Words of Inspiration and Motivation

Samuel Meisels, expert in the area of assessment and child development, had this to say with regards to a national standardized test proposed for Head Start students :“This test is not good early education practice. It is not good psychometric practice. It is not good public policy. And it is certainly not good for young children.” I whole-heartily agree with this statement. I feel that along the way, education had stopped being about teaching children, and became teaching children how to be test takers. Progress is now judged by numbers on a bubble sheet, not in a child's ability to think, problem solve, or appreciate the world around them.



Marcy Whitebook, advocate in the field of early childhood education, has this to say about the working conditions in the field: “There is a serious mismatch between the expectations we place on early childhood teachers, the quality and relevance of available preparation, the supports for learning on the job, and the compensation and benefits we provide them.” Quality ECE programs depend upon quality teachers. Low pay, lack of benefits, lack of training, and lack of support all contribute to the serious problem of getting and keeping good teachers in early childhood.


In reviewing an earlier media presentation, the following quote jumped out at me as perfectly describing why I still work in ECE: "The passion to create a safer, more just world for all kids" (Louise Derman-Sparks, Professor Emeritus, Pacific Oaks College, CA). I look at the news, and I am dismayed at what is going on in the world. Prejudice, bigotry, and hatred are seemingly stronger than ever. Then I go to work each day and see 19 children care for one another, befriend each other, get along with one another, and I am once again reminded that children who are taught acceptance, tolerance, and love are the key to a peaceful future for our world.