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Elliot’s Provocations

Elliot’s Provocations unpacks current events in the early learning world and explores how we can chart a path to a future where all children can flourish. Regarding the title, if you’re not steeped in early childhood education (ECE) lingo, a “provocation” is the field’s term—taken from the Reggio-Emilia philosophy of early education—for offering someone the opportunity to engage with an idea.

We hope this monthly column does that: provocations are certainly not answers, but we hope Elliot’s Provocations helps you pause and consider concepts in a different way.

How Congress Can Still Save Child Care

Elliot Haspel·September 1, 2022·4 min read

While there is much to celebrate about the Inflation Reduction Act, one group was left on the outside looking in: parents with young children.

New Year’s Resolutions for the Early Learning Community

Elliot Haspel·January 4, 2022·7 min read

2021 was a momentous year for early childhood care & education. The field suffered blow after blow from COVID and then a knock-on staffing crisis; received nearly $50 billion in rescue funds to temporarily patch the gaping leaks; and is ending the year on the precipice of receiving enough public funds through the Build Back Better Act to finally become a stable and healthy sector.

O Canada(’s Child Care Progress)

Elliot Haspel·October 1, 2021·4 min read

While the U.S. is busy debating whether or not to finally invest in our failing child care system, Canada is busy doing it.

Principles for Implementing the Build Back Better Bill

Elliot Haspel·November 3, 2021·4 min read

It feels bizarre to be writing these words, but the U.S. stands on the verge of a real early learning system.

School Readiness and the Tyranny of Merit, Part 1

Elliot Haspel·August 2, 2022·11 min read

While we see the tyranny of merit most active in K-12 and higher education, school readiness is the Trojan horse through which it has breached the world of early childhood.

School Readiness and the Tyranny of Merit, Part 2

Elliot Haspel·August 2, 2022·9 min read

What, in the end, do we want young children (and young parents) to be ready for? For a nation that forces you to run a race before your legs can even hold your own weight, or a nation that says ‘we’ve got you, take your time’?

States, Time to Step Up on Child Care

Elliot Haspel·March 1, 2022·8 min read

Elliot’s Provocations unpacks current events in the early learning world and explores how we can chart a path to a...

The Child Care Sector Starts to Flex Its Muscles

Elliot Haspel·May 17, 2022·4 min read

Child care has traditionally been a politically quiet sector. I don’t mean there hasn’t been resolute advocacy, but that has largely (though certainly not entirely) happened behind the scenes -- at least in the U.S. there isn’t a long history of major public actions such as protests and strikes.

The Many Cases for Child Care

Elliot Haspel·July 5, 2022·5 min read

Back in May, I had the privilege to present the closing keynote address at the Child Care Services Association annual conference in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. One point that several attendees told me resonated was when I showed that you can make many different arguments for child care, although advocates tend to focus primarily on only a few.

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