Being mindful, heartful, and ecological in early years care and education

Abstract

We have been in the postmodern turn for some time in early years care and education. As a result, much has been said and written about what policies, theories, and practices we no longer wish to see govern us. However, alternative ways of being in the world with young children still are reticent to take hold. Proposed here is a turn East, a turn inward, and a return to our roots for wisdom to guide, inspire, and challenge us. Moment to moment living and being with self, others, and the Earth in deep humility, compassion, and empathy is explored as a pedagogical alternative to the doing ways of conventional early childhood practice.