ABOUT OUR EXPERTS
Lead Lecturer at NIEC with a Master's in Counselling (specialising in complex trauma in children and young persons) and a Bachelor's Degree in Education.
Centre Principal for M.Y World @ Bukit Batok West Plains 2 and has over 10 years of experience within the early childhood development sector.
Teacher Alexis (not her real name) was always the first to lead singing and dancing for her class of children at M.Y World @ Bukit Batok West Plains 2.
But when she started a new Playgroup class, her principal, Ms Elaine Tan, began noticing subtle changes in her. Alexis began displaying anxiety when faced with a class of crying toddlers.
Concerned, Ms Tan scheduled a supportive check-in. It was during this conversation that Alexis opened up about balancing the needs of the new toddlers alongside her existing responsibilities.
“Her energy had dropped,” Ms Tan recalled. “I remember her telling me, ‘I’m so stressed that after work, I can still hear them crying.’”
Like Alexis, preschool educators are in a role that requires a high level of responsibility and dedication, said Ms Shanna-Mae Therese de Cruz, Lead Lecturer at the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC), Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Campus.
Early childhood educators juggle many responsibilities, including keeping children safe and planning meaningful learning experiences. Without proactive support, these demands can make it hard to maintain a sustainable balance and may increase the risk of burnout.
Careers that carry high levels of expectation and responsibility, such as early childhood education, can feel overwhelming.
Beanstalk spoke to Ms Shanna-Mae and Ms Tan about how to recognise and manage the pressures of the job.
UNDERSTANDING HOW TO IDENTIFY BURNOUT
The first step in cultivating a healthier work environment is learning how to identify the onset of burnout. This involves looking out for changes in behaviour and emotional patterns like:
- Withdrawal from work and personal life: You may notice a growing detachment from your responsibilities, with hobbies losing their appeal and little energy left to maintain personal relationships.
- Persistent self-doubt and mental exhaustion: Ongoing thoughts of not feeling good enough can become exhausting, making it difficult to stay focused or grounded.
- Emotional strain and low mood: When emotional demands exceed your capacity, you may experience anxiety or feelings of not meeting work expectations despite genuine effort.
- Physical signs of stress and fatigue: Stress may show up physically, such as through a rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, digestive discomfort, or poor sleep.
- Reduced performance and increased mistakes: Despite your best efforts, you might find yourself making more mistakes or struggling to maintain your usual standards.
Lasting changes to one’s mindset and a robust support system can make all the difference in managing burnout.
MANAGING STRESS IN THE LONG RUN
- Check in with yourself
Regularly take stock of your thoughts and emotions. Intentional reflection helps you spot early signs of stress before they escalate, allowing you to proactively seek support or adjust your expectations or pace.
- Prioritise what matters most
Learn to differentiate between “must-do” responsibilities and “good-to-do” tasks. Let go of low-value tasks, and shift your focus towards quality and meaningful impact over quantity.
- Look for sustainable coping strategies
Collaborate with others to keep the daily workload sustainable. Short-term techniques like deep-breathing exercises are most effective when paired with lasting changes to our professional mindsets and daily habits like reframing expectations and supportive routines.
HOW CAN LEADERS AND PEERS HELP?
You can build a robust system of support by:
- Creating a culture that supports mental well-being
A safe and non-judgmental environment helps educators speak up about challenges. At M.Y World @ Bukit Batok West Plains 2, support is provided in various ways, such as daily walkabouts to offer encouragement, a digital feedback channel to share concerns, and monthly team meetings for deeper connection.
- Offering support early through trusting dialogue
Regular and trusting conversations help leaders and peers spot early signs of fatigue or exhaustion, and step in with timely support or adjustments.
- Respecting professional boundaries and personal time
Sustaining dedication and commitment requires collective effort. Leaders and parents should remain mindful of keeping tasks and communication within working hours.
