I believe that this article is a good reflection of the hard work and struggle that educators of early childhood have had to push through to advocate for themselves and young children.

I love the way this is stated because this is how I sometimes feel about the current state of early childhood education.

I love the two co-teachers in a classroom and the practice of working with the same children for three years. The children in my classroom are there for a short time and then move to the next classroom up. This is sometimes stressful for me because I build good relationships with the children and parents. As their teacher I I would like to advance to the next class with the children to keep the momentum going.

In my opinion, this is a strong statement on teachers and education. Also a strong statement about reimagining the image of the child. The image of the competent and capable child is a matter of a change of mindset for a lot of people. Especially for many early childhood teachers and parents of the young children who see rote learning as the best way to teach.

I believe it is important to recognize the value in the outdoor environment as much as the the indoor environment as spaces for learning. A lot can be learned and a lot of developmental skills can happen outside. In my experience as a teacher I have known children who prefer an outdoor learning environment.

How often does anyone think of taking the classroom outside where children are drawn into the space and to the materials to make a statement about early childhood reform?

I like the use of the word woven to describe the relationship between these three. This word gives the impression that each one is as needed as the others. And when put together give a complete picture.

It is wonderful that infants are included as listeners. We all most likely have had some experience with an infant, so we understand that infant cries are their communication to us adults. Infants are beautiful listeners. The infant's head and body will turn toward us when they hear our voice and they will use behavior to demand that we listen to them.

I love that listening is an active verb. Giving meaning to the message by the listener can be challenging. The toddlers in my class are always giving me clues through their behavior to what is happening with them, and in return, as a listener, I need to give meaning to their message, especially when it is challenging behavior.

When I read this I thought about how emotional listening really is. It is hard to put emotions aside when listening and this sometimes causes misinterpretation of what we hear. Sometimes we get caught in emotions when listening and start forming our own opinions, which can cause us to stop listening. Listening can stimulate very powerful emotions in people.

I like the use of the word 'invites' coming from the teacher. and 'offer their thoughts' for the children. I see this as a powerful way to to involve children in their learning and take ownership of the project. A respectful exchange of teaching and learning.

When the word "learning" is used with "child," a new perspective or image of the child changes.

The co-constructor of knowledge has become important to me in the way that I use the curriculum but the reality of what happens with the activity changes. the children see the activity differently and take it in a new direction or it takes on a life of its own.

I believe this is true of good teaching practice. Children's needs are changing almost by the day, especially toddlers. What a child needs or is feels one day may change another day.

The right for children to pretend is not important to teachers in early childhood education. I have seen in preschool rooms with children as young as 2.5, that play is being replaced with stations or centers where children's play is timed. It seems that academics is becoming important when play and pretending are what the children need.

The idea that we, as teachers, need to be open, need to change our ideas, we need to be comfortable with the restless nature of life is sometimes difficult for me because I am someone who likes to follow a schedule. I can be flexible but sometimes it is uncomfortable.

Growing comfortable with the unknown is great to remember. Sometimes, as a teacher, I have planned the morning for the children and then something else gets their attention. This is when I need to put aside my ideas and follow the children's lead or interests. This is harder to do on somedays.

I love that it is mentioned that children can sense and see the spirit of what is going on with the adults in their world. The actions and big emotions of the toddlers in my class gives me a little glimpse into their life

Interesting that our internal images of children and the environment affects our interactions with different children in our class.

The sentence about teachers are not considered baby-sitters teaching basic skills but rather they are seen as learners along with the children (*Teachers and children as partners in learning} is an example of the standard and high level placed on early childhood education in Italy. Children have value and are deserving of a strong early education. Teachers are valued and supported as competent educators beyond caretaking.

I believe that the care and education of America's young children is talked about but not seriously. Although the care and education in Italy is valued more than the U.S. the progress was not fast and easy to achieve.

The fact that Reggio Emilia educators continue their research in education of early childhood as well as the education of other countries looks as though there are high standards and expectations of educators.