If you were a child in your own program, how would you like to be treated?

I don't want to be bossed around.
I want freedom of choice.
I want to be looked up to.
I want to be recognized as an individual.
I want opportunities to be creative.
I would like people to be happy to see me.
I want to feel safe.
I want to be treated with kindness.
I want people to be patient with me.
I want people to not be in a hurry.
I want to be listened to.
I want to know that my contributions are valued.
I want to feel part of the community.
I want the opportunity to learn from my mistakes by fixing them.
I want to be included in decisions that are made.

I invite us all to create spaces for children that treat all children, and their families this way.

I invite us all to create policies that treat all early educators, directors, administrators, families, neighbors, and children this way as well.

Then we would have systems of integrity that treat everyone top to bottom in ways that resonate with our humanity.

—Tom Drummond