So much is possible when we stand strong together.
– Ann Pelo and Margie Carter

Ann Pelo and Margie Carter, authors of From Teaching to Thinking have written all the forewords for the collection of books they have curated and edited to illustrate a new, reimagined way of working in early care and education. Here’s an excerpt from one of those forewords:

“The stories in the Reimagining Our Work (ROW) book collection are anchored in the conviction that another world is possible for early childhood education – a world characterized by open-hearted and attentive collaborations between children and educators, in shared exploration of engaging ideas. This collection helps us begin to imagine that world, as we reimagine our work, moving beyond the joyless land of prescribed curricula with its corresponding outcomes and assessments, into the unpredictable, green-growing terrain of lively curiosity and rigorous critical thought.”

Recently they have written a letter to all early childhood professionals, urging everyone to learn from the historical lessons of the Reggio Emilia schools, and to ask how they are relevant to us today. Here’s how the letter begins:

“Greetings in this perilous time in the United States, which has such impactful reverberations around the world. We’re writing to you as comrades committed to inspire thoughtful, ethical action on behalf of children, families, educators, schools, communities. We who have been nourished and challenged and fortified by the schools in Reggio Emilia have a significant responsibility and opportunity to speak out and act up.”

Please read the entire letter here.