Small Talks, No. 19
July 16, 2021
Welcome to the nineteenth 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 -
PBS launched a historical series on the child care crisis. First three episodes covered a lot of ground:
The first segment is about how child care is largely a private market in the U.S. with inefficiencies and inequities of access and quality.
The second segment is focused on two-gen possibilities combining job training & child care to advance participation/prosperity of single mothers in the workforce.
The third segment looks at a rare infant program in a public district in Nebraska, where teachers are paid on parity with K-12.
A new report from The Holding Co. and Pivotal Ventures shows that innovation in caregiving is worth $648B and growing due to increased government funding + employer-led benefits spending.
ASU GSV Summit, the largest education innovation conference, is elevating early care and education as a preeminent topic with a full dedicated track. I still remember how it was barely on the schedule a few years ago. Progress. And, looking forward to seeing some of you there...in person!
Zaila Avant Garde is the first African American champion of Scripps National Spelling Bee (in almost 100 years). She is also the holder of three Guinness records. Great thread below:
What I’m listening to -
Little kids are curious about race and difference. In “How antiracism work is changing early childhood education”, Dr. Calvin Moore, CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition, discusses how teachers are preparing to help children develop positive social identities, encourage their self-expression and help them feel comfortable and safe.
What I’m reading -
Tony Wagner’s“Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World” was first published in 2012. A bestseller about creativity and imagination.
"The role of education is no longer to teach content, but to help our children learn—in a world that rewards the innovative and punishes the formulaic."
What I’m watching -
Promise Venture Studio’s show & tell on birth equity and justice highlights both the urgent need and innovations in perinatal and post-birth solutions.
What I’m learning and exploring more deeply -
Child care: The Time Has Come to Bring This One Home For Families by early childhood policy expert Joan Lombardi, bringing us back to the Nixon years.
On a related topic, statistics show it's time to ring the alarm on early childhood education.
On the importance of making learning fun: Students who enjoy school at age 6 earn higher standardized test scores at 16—even after controlling for intelligence. Teachers set the tone for intrinsic motivation. Students who like their teachers are 9x more likely to enjoy school.
A new study from Illinois confirms a state law intended to help curb preschool suspensions and expulsions is having its desired effect.
The Postsecondary Value Commission found that 649 institutions do not provide students with any economic ROI after 10 years. Regardless of cost, Tom Vander Ark explains why we cannot afford education that doesn’t lead students to opportunity.
Nicole Lynn-Lewis and Vinice Davis write about how college success of parents is critical to achieve racial equity.
Quote I am pondering -
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