Small Talks, No. 14
June 11, 2021
Welcome to the thirteenth edition of Small Talks. Every Friday, I highlight 6 areas of weekly joys and reflections in early childhood and the whole family. Small Talks leverages my experience at the intersection of education, philanthropy and impact investing. Enjoy!
What I’m celebrating —
“Child Care, Unfiltered” gave cameras to 12 early learning and care providers and asked them to document their lives to understand what early care and education really looks like. Trailer is available here.
Incredible brain MRI scan research by Martha Farah at Penn shows that attending quality center-based care as a young child results in increased size of the whole brain, the cortex, and other critical brain areas in midlife.
Excellent rundown of one year later for the child care industry by Jackie Mader at The Hechinger Report, showing that the situation may be a bit better than initially expected.
Human talent. Illuminated biscuits. Illuminating thread below.
What I’m listening to —
Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s Forum on Children and Families with my favorite session “Power Shifting: Parents Leading The Way”, pointing to the clear evidence that Black fathers are in fact MORE involved in their children’s care and their lives, than fathers of other races. New report on the state of two-generation approaches.
What I’m reading —
In Teachers We Trust: The Finnish Way to World-Class Schools by Finnish educator Pasi Salberg outlines 7 principles for building a culture of trust in schools, from offering clinical training for future teachers to encouraging student agency to fostering a collaborative professionalism among educators.
What I’m watching —
6min movie Breaking the Cycle by Darcia Narvaez makes the case to break our current *Cycle of Competitive Detachment* and the potential to return to the pattern of 95% of our human history: a healthy, peaceful *Cycle of Cooperative Companionship*
What I’m learning and exploring more deeply —
Inspiring piece “Rebuilding an Age-Integrated Society” by Marci Alboher and Eunice Lin Nichols on how social innovation has separated old from young, sowing disconnection and discontent and how we can come together again.
“Everyone benefits when we tap the assets of old and young people to bride divides and solve problems.”
Anne Helen Petersen’s excellent interview of Casey Stockstill about her work studying de facto segregated preschools — including how preschoolers play & conceive of authority differently. Yes, expectations start early.
"This is de facto segregation. It’s not mandated by racist laws like those that existed prior to the 1950s. But it’s a segregated reality."
Two important equity policy reports: (1) Start with Equity: 14 Priorities to Dismantle Systemic Racism In Early Care and Education by The Children’s Equity Project, and (2) Increasing Equity in Early Interventions by EdTrust.
Thought expanding piece “Democracy Starts with Babies and Responsive Care”
“The German Nazis knew this, promoting harsh treatment of young children so that later they would automatically (without free will) submit to authority without question. Thus, if we want to promote a democracy, we need to start with baby and young child care, providing our species evolved nest to ensure full human capacities are developed.”
Quote I am pondering —
“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”
— Marian Wright Edelman
Feedback is a gift. Which part above is your favorite? What did I miss? What do you want more or less of? Other recommendations? Please kindly let me know. Thank to all all of you who are sending me amazing suggestions.
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help spread the word by sharing with your friends, colleagues, and networks.
Have a wonderful week. Please stay safe and care for each other.
Isabelle