"Beloved Children of 2010, When you open the time capsule and read this letter, you may be surprised to discover that dozens of people have devoted many hours in 1998 thinking about you. We seek to create a future that affirms, protects, respects, and develops your considerable potential as 21st century Americans. Ultimately, you yourselves will be the judge of the extent to which our vision was accurate or our hopes for you have been realized. . ."

Children of 2010 addresses some of the issues and problems involved in making democracy work for the next generation of children. The book is based on a series of dialogues conducted in 1998 by a group of national leaders who are involved in creating a better future for children, youth, and their families. Readers are invited to form dialogue groups to explore these issues and to become active in solving problems that will contribute to an inclusive democracy for all of our children.

Editors Valora Washington and J. D. Andrews explain in their introductory pages that in the 21st century no single racial or ethnic group will constitute a majority of the U.S. population. "This means that democracy will require an unprecedented level of cooperation, communication, and teamwork among people who are different."

The National Association for the Education of Young Children sponsored this series of three dialogue sessions with the overall theme Children of 2010. The first dialogue focused on "Exploring the Knowledge Base," encompassing projections of demographics and the barriers that young people -- and their parents -- face when attempting to gain fair access to resources for education and personal development. The second dialogue addressed "Best Practices," seeking to identify the underlying principles and attributes of promising child development programs. In the third session participants moved toward establishing a vision for the children of 2010. The dialogue participants captured the groups’ reflections and vision by writing a "time capsule" letter to the children of 2010, an excerpt of which is quoted above. p> Now it’s up to us to read and talk about this book and to: Adapt it! Extend it! Act on it! Integrate it! You can purchase the book for $7 plus shipping and handling from NAEYC by calling (800)424-2460.