Are We Afraid to Talk about Love? Please Comment

Dear Exchange Community,

Last Monday, we quoted Ashely Montagu’s article, in one of the Art of Leadership books, where he wrote, “the teaching of love should be the central core of all early childhood curriculum – with all other subjects growing naturally out of such teaching.”

Two public comments on that ExchangeEveryDay were intriguing. Francis Wardle wrote that “While I totally agree with this view, I bet you can’t find love in any state early childhood standards.” And Joyce Kinney wrote: “Love this concept. I’m wondering about resources for accomplishing this. I can think of several but the word “love” isn’t included in the why’s of using specific strategies such as the Pyramid. Are we afraid of talking specifically about love?”

It’s a great question, so we’re asking you, Exchange readers, what you think. Is the early childhood field afraid to talk about love? And if so, why is that?

We’ve been looking at some of our Exchange resources which we think address the importance of love in early care and education: Illuminating Care, Heart-Centered Teaching Inspired by Nature and Happiness is Running through the Streets to Find You. But perhaps we need to be more explicit about using the word love?

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts (in the comments) on this important topic. We’d love to hear from you.

With gratitude,
Your Exchange Team

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