Blog

Dear Readers:

This is the beginning of the third year I have been writing this blog about nature, culture, teaching, learning and childhood. My intention has been fourfold: 1) to support families and teachers in taking care of and educating children; 2) to explore the big ideas that link the natural world and human culture to teaching, learning, and childhood; 3) to critically examine the United States and North American societies from the  vantage point of different understandings of childhood and different forms of the care, education and solicitude of children; 4) and to be an advocate for children. I hope that some people have found it helpful in working with and taking care of children in any capacity, and in thinking about the larger issues involved with how a society understands childhood and raises, educates and enculturates its children. As a son, parent, grandparent, former education professor, current early childhood teacher, outdoor educator and a critical theorist of childhood, writing this blog has allowed me to continuously rethink my understanding of childhood and helped me become a better teacher and a more enlightened human being. I see it as my responsibility to share what I learn and be as useful as possible in being an advocate for children.

My goals this year are to reach a wider audience and to find ways to make this blog a more interactive and collaborative venture. My mantra, taken from the sociolinguist, cultural theorist and philosopher Bahktin, is “Truth is not born, nor is it to be found inside the head of an individual person, it is born between people collectively searching for truth, in the process of their dialogic interaction.” As I look for ways to find a broader audience and find ways to collectively search for the truth with all the relevant parties, I beseech anyone and everyone engaged with the care, education or study of children to spread the word, get involved in the progressive education movement, and contact me with questions, comments, criticisms, proposals, and any other feedback to, or extension of, my work. For my part, I will continue to share stories and songs, write a monthly article on things to do with children outdoors, highlight extraordinary teachers and wonderful, important ideas, and explore the role of childhood and children in contemporary culture.

Just last week, a colleague and I were teaching the children the song, “We Shall Overcome. I was trying to emphasize how it is a living song, that we can add verses to it to address changing circumstances such as “We will respect the earth/ We will respect the earth/ We will respect the earth, some day/ Deep in our hearts/ We do believe/ We shall overcome one day.” As we stood in the hallway, helping the kids get ready to go outside, we were talking about how thrilling it was, how humbling it is, to be entrusted with and responsible for the care and education of each one of these amazing and wonderful young children. Everything seemed possible. No challenge or problem seemed insurmountable as long as we stayed curious, teachable, open and present to each day, were willing to work together and bring our best selves to the work, and keep the best interests of the children and each child, first and foremost in our minds. We shall overcome indeed!

The song of the week is We Shall Overcome, one version by Pete Seeger and the other by Mahalia Jackson. Enjoy these two versions, find other performances that inspire you, and keep the song alive by passing it on to your children. Thank you for all your support and I look forward to writing about nature, culture, teaching, learning and childhood for many years to come!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTyKJjj2oC0