Small Talks, No. 27
September 10, 2021
Dear Small Talker,
Welcome to the twenty seventh 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 week marks a historic Congressional package that would establish the biggest investment in affordable, high-quality early care and education and parent supports in our nation's history… lots of politics ahead, but celebrating this moment and all the advocates and educators behind it.
First OECD survey on social-emotional skills. Interesting findings include:
Academic & life quality outcomes improve with SEL.
10-year olds are more curious & creative than 15-year olds, in part because of child development, but also likely due to school pressures.
For no other reason than inspiration… this cool art by Brazilian street artist Fábio Gomes Trindade. Check his instagram for more beauty.
What I’m listening to-
Timely discussion Head Start and Universal Pre-K: What We Know and What We Need, hosted in partnership by the National Head Start Association and the Children’s Equity Project.
"Kids learn best when they are safe, healthy, and loved - that means having access to healthcare, mental and dental healthcare, safe and stable housing, and economically secure households + rich, engaging, inquiry based, learning opportunities." — Shantel Meek, Children’s Equity Project
Interview between Marc Freedman, CEO of Encore.org and Ken Dytchwald, president of AgeWave, about and why they believe that older and younger generations working together (“cogeneration”) is the path to a better future. Laugh and learn…
What I’m reading -
Looking forward to Angelina Jolie’s new book “Know Your Rights and Claim Them", written with human rights lawyer Geraldine Van Bueren, one of the original drafters of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (note: the US is the only country that has not ratified it yet).
Also, it is not every day that I open a book and read a chapter on…me. Humbled for my work to be featured in Devin Thorpe‘s new book « Superpowers for Good: The Skills You Can Master to Leave Your Mark in the World », alongside amazing leaders like Bill Gates, Gail McGovern at the Red Cross, or Bill Drayton at Ashoka. …and I love that book cover!
What I’m watching -
Does quality early education lead to more successful lives as adults? The answer might seem obvious, but there’s an important caveat.
What I’m learning and exploring more deeply -
Grim, but important research findings on early educator attrition in Louisiana: >60% of Fall '16 teachers were no longer teaching at the same site in Fall '19.
Thought provoking piece “The Education Revolt” by Reach Capital partner Jomayra Herrera highlights 4 industry shifts in education (I) what is taught, (II) who can teach, (III) where it’s taught, and (IV) what is valued starts to expand.
In “Edtech leans into the creator economy with cohort-based classes”, Natasha Mascarenhas at TechCrunch spotlights a tension in creators turning into educators: fear that this could bring unqualified teachers without true pedagogy, or potential for true democratization of education?
TikTok has overtaken YouTube in watch time:~50 minutes per day on TikTok in the U.S. This is a platform where teens and adults are increasingly learning…
Children of 9/11…in remembrance.
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