EYI e-newsletter August 2012 - It's Summer: Let's Play and Learn

It's Summer: Let's Play and Learn

parks collage

Dana Friedman thumbnail

The adage guiding good decision making is to focus on what is important, rather than what is urgent. In early childhood policy, we are constantly forced to battle cuts and crises instead of making systemic changes that would improve the system and prevent the problems from happening again. The child care crisis in Suffolk County provides a stunning example.

Suffolk's problems are due, in part, to the economy: increased need for child care subsidies and fewer resources to meet the need. The County has cut eligibility for child care subsidies from 200% of the poverty level ($46,100 for a family of four) to 100% ($23,050 for a family of four). As a result, parents of 1,200 children were cut from subsidy rolls.

The Empire Justice Center and National Center for Law and Economic Justice sued the County for lack of due process. They won in court, however, there are no funds to reinstate their subsidies; there aren't even enough county staff remaining to administer the subsidies. Another part of the problem is that several years ago, Suffolk had an adjustment made in its subsidy estimates and because future estimates are based on those changes, the county receives insufficient funds to meet the increasing need. Not only are families suffering, but child care programs that take subsidized children also suffer as enrollment drops. So, if a miracle occurred and Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that millions were available for child care, would you invest it in Suffolk subsidies or in system building?

-Dana Friedman, president, The Early Years Institute

Hot Topics In the News

The National Wildlife Foundation's Dirt on Dirt Report explains that children who play outside and get dirty have healthier immune systems, hearts and skin. Grime is good and enhances learning for all children! Read on

Education Week discusses Creativity Research Journal's recent report on play and the imaginations of young children. While children have less time for play, their imaginations are more active. Read on

The Wall Street Journal's Lab Journal reports that child-development experts are recognizing the importance of imagination and make-believe in the development of young children. Read on

Education Week's Schooled in Sports blog shares a recent study from the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition. The study shows that the amount of time children watch television each day is negatively correlated with their weight and levels of fitness.
Read on

The Urban Child Institute shares how playtime can foster kindergarten readiness skills. Read on

EYI in the Community

EYI Redefines School Readiness on Long Island for All Children

The national Hearst Foundations has made a general support grant to help EYI implement our school readiness campaign in Westbury and develop plans for a second community. This grant will enable us to amplify our work with parents, teachers, pediatricians, librarians, park rangers and church leaders to help communities invest in young children.

National Night Out 2012

On August 7, EYI staff participated in National Night Out 2012: America's Night Out Against Crime hosted by the North Shore and Family Guidance Center at Martin "Bunky" Reid Park in Westbury. The 29th annual crime & drug prevention event attracted hundreds of Westbury and New Cassel residents, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations, and local officials together to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. EYI was in attendance to connect the idea of safe, outdoor places to play as part of its school readiness campaign in Westbury.

Events, Trainings and Workshops

Are you hosting an upcoming event for families, a professional training or workshop?
Let us know! Email all details so EYI can add it to our "Events" calendar.
Send to: info@eyi.org

Click here for information: EYI Events Calendar

Where the Learning is Always Free

A child-friendly online resource of over 700 Long Island parks.

At PickaPark.org, you can pick your park by zip code or amenities such as bathrooms, wide pathways for strollers, refreshments, playgrounds and benches in the shade.