• Revolutionizing Early Care: The Case for Child Development Associates
• Congress is talking taxes…
• The spirit of professional development
• The witch hunt of educators
• Intentionally stepping out of our comfort zone as a means of growth

A Cry for Union.

This is a cry with the kind of desperation I’d best describe as “last survivor in a disaster movie sending out messages on the radio.”

We have spent so much time working against each other as competition that we have lost the collective voice; the voice that is meant to advocate for the best possible childhood for all children.

– Danie

As a result, those working in early childhood programs are viewed as less-than their public school counterparts and those in birth to three are typically viewed as babysitters.

It somehow took a pandemic for the nation to recognize that without care providers, the workforce would be incredibly crippled. Suddenly, the care giving field was seen as essential and monies were distributed as a polite “hey thanks for putting yourselves in the front line so the rest of us could also work.” Just writing that makes me think of tribes long ago, with the hunters and gatherers. Someone always stayed with the children. Caregiving in the early years is inherently early education because so much of their development in these years occurs within the context of their relationships and attachments with others. Seems like a pretty big deal to be entrusted with helping to develop a child’s well-being and growth as a person.

I invite you to join me in this journey towards some sort of village that supports the care of the caregivers and their support network because much like the book The Invisible String shares, we are all connected. When we do something to support another person, we create a ripple of goodness… because that person may show up for others around them in a better mindset. Pay it forward, but with support.