Baby Talk

Teaching artists with an interest in early childhood education, might find this article in the New York Times Sunday Magazine to be of interest.  Ongoing observational studies at Yale, seem to confirm that babies are critical thinkers--they may even be able to tell right from wrong.

I think one of the implications of this research for  teaching artists is the idea that even very young children can create and experience artwork with challenging and complex themes, because they are capable of reflection.

The Moral Life of Babies, By PAUL BLOOM is posted at the New York Times.

History Lessons

Facing History is an extensive curriculum that helps young people grapple with ethical and moral choices. The program fosters civic engagement, and has  a strong local presence in New York City, which includes the Facing History High School.  Professional Development for educators is an essential part of the work, and teaching artists can freely access Facing History lesson plans, and other resources, online.

To learn more, take Facing History's "journey"--an online interactive. 

Facing History is also on Facebook, along with nearly everyone else.

Ethics

Over at the blog Ethics & Arts Education; serious explorations of the role of ethics in arts education today. This one is about the ethical implications of arts cuts in San Diego's public schools.

Hypertext: Over at Powell's we find an excerpt from the book Home by Marilynne Robinson.