Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands. 
– Linda Hogan, Dwellings 

“Love is the supreme form of human connection. In the hierarchy of needs, love stands as the supreme developing agent of the humanity of the person. As such, the teaching of love should be the central core of all early childhood curriculum – with all other subjects growing naturally out of such teaching.”

This is an excerpt from an article by Ashley Montagu called “Friendship – Loving: What Early Childhood Education is All About” that is included in the Art of Leadership book, Cultivating Curriculum in Early Childhood Organizations. Montagu (1905 – 1999) was an anthropologist who popularized the study of topics such as race, gender, culture and child care.

We at Exchange thank each of you working to support children or their teachers by courageously claiming loving relationships as the heart of your work.

*Remember that if you’ve registered for the Protecting Play conference, it begins tomorrow, December 5 at 12 Eastern.