The First 1,000 Days is a project run by Irene Caselli and powered by Slow News.
Irene Caselli is a journalist. Slow News is the first Italian “slow journalism” project.
You can contact Irene at irene[at]slow-news.com.
Legal information:
Slow News StP Srl
via Eugenio Carpi 23, 20131 Milano.
VAT number: IT09962490968.
Mail: info[at]slow-news.com
Pec: slownewssrl[at]legalmail.it
The first 1,000 days of life shape every day that follows.
We need to know more about them.
A beat by Irene Caselli
Latest in your inbox
How to turn chores into fun moments
I often catch myself feeling guilty when it comes to my children. Whenever I feel bored, unwilling to play, or I’m incapable of transforming a hint of a meltdown into an opportunity to have fun, I have to remember to try to be kind to
Forever in the archive
Daycares are big business
Last week I sent a link to a survey, asking you to help shape this newsletter. It takes just between 5 and 10 minutes to complete, and I will add your name to a prize draw if you answer by 3 March. You can find the
Help shape early childhood journalism
You might have seen that last month a huge campaign was launched in the UK by Kate Middleton to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development. It aims to make early childhood development “one of the most strategically important topics of our time”.
The real reasons screens are babysitting our kids
You would have to be living in a cave these days not to have heard of CoComelon, El Reino Infantil, A Galinha Pintadinha or Il Pulcino Pio, depending on what your language of choice is. These YouTube shows for kids are everywhere: you hear the
Why your birthing experience matters
This story talks about obstetric violence and infant death. If this is too much for you, please skip it. There is no collection of helpful resources that I have found, but feel free to reach out and I may be able to help you find
This newsletter turns two — thanks to you!
Happy 2023, dear reader, and thanks for your continued support. A special thanks to those who sent a one-off donation via Paypal (you can still do so here) and to those who picked up a membership here. Also an apology: this newsletter was supposed to go out
Please help me advocate for childhood development
Since the birth of my son León at the end of October, I’ve been living in a state of constant wonder. Wonder that my body was capable of giving life, again, after two losses. Wonder that this being who was growing inside of me can
How to fight less with your kids at home
Dear reader, I am on maternity leave, and I scheduled this story before I took a break so that you wouldn’t miss me too much. You will be receiving my newsletters every two weeks until 19 January. Some, like this below, will be older stories
How we’re raising future politicians
Dear reader, I am on maternity leave, and I scheduled this story before I took a break so that you wouldn’t miss me too much. You’ll be receiving my newsletters every two weeks until 19 January — a mix of new content and some older
My life-changing encounter with an Iranian activist
Protests in Iran have been happening for over a month now. They were originally sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman who had been detained by morality police. The protests seem to have spread also to Iran’s Evin
Why maternity leave is crucial
Over the past few weeks, I felt that my pregnancy had become a chore. I was trying to stay fit by going to yoga and walking. I was also trying to get enough sleep (because you never know) and being in touch with friends before
Forever in the archive:
Wrongs ideas about childbirth are common
📢 Next Thursday 13 October, I am moderating a panel on how to look at the climate crisis through the eyes of a child. It has an exciting line-up that promises lots of insight: Robert Hughes, a public health researcher and lecturer on early childhood
The most expensive and dangerous place for children
Last year, I left Lorenzo with my mother for an hour so that I could do a therapy session. We were visiting my parents’ house in Naples. When I finished, I came out, and Lorenzo was in tears, screaming, Voglio la mia mamma, I want
It’s time to talk about obstetric violence
**Warning: this piece handles obstetric violence, and goes into some graphic details. If this has affected you and you have not received support, feel free to send me an email and I will try and help you find the right resources in your country.Images: Courtesy
Routines are great, but have you tried spontaneity?
📢 On 21 September, I am moderating a panel on how losing a caregiver can impact a child’s health and what are possible ways to protect them in the future. It will feature Charles H. Zeanah, professor of psychiatry & pediatrics at Tulane University, and one
The invisible load holds women back
This morning, as I was driving back from dropping my son off for a few hours with his babysitter, I blasted music on the car stereo and sang along with Rino Gaetano, an Italian singer-songwriter who died before I was born. “Ma il cielo è
Summer is great for everyone except parents
There is a poem by Gianni Rodari, the Italian children’s book writer I can’t stop raving about, that has always stayed with me. It’s called “Ferragosto”, after the name of the Italian public holiday that falls on 15 August, and it’s about children who can’t afford to
Why you shouldn’t spank a child
A disturbing investigation by Brazil’s Agência Pública and online platform openDemocracy has uncovered that Brazil’s religious homeschooling groups, supported by ultraconservative U.S. associations, are giving parents instructions on how to spank their children while dodging the law. There are several ways to think about this
What happened when a friend saw me yell at my child
Last year, someone who was close to me and my family joined us for a week while we were in Italy. This was one of our usual trips where my partner and I combine work, seeing friends and family, and possibly squeezing in a few
The life-changing power of reading aloud
When I was pregnant with my son Lorenzo, I would often sit down and read aloud to my belly. I wouldn’t read just anything. My plan was to get him acquainted with my all-time favourite author who gave me my first experiences as an independent
What it’s like to flee a forest fire
One afternoon last year, I fled my home with my family as the hill above my home burned. I’d had time to pack only some laptops and hard discs (don’t ask me why), passports and a change of clothes for my son, Lorenzo, who was
Become a member right now!
If you want to try it out first, sign up here to my newsletter for free.