Between Tiny Hands and Big Ideas
The day often starts with a buzz or a gentle vibration from my phone, nudging me into action. Before I even brush my teeth, I’ve already checked my mails, notifications from my social media platforms (i.e. WhatsApp, Facebook) and sometimes I am woken up from my iMessage from work asking to come in earlier, all with a few taps on my smartphone.
This is my life: part early childhood educator, part graduate student, full-time mom and juggler of roles. By day, I’m an early childhood educator at Hopes Home, surrounded by tiny voices, sticky fingers, and spontaneous hugs. By night (or whenever life gives me a quiet moment), I get to watch some Facebook reels, Netflix , read academic texts, do some reflecting and assignments as a TLL student at the University of Regina.
Technology isn’t the star of my day, but it’s the thread that ties everything together.
At work, I use the ADP app to login and clock out, I don’t spend hours staring at a screen. My focus is on the children, their play, their questions, their growth. But behind the scenes, tools like Lillio help me document their learning journeys and keep families in the loop and I mostly use sportify to play calming music in the room to create an entertaining environment for the kids . Communication with colleagues happens mostly through email, often squeezed in between diaper changes, lunch time and snack time.
Once the workday winds down and my little one is tucked in, a different part of my brain lights up. That’s when I pull out my laptop, usually for coursework, writing, or catching up on messages from classmates. I rely on Google Docs to draft assignments, and WhatsApp to stay in touch with my family back home through chats and vide calls.
My learning style leans into the interactive: videos, hands-on tools, and discussions energize me far more than static pages of text. There’s something powerful about engaging with others, sharing ideas, and learning from different perspectives. It reminds me of the same collaborative spirit I encourage in my young learners.
And now, here I am writing my very first blog post 🤫.
To be completely honest, I still feel weird when I think I’m a “blogger.” This is my first time doing this. But it’s growth and something new, so I’m going to take it. It’s a new way for me to learn to reflect, share, and communicate not only as a student and a teacher but as a life-long learner. I have been able to use so many educational websites and apps that helps transform my teaching and learning in the space of 3 years such as the KAHOOT, CANVA, PADLET and many more.
Some days, it feels like I’m walking a tightrope between lesson plans and literature reviews, circle time and citations. But technology, though sometimes frustrating, always evolving is the balancing pole that helps me stay upright.
So, cheers to tiny fingers that pull me into play and big thoughts that push me to deeper understanding. And cheers to tech tools that create space for both.
Hey Nofisat!
I enjoyed reading your blog post. The title is what drew me in at first – very cute! I can relate to not having too much to share in relation to technology and the kids I teach. As a primary educator (as you point out in your work as an early childhood educator) technology isn’t as prominent in our work. I, too, had to consider more what tech tools I use, personally and professionally, as opposed to what the kids use. I very much connected to your use of technology first thing in the morning (so much to catch up on each morning, it seems!) and your use of calming music to throughout the day to help the kids regulate.
It sounds like you have quite a busy and fulfilling life and tech is a means to help you stay connected and manage it all! I really liked: “Technology isn’t the star of my day, but it’s the thread that ties everything together.” What a perfect way to phrase that. I think that could be a good mantra for educators to teach students as well; technology will be so prominent in these young people’s lives, so helping them find a good balance and using tech in these useful ‘tie everything together’ ways, instead of being their sole focus, priority, interest (‘star’ of their day) is so important! Thanks!
-Teagan Bryden
Thank you for your beautiful comment, it really was a graceful moment reading your reply and knowing we have somethings in common.
Hi Nofisat,
Welcome to the world of blogging! Thank you for giving us a glimpse into what a day in your busy life looks like. You wear many hats, and it sounds like your days are full and meaningful! Like Teagan, I found your statement—“Technology isn’t the star of my day, but it’s the thread that ties everything together”—really resonated with me. I don’t always want technology to be the “star” of my day, but it intersects nearly every aspect of my life. From my career to how I stay connected with friends and family, to taking classes and managing day-to-day tasks, technology is a part of everything I do. Finding the right balance between using it meaningfully and not letting it overwhelm my time is something I continue to work on.
Best of luck in your blogging journey!
Thank you for your comment. I am really glad to be in the blogging world (smiles !). I am truly learning a lot in it. It is funny how I am actually at that quiet time of the day where I get to have time to choose between school work and Facebook reels.
Hello new BLOGGER !!! You did amazing job. As a fellow Early Childhood Educator, your post deeply resonated with me. Balancing our role in the classroom with personal life, studies, and ongoing growth is no easy feat—and yet, like you, I’ve found that technology has become the quiet helper behind it all. I also use tools like Lillio to communicate with families and document children’s learning, and Spotify is a daily staple in my classroom to create calm, joyful spaces. It’s refreshing to hear someone share so openly about the real juggle of ECE life. Your journey inspires me to embrace reflection and growth through tech too
Thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot coming from a fellow Early Childhood Educator who understands the daily juggle. I agree technology when used meaningfully, truly helps us manage, communicate, and create those calm, connected classroom moments. I’m so glad my post resonated with you, and I appreciate you sharing your own experiences too. Let’s keep learning and growing together!
Hello Nofisat, I loved reading your blog reflection because, having worked as an early childhood educator for 18 years (while attending school, during summers when I’m not teaching, and every break possible), I had me reflecting on how much less technology I use in that field than in my administrative and teacher school roles.
My experiences working as an early childhood educator and early childhood education in general tends to be so filled with sensory experiences and play, outdoor adventures, songs, engaging stories, naps, hugs, band aids, teaching kids how to tie their shoes, the responsibility of getting their own outdoor gear on their own bodies, and simple things getting their hands dirty or splashing in a water bin, it really does not leave much time for technology. Working in the ECE field and following more of a Reggio Emelia school of thought, I found that we are more facilitators for safe and healthy play, experiential learning, and exploration of the world around them – there is much less need for technology.
As it has been a few years working in that field, reading your words was a refreshing reminder of how different working with children that age is from the K-12 atmosphere. So much more creativity, innocence, and enjoyable play and less screen time and worrying about self-esteem issues based on unknown online influences.