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A message from Nancy Rosenow, Exchange’s Publisher:

There are many things I don’t know in this time of uncertainty, but here’s one I do: we all need each other. And we need each other’s most authentic selves. Now is not the time to keep an impersonal professional distance. We need to reach out (virtually) as fellow human beings and become a source of strength for one another. We must make sure that even though our borders are sealed, our hearts are not.

Normally when I put together an ExchangeEveryDay column, I keep myself out of it. I quote from resources I hope you’ll find helpful, or highlight a thought-provoking article, but I don’t express my own opinion.

Today is different. I want to come out from behind the scenes to say that I’m in this with you. As the Executive Director of Dimensions Foundation, which purchased Exchange Press from Bonnie and Roger Neugebauer when they moved on to other pursuits, I know the early childhood world intimately. I’ve been an educator, administrator and trainer, and in fact, Dimensions Foundation operates its own early childhood programs. So my heart feels deeply connected with all of you right now. My admiration for your commitment to children and families during this difficult time is immense.

While looking for words of hope to share today, I started synchronistically receiving encouraging messages and gifts from friends. The Neugebauers (who are still great sources of support for Exchange and for me) sent a little book by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonny Sun, called Gmorning, Gnight: Little Pep Talks for You and Me. Here’s an example of one day’s short but sweet encouraging words for when you wake up and when you head to bed:

“Good morning.
Lead with gratitude.
The air in your lungs, the sky above you.
Proceed from there.

Good night.
Curl up with gratitude.
For the ground beneath you, your beating heart.
Proceed from there.”

And one friend told me this: “Let’s call it physical distancing, not social distancing. We can keep our social connections even when we’re not physically together.” Great advice.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Carl Jung that acknowledges how important our work is and why doing it with our whole hearts is a gift to the future:

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child."
– Carl Jung

Take care of you,
Nancy

P.S. if you haven’t yet seen our survey, asking what support you most need from Exchange right now, we would love your thoughts: https://dimensionsfoundation.wufoo.com/forms/woqe8j50b5fdt9/

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