Thinking for Ourselves

11/15/2021

We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their color.
Maya Angelou

Dear Exchange Community,

Recent comments from an Exchange Press book buyer and an Exchange magazine author have gotten our attention. The author told us she’s feeling a little information overload trying to keep up with new books and articles, and is experiencing a bit of FOMO (“fear of missing out”) if she doesn’t read them all so she can “stay current.” The buyer, who had recently purchased a new Exchange book, commented that she agreed with some of the book’s content, but not all of it, and wanted to implement ideas in a way that was “right for her program.” She is hoping that “is o.k.”

Here are our thoughts on both of these comments:

1. FOMO is real, but it doesn’t have to be. Especially in the past eighteen months or so, information from changing circumstances has been coming at us with the force of the proverbial firehose. It’s simply not possible to process it all well. Let’s don’t even try. Instead, let’s trust that if we all read what interests us, and occasionally try something that pushes us out of our comfort zone, we’ll be just fine.

2. As for giving ourselves permission to occasionally disagree with some of the content of a book or article – well, that’s what the “exchange” in Exchange Press is all about. Our hope is to provide quality information that encourages serious thinking and debate and clarification of individual values. The old quote by Walter Lippmann seems apt here, “Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.”

One of our favorite “encourage careful thought” books is From Teaching to Thinking by Margie Carter and Ann Pelo. The authors write, “Professional learning is focused on bringing teachers, children, families, and administrators together as a research collective – as a community that learns. Professional learning strengthens the identity of an early childhood program: its touchstone considerations are ‘Who are we as a community?’ and ‘How will we live into our vision?’”

Here’s to doing lots of informed thinking for ourselves!

The Exchange Team

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