 LINCK Director Hillary Olson and I went to a July conference in Nebraska to meet with others who are creating outdoor nature classrooms. From data collected in three states through hundreds of hours of observation, researchers found the curriculum as alive in outdoor classrooms as it is inside - except that children enjoyed themselves more. There were fewer conflicts and more expressive language used, and 98% of the observed activity involved movement, 97% was intrapersonal, 94% involved language development, and 88% focused on math. For me, the epiphany was that outdoor classrooms are not about recess. They're about the curriculum in a room with a blue and white ceiling. -- Dana E. Friedman, Ed.D., EYI President |
| Dec. 3 conference speakers ready |
| EYI's conference, "We Interrupt this Program: Playing and Learning in the Age of Hyper-Media," will be presented by a dozen speakers with expertise in indoor and outdoor learning and play, plus experts on children and their relationship to media. The conference, which will also feature a keynote by "The World's Worst Mom," Lenore Skenazy, will take place at CA Technologies in Islandia on December 3. Click here for the list of speakers and registration details. |
| EYI vs. VW in "sharing" controversy |
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 The Early Years Institute has asked Volkswagen to stop using a print ad headlined "Teach Your Kids Not to Share." While the ad is for VW's rear seat entertainment system, EYI believes the company is marketing it with the wrong message. "We're not asking to Volkswagen to stop selling entertainment systems," said EYI President Dana Friedman. "But they should market their product responsibly and not be discouraging children from sharing." Read and hear the press coverage here.
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| UNAYO program an outdoor success |
 EYI's first phase of the partnership with the United North Amityville Youth Organization was a great success. Kids ages 8-11 in the UNAYO summer camp learned about environmental education, and taught the youngest children in the camp about nature. The kids met visiting professionals from several environmental fields and took three field trips to outdoor classroom sites across Long Island. |
| BFCU's Rob Suarez joins EYI board |
 The EYI Board of Directors has elected Robert C. Suarez (photo), assistant vice president of community development at Bethpage Federal Credit Union (BFCU), to serve on its board. At BFCU, Rob Suarez is responsible for working with charitable giving and community outreach programs. He and his wife have a son and a daughter. |
| EYI & Early Head Start team up |
| EYI will work with Early Head Start (EHS) center staff in Patchogue, Central Brookhaven and Central Islip to provide play coaches to enhance their monthy socialization groups with parents of young children and expectant mothers. EYI will supply educational resources, tools, ideas and one-on-one visits to EHS staff from November through May. |
