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The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education (LI-RTAC). Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important COVID-19-related resources to offer: www.nassauboces.org/rtac
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Staying connected with families can be a challenge during this pandemic; these tools can help you
Sample scripts for text messages and emails, in Spanish as well as English, and a sample survey to determine children's needs--these are some of the resources included in a toolkit developed by NYU Steinhardt*. But, even more important, the materials help teachers focus on how to listen to families in these difficult times.
For instance, the authors remind us that families are the experts on their children, and may also have practices they're using at home that you can share with other parents or colleagues. And they reassure teachers that even though some conversations with parents may be upsetting, "...it is not your job to solve every problem. Supporting families during this time should be a coordinated effort with you school's mental health specialists, counselors, community partners and family engagement coordinator (if you have one)."
Finally, they encourage teachers to think beyond mothers and fathers when it comes to family engagement. "Right now, it's likely that many children are being cared for by older siblings, grandparents and other family members. It's okay to speak to whomever is most present."
*The
11-page downloadable document is titled "Tools for Educators to Listen To and Learn From Families During COVID-19 School Closures." It was shared and discussed with participants during our recent webinar,
Engaging Families During and Post COVID-19. Presenters Jacob Dixon, Choice for All, and Joanna Geller from NYU gave permission for us to share it with you. There are a few seats left in the last two webinars in our current series,
Engaging Families through Technology: Planning for the Next Normal.
Click here for dates and registration information.
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YOUR CLASSROOM
Now available: revised edition of New York State's Early Learning Guidelines
Copies of the
Guidelines have been mailed to every licensed child care center in the state by the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, and a pdf is available to
download. It was published by the state's Early Childhood Advisory Council, and co-chairs Patricia E. Persell and Sherry M. Cleary explain its role as a "daily resource and reflection tool."
"When you understand child development," they write, "you will be able to anticipate development changes, have reasonable expectations of children's behavior, act with empathy and provide support."
Throughout the
Guidelines, examples are offered of what educators may observe at different stages, from birth to age 8, and how they might support development. For example, when it comes to speaking, a 3-year-old may ask questions and can answer "who," what" and "where" inquiries, but a 5-year-old can initiate and maintain a conversation and can tell a simple story.
Would you like to participate in small-group targeted professional learning sessions on the revised
Guidelines? The New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute is planning sessions now. If you're interested in participating,
click here to fill out a questionnaire about your preferences.
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BOOKSHELF
Talking about race and racism with children? These books may help
It's impossible to avoid news about protests, racism and outrage. Writing in the New
York Times on Tuesday, reporter Jessica Gross talked to pediatricians, psychologists and child health experts and relayed their advice on having conversations about these topics, starting in preschool. And she collected some recommendations for books that might help, especially for nonblack parents. Titles include
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice, a book about a police shooting, and
The Youngest Marcher, a true story about a 9-year-old who was arrested in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement.
Read more.
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COVID-19
You've stayed home. You're wearing masks. Now, answer the phone!
As you know, tracing exposure to COVID-19 is important to stop the spread. The New York State Contact Tracing Program works with confirmed positive people to determine who they've been in contact with. If you have been identified as a contact, you will get a call from "NYS Contact Tracing" (518-387-9993).
Because the disease can be transmitted without symptoms, notifying people about a possible exposure is critical to stopping the spread. If you get a call, please answer. It's confidential and private. For more information and updates, visit the state's pandemic website:
health.ny.gov/coronavirus
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Are you looking for new career opportunities? Learn how you can get a boost from social media
 Long Island's new Early Childhood Career Development Center is offering free lectures on "L.O.L--Linking Opportunities to Learning." You can choose a morning or an evening session on the benefits of LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media tools for career building:
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
OR 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p .m.
Registration:
to register.
NYAEYC has partnered with Prevent Child Abuse NY for timely workshops
The New York Association for the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC) is offering
two sessions this month to support early care providers in their work with children who have undergone Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and, specifically, with families and children during this stressful pandemic. They are free for members and cost $10 for nonmembers. Each session is offered twice--once during the daytime and again in the evening.
Click here for complete information or to register
Trauma Responsive Approaches for Early Care Professionals
Date: June 17, 2020
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. OR 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Supporting Children in the COVID context
Date: June 24, 2020
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. OR 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
From Molloy College: free workshops on strategies for remote learning
Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout June, Molloy faculty are providing free one-hour workshops for educators.
Click here for more information and to register.
Sessions include:
Teacher Collaboration to Support Remote Learning for ELLs
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Presenters: Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld and Dr. Maria Dove
Bringing Inquiry-based STEM Learning to Online Space
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Presenter: Dr. Mubina Schroeder
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About Us
The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Regional Technical Assistance Center, which supports Pre-K and early childhood education on Long Island. The other collaborating partners are the three Long Island BOCES, the Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc., the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. and the Family Leadership Network.
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NASSAU BOCES
71 Clinton Road, Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: (516) 396-2220 Fax: (516)-396-2355
www.nassauboces.org
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