If you are a parent worried about the academic success of your young child, this is an excellent book for you. You might be surprised about what you find out. If your young child is suffocating under an avalanche of worksheets, here is something that will breathe new life into your conversations with your school. If you are a teacher or child care provider who is feeling pressure from parents or administrators to eliminate quality play experiences at your school or day care, this is the book for you. Consider using this tool to change the conversation and help get your program back on track, or keep your school the playful learning place you want it to be.

I first heard about this powerful new book from colleagues at the NAEYC (National Association of the Education of Young Children) annual conference in Washington, DC last month. I have not received money to endorse this book, I merely aim to spread the word.

I’ll write more about the conference in the upcoming weeks, but right now I really need to go play with my 5 year-old sons! In the meantime…check out The Forum for Education & Democracy, “a national education ‘action tank’ committed to the public, democratic role of public education – the preparation of engaged and thoughtful democratic citizens.”

The fourteen original conveners, some of whom spoke at the Fall Forum, are working to level the playing field. In her opening remarks, Gloria Ladson-Billings re-framed the question of how to close the “achievement gap”. She believes in finding ways our country can compensate for the massive “education debt”. The responsibility falls on all of us to work at redistributing resources. Did you know that urban districts spend about $10,000 less per student (per year) than other districts?Check out The Forum for Education & Democracy site for powerful information and ways to get involved.