Welcome to the seventeenth 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 -
This important op-ped by Diana Rauner, who leads StartEarly in Illinois, about what children and families have experienced, and her vision for the *2034 class*.
This was a big week in edtech, that follows a big first half of the year of investments and exits. U.S. edtech investments in the first half of 2021 surpassed $3.2Bn, more than the entirety of 2020 :
Both Duolingo (language learning) and Instructure (LMS) filed for IPOs.
In early childhood, Age of Learning (ABC Mouse) raises $300m at $3Bn valuation to expand internationally.
As my family watched many (yes, many) movies during the pandemic, I loved this thread from David Evans “traveling the world” through movies.
What I’m listening to -
The Preschool Podcast by Himama features Scott Moore, CEO of Kidango. Scott discusses the impact on children's development and learning from COVID-19 and groundbreaking findings from their research study about the Seeds of Learning program- it showed NO learning loss….
What I’m reading -
I am enjoying “The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter” by Joseph Heinrich that shows that the secret of our success lies not in our innate intelligence, but in our collective brains―on the ability of human groups to socially interconnect and learn from one another over generations.
What I’m watching -
This new documentary “Chasing Childhood” is a must-watch about over-parenting and over-scheduling. The film outlines three communities that are trying to shift culture to create room for play and independence with the hope of raising kids to become competent, healthy and happy adults.
On a related topic, I recommend this interview with Erika Christakis “What’s lost when we rush kids through childhood”
What I’m learning and exploring more deeply -
“A game-changing opportunity: Rethinking how communities serve children and families” is a great piece by David Jacobson at EDC on the importance of a holistic approach to education.
“Thinking like Leonardo da Vinci will help children tackle climate change” highlights research from the UK suggesting we need a radical shake-up of the curriculum to ensure trans-disciplinary approach.
Those new data on friendships are troubling. 12% adults have no close friend. The survey was conducted with adults. They left me wondering about the impact of the pandemic on children friendships, and potential long-term effects.
“Caring First for the Littlest: Caregiver Touch and a Revolution of the Heart” by Sofia Carozza published in Capita highlights the importance of physical touch in the development of healthy relationships in the early years. Beautiful read.
A staggering 40% of the global workforce are considering leaving their jobs this year — and record numbers already have. People have had the time in this forced pause to redefine success for themselves, writes Ariana Huffington.
“There's something deeper at the heart of this great awakening: a collective redefinition of success […] that adds to the first two metrics [of money and status] the third metric of well-being -- which includes resilience, and being able to tap into our own inner peace, joy, and wonder.”
Quote I am pondering -
“Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world.”
— Maria Montessori
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.
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Have a wonderful week. Please stay safe and care for each other.
Isabelle
Hey Isabelle, always love to see.....sometimes not enough time to read....but today, read with great interest, especially the Institute for Family Studies findings.......thinking a lot of what that means for emotional connection and ERH....the world for babies and young children is changing
Hi Isabelle, loving your Friday newsletters. Today (9/10) I watched the video on does quality ECD matter and still am unclear on the "Caveat". Please unpack. In general, I always enjoy if you unpack the items a bit more with your insights.