Honoring Care

A Message from Nancy Rosenow, Exchange Publisher:

Dear Exchange Community,

In a recent article in the New York Times, Elliot Haspel wrote:

“Rhian Evans Allvin, the chief executive of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, said: ‘There is a path forward where early childhood education can both be a valued and revered profession, and we can honor care at the same time. We can say it is valued and revered in part because it is also about care as well as education.’ Allvin pointed to nursing as an example of a field that has embraced new scientific understandings to elevate its stature and successfully ‘weave care together with their pedagogy.’”

The way I see it, the fact that care and education are inextricably linked in all that we provide for young children is something all early education professionals can celebrate. If we broaden our definition of care, we can be proud that we care for not only children’s physical needs, but their social and emotional needs as well. We also provide care for families and colleagues, as we listen, encourage and inspire each other.

As you know, Exchange Press is part of Dimensions Foundation, where we operate three of our own early childhood programs. One of our early childhood educators, who has spent the past few days preparing to welcome new children in the midst of a pandemic, just wrote this to families and colleagues: “We teachers are cleaning and organizing our spaces (with masks and while distancing) in anticipation of our new preschool year! We love working in our profession and are eager to have children back in our indoor and outdoor classrooms.”

Another of our team wrote this to fellow colleagues: “The fact that all of YOU exist in this world and do so much for children while you’re at it brings me joy, makes the world and my life in it meaningful.” And yet another wrote to everyone: “You are creative, kind, and intentional with more than enough fun to go around. Thank you for being essential workers and for all you do to make this world a better place.”

These are just examples of the kinds of encouragement that early educators are giving each other all over the world. Thank you for lifting each other up, reminding each other why our work is so vital; a gift to children, families and our world.

With great gratitude,
Nancy

Source: “Why are Child Care Programs Open When Schools Are Not?” by Elliot Haspel, New York Times, August 4. 2020

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