Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  COVID-Related Discussion Guidelines

    Posted 08-16-2021 12:54 PM

    Hello members and friends,

    NAEYC staff have been following the recent threads on COVID-related discussion carefully and would like to remind our members and participants in HELLO that while we encourage lively and even passionate debate between members, this forum is expected to be civil. Political discussions are not allowed on HELLO and these recent COVID-related discussions have demonstrated the need for expanded guidelines about what is and is not allowed on this platform.

    The focus of this list is discussion and dialogue around specific topics in early education. While these discussions clearly impact and influence early childhood education, this is not a forum to argue about science, and NAEYC staff are not expert scientists with the capacity to review each and every post for what constitutes misinformation. We look to the following trusted sources for COVID-related recommendations: 

    With respect to COVID-related discussion on HELLO, which includes masking and vaccines, we are adding the following guidelines:   

    • People MAY express their views, questions, concerns, agreements, disagreements about what our federal, state, and local governments, school districts, and programs are planning, considering, implementing to ensure a safe early education experience for students, teachers and staff.
    • People MAY NOT post negative or positive comments directly about the science behind the vaccines, masks, etc. 

    Those who want to debate the science itself with decision-makers can and are encouraged to express their views with them directly but not on HELLO; those who want to debate the impact of policies on educators, families, and students are welcome to do so here. We realize this can be a difficult line to follow, but are attempting to be fair and not shut down important discussions between members.

    Again, from our organizational perspective, we urge all members, educators, and early learning professionals to make practice decisions consistent with the public health expertise and guidelines of the CDC and the AAP, and in keeping with the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct for our profession, and we appreciate the robust discussion and passion of the early childhood educators in our communities.

    Thank you,



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    Mary Samour
    Online Community Manager
    National Association for the Education of Young Children
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  • 2.  RE: COVID-Related Discussion Guidelines

    Posted 08-17-2021 12:26 AM
    Covid 19 is not a joking affair and it hurts to see these young children struggling with masks on their faces. I can just imagine the way I feel with mask on, then how about the Toddlers I am working with? I believe in sciences and as per my experiences in the field of child development and education. The research based sciences in education, especially in early childhood wood education that I have been part of, for 34 years has improved a lot by bringing innovative pedagogy in the way we nurture children and set learning spaces. Yes, this brings me to the science of covid 19. Lets follow the science and the CDC guidelines, let every Educator especially those working from birth to 12 years get the vaccine for the interests of the children, and,  so do the parents. God help us!!# LET ALL THE EDUCATORS and  school workers take the vaccine, my take


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    ELIZABETH JACKSON
    Teacher
    WBCDC LAUREL
    Silver Spring MD
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  • 3.  RE: COVID-Related Discussion Guidelines

    Posted 08-18-2021 12:41 PM
    Thank you Mary for posting. Everyone has an opinion, and we are all not going to agree.  Sometimes I just scroll thru comments because they have nothing to do with ECE, and that is why I subscribe to this group email for the input regarding what works for children.

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    Allyson Ball
    Director
    Imagination Station
    Indianapolis IN
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  • 4.  RE: COVID-Related Discussion Guidelines

    Posted 08-24-2021 04:50 PM
    I agreed with Allyson. Opinions might vary and we respect that. However, the focus should always remain the children, families, and the educators.

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    Denise Calderon
    Plaza Community Services
    Los Angeles CA
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