Small Talks, No. 25

August 27, 2021

Aug 27, 2021

Dear Small Talker,

Welcome to the twenty fifth 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 -

New research by Natalie Brito meets common sense: paid maternal leave drives better language and socio-emotional outcomes for toddlers.
A study of Louisiana’s Pre-K program finds participation increased on-time high school graduation by 4%, Algebra scores by 12%, Biology scores by 9%, Geometry scores by 8%, English scores by 8%, and lowered special ed placement by 45%.
The launch of the new climate index by UNICEF tracks the impact of climate change on children by region. 1 billion children – nearly half the world's 2.2 billion children – live in “extremely high-risk” countries from a climate change perspective.

13-year-old becomes youngest student on Georgia Tech’s campus. For inspiration, read more here.

What I’m listening -

Early lessons is a beautiful reporting on the launch and running of the Perry Preschool in segregated America in 1958 in the city of Ypsilanti in Michigan that will inspire the creation of Head Start.

This discussion between two amazing minds (and hearts) in education - Michael Levine and Tom Vander Ark on the future of early learning.

What I’m reading -

I greatly look forward to Robin Dunbar’s new book, now released in the UK, and available in the US in January 2022. It has new fascinating data on friendship. It takes ~200 hours to move someone from stranger to close friend, and the 7 factors for friendship compatibility are: language, place of origin, education, hobbies, worldview (religious, political), music taste, and…humor.

What I’m watching -

Through Our Eyes is a documentary mini-series that explores the challenges that kids face when their families go through difficult situations. Themes of incarceration, climate change, military veteran life after war, and homelessness are explored. The kids' wisdom and strength shine through as they share their universal lessons of togetherness, strength, and love.

What I’m learning and exploring more deeply -

Conclusion of study on the impact of COVID on young children is GLOOMY:
"Children born during the pandemic have significantly reduced verbal, motor, & overall cognitive performance compared to children born pre-pandemic."
On the positive side, experience from prior crises suggests that trauma-sensitive solutions can help overcome. And, another new study shows that children enrolled in Head Start Acelero made significant gains despite the pandemic.
Great piece “It’s time for the VC community to stop overlooking the childcare industry” by Sara Mauskopf, Winnie and Elana Berkowitz, Springbank.
Black parents experienced the highest spike of homeschooling during the pandemic, going from 3% to 16%. Many parents cited health concerns, racism, and lack of compassion for why they opted to teach at home.

Quote I am pondering -

“Education either functions as an instrument, which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity, or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world".”
— Paulo Freire (author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed)

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.

Small Talks