Small Talks, No. 66
July 1, 2022
Dear Small Talker,
Welcome to the sixty sixth 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 -
Candidly, it is tough to write “what I am celebrating” this week, when…
The Supreme Court made several historical decisions on:
(i) curbing women’s health rights, without plans to better support children & parents post birth. Research suggests that children born from unwanted pregnancies have worse education and life outcomes. Moreover, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association have condemned the decision for its negative impact on children (teen moms).
(ii) blurring separation of church & state in education;
(iii) restricting EPA’s ability to mandate carbon emission reduction. At this point, climate change puts at risk nearly every child, and disproportionally impacts younger children and those in lower income communities.
(iv) limiting Tribal sovereignty, with potential implications on Native American education.
The Texas Education Agency is proposing to the State Board of Education to change the word “slavery” to “involuntary relocation.”
Child care is not included in reconciliation bill (yet).
The world is unhappier, more stressed than ever…
In this context, a bit of tenderness from our furry friends may be welcome. Sea otters give their pups almost constant attention, carrying them on their bellies for sleeping and feeding.
What I’m listening to -
“Where does education fit in in the emerging Metaverse?” Great interview with Jeff Young and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.
What I’m reading -
Anya Kamenetz’ new book “The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children’s Lives and Where Do We go Now” comes out next month. Preview here in this insightful interview.
What I’m watching -
This wonderful TED Talk about joy in education by Dean Shareski.
What I’m learning more deeply -
“The Biggest Disruption in the History of American Education” by Meira Levinson at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Daniel Markovitz
at Yale Law School is an excellent, albeit sobering recount of the pandemic’s effects on our children’s education.
Interesting research that shows impact on young children of: (1) neighborhood on developing brains; (2) the offset by strong community ties.
Thought provoking piece by Christopher Stewart on education in America for Black children.
Two important pieces on how investing in care supports families and the economy by Eliott Haspel and by Kate Gallagher Robbins
Fascinating essay on how the brains of social animals synchronize and expand one another. It highlights an emerging area in cognitive science referred to as “collective cognitive science”.
Poem I’m 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 of you who are sending me amazing suggestions.
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Have a wonderful week. Happy 4th July. Please stay safe and care for each other.
Isabelle