Miss Rachna from Thrive Merrylands

 

Our feature this month recognises the sidekick to Merrylands Centre Leader, Miss Maggie Bazouni, her 2IC, Miss Rachna who supports the wonderful operation and team at our Merrylands centre.

Tell us about your career background/education?
In the initial 8 years of my career, I worked as a Secondary School Teacher in India. This gave me great exposure in dealing with children and understanding a variety of behavioural skills that are so beneficial when they are instilled during their childhood.

After my child was born, I became so engrossed in his care. This is where I started planning for him by identifying his needs and skills. As I enjoyed playing, teaching and learning alongside him, my desire to delve into Early Childhood Education grew.
I began with a Certificate III in Childcare and thereafter completed my Diploma in Early Childhood Education. I believe my exposure from teaching in Secondary School has developed a great understanding of the needs and challenges children face in their early years.

2. Why is early childhood education important to you?
Early childhood education is very important to me as it encompasses the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

3. What is your favourite thing about working in early childhood education?
I chose a career in Early Childhood Education quite simply because of the love I have for children. I enjoy not only teaching them but also watching their behaviour and listening to their interesting conversations. I gain so much satisfaction when I teach them and see a twinkle in their eyes as they understand and implement my teachings.

4. Is there someone/something that inspires your work?
Success is what motivates me to do a good job. Knowing that my hard work and perseverance will help me achieve greater professional success is what keeps me going. I feel that aligning the Thrive organisation’s vision and values with my own is one way to achieve that.

5. Share something positive &/or interesting about your team?
A positive environment promotes an atmosphere that fosters friendship and loyalty. These close-knit relationships motivate employees to work in harmony and develop our weaker skills by relying and learning from each other. I am so proud of the passion and professionalism of our Merrylands team

There is always the need for continuous learning and development to ensure my team is able to respond to new challenges in an ever-changing environment. This can be achieved by working closely with one another and ensure we are all working efficiently, cooperatively and above all are supportive of one another.

What does the Wellbeing of children imply?

A childs social and emotional wellbeing is integral to their overall health, development and wellbeing. Children with high levels of social and emotional wellbeing are more likely to successfully negotiate physical, intellectual and social challenges during childhood and adolescence.

Physical wellbeing contributes to childrens ability to concentrate, cooperate and learn. As children become more independent, they can take greater responsibility for their health, hygiene and personal care and become mindful of their own and others’ safety.

What is mindfulness for children?

Our minds are constantly active. You might be watching television, but also thinking about the past, or worrying about something, or wondering what you are going to have for dinner.

Mindfulness is about stilling your active mind. It has been defined in several ways, including:

• giving your complete attention to the present on a moment-by-moment basis
• paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, without judgment.

It is about being more aware as you live and experience each moment, as the moment happens. It can be a useful way of calming yourself, focusing and concentrating on what you are doing.

You can be mindful of your internal world. For example, sensations, breath and emotions.

Or you can focus on what is around you. For example, sights, sounds and smells. You can be mindful anywhere and with anything. For example, you can be mindful while you are eating, walking, listening to music or sitting.

You can practice mindfulness with your little one by giving this activity a go:

TAKING NOTICE
There is so much to pay attention to all around us, all the time. From cars to birds to sirens if we step outside our doorstep we are exposed to a huge range of sounds. Sitting down and taking a few minutes to identify your surroundings will help your focus mind and body and enable you and your child to relax before moving to another activity.

Firstly, how do you explain mindfulness to a child?

You can explain it to children by saying it is a bit like looking outside in the morning to see what the weather is doing.

You see what the weather pattern is like inside you. This helps you to know what you need that day. So, if it is raining outside, you know you need an umbrella.

If you are feeling stormy inside, you ask yourself what you need – maybe you need to be on your own for a bit, or to ask for a hug or to do some exercise.

TAKE NOTICE OF…THE SKY
Take some time each day to watch the sky in the day and at night.

TAKE NOTICE OF…THE CLOUDS
When you look at the sky in the day, watch the clouds. Can you spot different patterns? Draw a picture of the clouds or imagine that you can see pictures in the different shapes.

TAKE NOTICE OF…THE MOON
Learn about the moon and its different phases. Make some time to have a look for it each night. Maybe draw a picture of what you see.

TAKE NOTICE OF…THE STARS
See if you can spot stars you recognise and give them names.