability to give your best as an educator.