Introducing Essential Oils into Your Early Childhood Center

Last year we introduced essential oils and diffusers into the classrooms, school office and teacher break room at the Bill & Sid Rubin Preschool at Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego. Over the course of the year, we have found that the teachers are 100 percent on board. They use the oils daily and are enjoying the many benefits of the oils. Yes, there is a limit to what you can do about runny noses and coughs, however, we have found that there is a calmer, healthier school environment.

I introduced the idea to our teaching staff with the information below:

As you know Congregation Beth Israel’s Bill and Sid Rubin Preschool has been providing excellent early childhood education for more than 30 years. We are known for cutting-edge Jewish preschool programming that engages children and their families. As part of our commitment to this cutting-edge and forward-thinking philosophy, we are excited to tell you about our program of diffusing essential oils in the classrooms! 

Essential oils are naturally occurring volatile compounds on plants that protect the plant, and these chemical constituents support health in people, too. Use of essential oils in the classroom primarily provides children and teachers with a calming environment that is supportive of respiratory health, two areas of challenge in a school setting. In particular, aromatic use of essential oils is a powerful way to: (1) affect emotions via the limbic system of the brain and (2) support & soothe the respiratory system. 

Working with Wellness Advocate & Essential Oil Educator Rachel Selk, we will be placing diffusers in various classrooms and will have diffusing safety guidelines to support our students and teachers (please click here for the Essential Oil Usage and Diffusing Safety Guidelines). Using only certified pure therapeutic grade oils (doTERRA brand), we will continue to adjust and monitor use so all have positive wellness experiences with the oils. We welcome your thoughts, feedback and any questions you have. 

Rachel will also be meeting with the parent committee in October to share details of the program and explore interest in creating opportunities for parents to learn how to safely and effectively incorporate these approaches in the home.

Please feel free to contact me for more information at cgoldberg@cbisd.org.