ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

Georgia has been an advocate and an innovative leader in the field of early childhood education for a long time. Obama was only stating the obvious. I would hardly call such an experience unprecedented.

I am with others. Someone on his staff has to know person-first language right?

I wish we could send his staff a quick one-pager for Kathie Snow (sp?) on using strengths-based language. I have heard him use it before, however someone on his Education team HAD to have proofed that speech, right?

I was so excited reading it all and then I got to "disabled" children and cringed. He has such a platform to be able to foster person first language in our society and our world for that matter. I think I will send the White House an email. I cannot think of anything else to do...

This is truly historic! Thank you President Obama! Now walk your talk! ;)

This is truly historic! Thank you President Obama! Now walk your talk! ;)

Do we really want to give the people responsible for NCLB and Common Core any more influence over what happens to the youngest and most vulnerable children? Unless people with real expertise in Early Childhood are included in the planning process and their opinions are respected I am afraid the outcome of more government involvement will be a disater.

While I find it encouraging that the President found time to visit an appropriate early childhood classroom and especially that he seemed to recognize and appreciate the value of a play based environment, I hope that one of his aides can help him learn "child first" language so that he will see "children with disabilities" and not disabled children!

I find it interesting that he commented on the benefits of children of different socio-economic groups being in a room together, and yet his proposal focuses on programs for low and middle income children.

It is yet to be seen what Obama considers quality childcare for the under 5 year old. I am unimpressed with his as well as his Secretary of Education's policies for education as of yet. Let's m ake sure they really visit quality programs....not just programs with beautiful furniture and computers to keep children occupied. Let's see if they really understand that play is the basis of long time learner improvements as well as deep social engagement and problem solving. Let's have some real early childhood experts from Bank Street, Stanford and Columbia Teachers College have input on these programs rather than lawyers.

I voted for President Obama. Not because I'm black/African American but because of his support of early childhood education. I wish I could have posted this article on my Facebook page. Thanks for all you do.
Christina