For many people who work in childcare, it’s far more than just a job. Spending time with children day-in and day-out, early childhood educators are in the unique position of observing behaviour trends first-hand.

For 22-year-old Amanda, this experience has led to an important lesson that she felt compelled to share. On Wednesday, she posted a thread on Twitter, relevant to anyone who works with or is raising children.

“I think one of the most important things I’ve learned about working in childcare is to remember that children are always watching you (even when you don’t think they are),” the thread begins.

I think one of the most important things I’ve learned about working in childcare is to remember that children are always watching you (even when you don’t think they are) … A thread

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

You spend 40+ hours with these children a week. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week these children are at daycare with you. They pick up quickly on your quirky behaviours, your funny slang, your bad habits, etc. They look up to you as a role model. They seek comfort in you.

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

So when a child worked really hard to put their coat on all by themselves and you’re too busy to notice so you just say “good job” and don’t acknowledge the fact they worked really hard and persisted to get the coat on all by themselves, it lessens their confidence in themselves.

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

Or when a child is wanting to help you spray the table with soapy water and clean it before snack or lunch times but you say no because it’s faster if you do it, they lose their sense of independence. They feel sad because their help was offered and denied.

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

Amanda goes on to emphasise how children look up to the adults around them as “role models,” and therefore, it’s crucial to notice the small things that might not seem important to you – but are major milestones for them.

We want to build strong, independent children! Our youth should feel like they are valued. They should feel accepted. They should feel safe. They should feel loved. They should feel important. We need to view them as bright and capable individuals in all areas of life.

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

So when one of your toddlers asks to help clean the table, let them! When one of your preschoolers puts on their shoes by themselves (even though they’re on the wrong feet), praise them! When a school age child is overwhelmed with emotion, tell them you understand how it feels!

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

These children are going to be running our world someday. They’re going to be the ones working in our nursing homes, hospitals, schools, banks, etc. Let’s raise children that we can be proud of! You get what you give. Be patient. Be kind. Be understanding.

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

“Our youth should feel like they are valued,” Amanda writes. “They should feel accepted. They should feel safe. They should feel loved. They should feel important.”

“You get what you give. Be patient. Be kind. Be understanding.”

We don’t know what goes on in children’s personal lives at home. We don’t see what goes on behind closed doors. The child that steals food from another child’s plate might not be fed enough at home. The child that swears at us might see abuse firsthand at home.

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

All we can do is be our best selves everyday at work and offer them a positive learning environment where they feel safe and loved. Give hugs, offer a helping hand, ask children how they feel, give positive feedback, redirect negative behaviours so they can become positive ones.

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

Essentially, Amanda’s advice is for those who work in childcare to be their “best selves everyday at work, [offering] a positive learning environment,” where children feel safe and loved.

Children are absorbing messages from the people around them, even when we don’t notice. While it might be quicker during the work day to do a small task yourself, or look over the fact that a child has done something on their own for the first time, these little moments are crucial. They ultimately build children up into the adult they will become.

Working in childcare is not an easy job. It requires lots of patience. There are some days when you go home feeling defeated and you break down in tears. But there are also days where something amazing happens and you’re reminded of why you got into the field in the first place.

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

The good always outweighs the bad. Smile. Laugh. Appreciate every minute of each day. As an early childhood educator who has been in the field for 2 years now, I feel blessed to be able to teach the young children in our community and to play a key role in their development. ????

— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) October 3, 2018

Amanda’s post resonated with thousands online. One woman replied, “Thank you. I love this so much. I work in child care as a toddler teacher. We sometimes spend more time with these children than their parents do. What we teach them and how we help them develop impacts them heavily. Our job is more than just a paycheck.”

Another wrote, “Working parents greatly appreciate the work you daycare teachers do. My daughter has learned so much from being around other kids and teachers. It’s good to know she’s in good hands while I can’t be around.”

It’s a simple message, but it carries a lot of weight: the children in your care are always watching, so be mindful of how you interact with them – all the way down to the little things.