 It has been an exciting week with both the President of the United States and the Governor or New York uttering the words we have been saying for years about why early childhood education is important and committing themselves to new investments in pre-K, home visiting, community schools and Early Head Start. President Obama said, "In states that make it a priority to educate our youngest children...studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, form more stable families of their own. We know this works. So let's do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind." It is now time to make sure the rhetoric aligns with the budget. Enjoy the limelight, but remember to stay vigilant. Our efforts obviously matter. -Dana Friedman, president, The Early Years Institute |
 Public Policy in Early Childhood |
President Obama's Plan for Early Education for all Americans, The White House, Office of the Press Secretary. (February 13, 201) Read more
Advocates Cheer President's Early Childhood Proposal
New York Nonprofit Press (February 13, 2013) "President Barack Obama electrified the early childhood services community last night when he made universal access to pre-school a key policy priority as part of his State of the Union address." Read more
National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) - New York Early Childhood Profile State policies that promote health, education and strong families that can help early childhood development and school readiness of America's youngest children. Read more |
Hot Topics in the News |
Tough critique of Common Core on early childhood education, posted by Valerie Stauss of the Washington Post, and written by Edward Miller and Nancy Carlsson-Paige Read more
The Center for American Progress released its report "Investing in Our Children
A Plan to Expand Access to Preschool and Child Care" in early February. Highlights include universal access to high quality pre-K, alignment from pre-K through 3rd grade and increased access to affordable, quality child care. Read more
Arne Duncan On Early Education: "Access Will Be Key Piece Of Obama's Second Term" by Huffington Post education writer Joy Resmovits. Read more
Arne Duncan Defends No Child Left Behind Waivers in Senate Committee Hearing. Read more "Do Early Outdoor Experiences Help Build Healthier Brains? More natural environments can soften the blow of toxic stress in early childhood." by Richard Louv in People in Nature. Psychology Today Read more New York Post writer Susan Edelman shares how the new educational standards are stressing out kindergarteners. Read more |
School Readiness in Westbury
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Since 2009, EYI has introduced and implemented several new school readiness programs in the Westbury School District and in partnership with the EYI Westbury Leadership Team - the Early Development Instrument (EDI), Pediatric Residency Training, Community Cafes, Transition to Kindergarten, a STEM Nature-focused Curriculum for Ages 3 to Grade 3 - all designed to have a positive effect on children's readiness to succeed in school and life. The outcomes are focused on building essential learning skills - literacy, problem-solving, critical thinking, social competence, emotional maturity and communications skills - and healthy life style for a better quality of life.
It's Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration Time
Research shows that children who attend school regularly feel better about school and themselves. Regular attendance helps children do well in both school and life. And attendance on the first day of school is an important indicator of later school success. It is helpful to start good attendance habits in pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten! Help ensure that children are enrolled in school before the first day. Promote your local pre-K and Kindergarten registration. Visit your local school district's website for dates and details!
STEM Curriculum Ages 3 to Grade 3 Launches in Westbury
EYI officially launched The STEM Nature Project in the Westbury Union Free School District on February 1, 2013 as a pilot curriculum that demonstrates the inclusiveness of nature and the STEM disciplines. The STEM Nature Project is a ground-breaking initiative that aligns curricula from age 3 to grade 3 to ensure more continuity between childcare, pre-K, and Kindergarten through grade 3. EYI developed this curricula based on research that supports sustained learning...meaning the children are more likely to retain this information as the get older. To date, EYI staff has trained 11 teachers from Westbury Union Free School District (pre-K through grade 3), three teachers from Westbury Head Start and two teachers from Westbury Tender Loving Nursery and Daycare program.
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Events, Trainings, and Workshops
| Mark Your Calendar Your Thursday, March 14;
The Early Years Institute
invites you to celebrate
The Long Island Nature Collaborate for Kids
As We Honor
Angela de Caprariis-Salerno
Planting Fields Arboretum
1395 Planting Fields Road
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Reading and Book Signing of "What If There Was No Color Green?"
Passed Hor D'oeveres and Raffle Drawing
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SAVE THE DATE
April 29 - May 5, 2013
BE SCREEN SMART
Join The Early Years Institute 3rd Annual Screen-Free Week!
A national celebration where children, families, schools and communities spend seven days reducing screen-based entertainment media and turn on life. It's a time to BE SCREEN SMART and find alternative activities that stimulate a child's learning, creativity and spend time with family and friends.
For more information: visit www.eyi.org/screenfree
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 Want to Unplug for 1 day and embrace life? Join as we
Unplug on National Unplugging Day on March 1-2 from sundown to sundown. It's 1 day having fun with out screens - enjoy a meal with family and friends and go play! Post Your Pledge on EYI's Facebook page! A great way to plan for Screen-Free Week and Be Screen Smart
on April 29 - May 5 ------------------------------------------------------ send information to: info@eyi.org |
Play, Learn, and Explore in Nature - Name the Trees! |
 Pickapark.org is an online resource of over 700 Long Island parks where you can pick your park by z ip code or amenities such as bathrooms, wide pathways for strollers, refreshments, playgrounds and benches with shade.
A wintery day for some family fun outdoors
and bring the sleigh!
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Favorite Quote |
"Play is one of the only human endeavors where uncertainty is actually celebrated."
Neuroscientist Beau Lotto |
Through your generosity, EYI improves early learning opportunities for all children in our region to help them achieve success in school and life.
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EYI's Board of Directors
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Jane Ashdown, Ph.D., Chair
Adelphi University
Warren Rosenfeld, M.D., Vice-Chair & SecretaryWinthrop-University Hospital
John Sepe, Treasurer
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Bank of America
Sandy Feinberg, ex-Chair
Middle Country Library
Dr. Constance R. Clark-Snead
Educational Consultant
(former Superintendent)
Erika A. Craven
PHH Arval
Erica Lee-Bendetto
Worldwide Who's Who
Benjamin Malerba
Rivkin Radler LLP
Michael Rainone
ProActive Technology Group, LLC |
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EYI's Media Partners
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Contact Us
| The Early Years Institute
One Dupont Street
Suite 101
Plainview, NY 11803
516.304.5480
516.304.5484 (fax)
info@evi.org
www.evi.org
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