FYI from EYI Newsletter...NYS updates, Sands Point Outdoor Classroom Opens

Dana Friedman thumbnail

New York is looking to reclaim its prominence in early childhood system building. On October 19, the Early Learning Challenge Grant proposal was submitted to the federal government. New York is being considered for $100 million that, if received, will support the full launch of QualitystarsNY, the quality rating system we have been building for the past six years. Governor Cuomo's approval of the grant proposal signifies his agreement to move ahead with QualitystarsNY. The grant will also lead to the development of a kindergarten assessment process and the completion of a cross-agency data system that will provide significantly more information on child and family needs and progress. There are so many people in Albany and around the state who helped pull this extraordinary proposal together. New York is very deserving of this grant and is poised well to have us become a leader of early childhood innovations once again.

-- Dana Friedman, president, The Early Years Institute

Sensory Play in Nature...

Fall is one of the best seasons for children to partake in sensory play. Sensory play involves active engagement using at least one of our senses including touch, smell, taste, see or hear. It encourages creativity and helps build gross and fine motor and social skills, as well as foster cognitive development.

A family friendly sensory experience can happen almost anywhere. An ideal 1.0566037735849056 location could be a local park or your own backyard. A sensory experience could be picking-up leaves while taking a walk, listening to the sound of dried leaves crunching under your feet, touching an apple while apple picking or the scent of a pie baking in the oven. When it's time to eat, ask your child or children if they can taste any of the ingredients they smelled while making the pie. Pairing these basic sensory activities with conversation about what your children are seeing, touching, tasting, feeling or hearing encourages creativity, communication skills and fosters cognitive development. Best of all, they are fun activities!

Looking for a great place to go out in nature to play while engaging your senses? Why don't you go to The Early Years Institute searchable database, Pick-A-Park? Whether from your desktop, tablet or mobile phone, you can choose a park by zip and amenities for some family-fun time in nature.

Friends of Sands Point Preserve Celebrate the Opening of their Nature Outdoor Classroom...

Linda, Vincent and Peter Dejana with children

On Sunday October 2nd, the Friends of Sands Point Preserve celebrated the opening of the Phil Dejana Learning Center at the Sands Point Preserve. "This day will be remembered as the day an important education initiative was launched and a journey for students commenced. Thank you to Peter Dejana and his family for renewing the educational experience at the Sands Point Preserve. It is a bold essential step to teach children to appreciate and protect the environment for generations to come," according to Jean-Marie Posner, Vice-Chair of the Friends of Sands Point Preserve. (photo - Linda, Vincent and Peter Dejana with children attending the Dedication Ceremony of the Phil Dejana Learning Center at the Sands Point Preserve on October 2, 2011).

Phil Dejana Learning Center and nature outdoor classroom

(photo - The Phil Dejana Learning Center offers educational nature programs for children and families in the newly renovated indoor learning space and outdoor classroom.

EYI and the Long Island Nature Collaborative for Kids are very excited to have the fifth outdoor classroom accessible to the public providing another way for children to reconnect with nature. We encourage all families to check out DeJana Learning Center at the Friends Sands Point Preserve.

The Roots of Migration on School Readiness

Roots of Migration Mexico 2011

Helen Dorado Alessi, EYI's senior vice president, just returned from a "life changing" experience in Oaxaca and Matias Romero, Mexico. Through the generous support of The Hagedorn Foundation and the Witness for Peace organization, a group of 15 Long Island leaders spent the last week understanding the roots of migration to the United States and Long Island. I am so proud to have been included to experience this truly inspiring week filled with in-depth understanding of the Mexican history, economy, culture, issues of migration and the impact of U.S. policy on Mexico and Central America.

As EYI continues to work toward school readiness for all Long Island children, we will work with educators to help them understand the challenges that children and families face during their transition to the Long Island community and school system. Helen commented, "I will forever be grateful to our wonderful hosts, the Mexican thought leaders and fellow Long Island professionals." She also added, "I look forward to continuing the conversation here on Long Island as the Long Island delegate group hosts, Tony Macias, of Witness for Peace, and Jacqueline Garcia, of Jesuit Migrant Service, will be visiting us during the week of November 1st through the 7th. Please stay tuned for the details."

Brain Growth by Age 3...

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