“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” –Meister Eckhart

Dear Reader,

Here we are, at the beginning of a wonderful new adventure together. Today begins the launch of Exchange Community Voices, our weekly digest coming to you every Monday. I like the idea that we’ll be starting every week together as a community of people who understand both the challenges and joys of the early care and education field. My hope is that you’ll look forward to these articles as a way to gain information, inspiration and a boost to your wellbeing.

In this first weekly digest, you’ll find the same helpful articles that Exchange has always had ever since Bonnie and Roger Neugebauer began the first printed magazine more than forty years ago. And you’ll find new opportunities as we launch a variety of regular columns that we hope you’ll look forward to reading as they repeat throughout the year.

In this first week you’ll find a favorite column, “Building Joyful Organization,” by Karen Foster-Jorgensen, that offers such great suggestions for beginning a new year. A delightful article on the magic of snow play by Ann Rossmiller and colleagues from the University of Cincinnati follows wonderfully well on the heels of the recent “Protecting Play” conference many of you enjoyed with us on December 5, 2025. I was intrigued by the idea of looking for snow play schemas, and the authors’ suggestions for how to enjoy snow and ice indoors as well as outside.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the next three weeks in January, you’ll enjoy columns called “ECE Around the World,” “Stories from the Field,” “Owner’s Circle,” and “Stories Across Generations.” And you’ll find articles about the three most important roles of an ECE director; what it means to help children grow up as peacemakers; innovative ways to soothe crying infants, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you here each week. As soon as Exchange Community Voices comes across your email each Monday, log into your account so you’ll be able to read the complete articles. Don’t have a membership yet? No problem. Join now! You’ll notice at the end of every article I’ll offer some ideas for reflection—questions that you might want to ponder with staff or college students or on your own.

I’ll also offer you a quote each month, like the one at the top of this column. I hope it will give you a bit of encouragement and some food for thought. This month’s quote works both for a new year, and a new chapter for Exchange.

Here’s to wonderful new beginnings,

Nancy Rosenow
Editor-in-Chief, Exchange Press