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Here's the latest news from The Long Island Pre-K Initiative, your source for
expert training and useful resources:
www.nassauboces.org/pre-k
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From playing doctor to dodging the "Coronaball," children's play is mirroring the pandemic (and when to worry about it)
Early educators know that play is the language of children, so it will come as no surprise that there are reports of pandemic themes in imaginative games. Writing for The Atlantic, Kate Cray shares stories of youngsters "playing CPR" or examining their siblings with toy doctor kits and announcing they've tested positive.
Why is this happening? "[Children] act out scenarios as a way to express concerns, ask questions and, crucially, reshape a narrative," says
Cray. "In a pretend scenario, children are driving the plot and can change the outcome of a scary situation to try out
different solutions to a problem."
For the most part, such play isn't a cause for concern--it's an important way for children to process their feelings and shouldn't be discouraged. But there may be times when an intervention is called for. For example, parents should take note if play takes a dark turn and children seem anxious while they're playing. Cray interviewed author Abigail Gerwitz, whose forthcoming book is titled
When the World Feels Like a Scary Place: Essential Conversations for Anxious Parents and Worried Kids. Gerwitz suggests that parents do listen in, fact check misconceptions about the Coronavirus and brainstorm ways to feel safe.
Cray concludes: "While play can harbor children's deepest worries, it can also be a place for them to practice their creative problem-solving."
Read more.
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YOUR (VIRTUAL) CLASSROOM
Three ways storytelling is helping children during this pandemic
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) knows how important stories are for children--especially for preschoolers. "[They're] how families, cultures and communities share information, values, emotions, hopes, and beliefs." And stories are
helping children process the Coronavirus crisis. Specifically:
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Pretend it's the 1980's and other strategies for supporting vulnerable students in this time of remote learning
Writing for Education Week, teacher Sarah Said reflects on managing distance learning when families--especially immigrant families--don't have technology. "Phone calls and self-addressed envelopes have been helpful to my team," she says. They challenged themselves to think: "What if this occured in the late 1980's or early '90s when your average American did not have the internet? You need to get out of your comfort zone and make a phone call."
Said, who teaches in a program for English language learners, not only puts directions in English and Spanish, but even provides visuals.
Another teacher, Carol Salva, runs down four critical messages for disadvantaged students and their families, and outlines several ways to deliver each one. These messages are:
- You are important.
- What we are learning is important.
- We will not give up on you.
- You CAN do it.
Finally, teacher Tan Huynh reminds other educators that some older students may have access to the internet and devices--but have no one at home with them to support their distance learning. "Yet these students are expected to successfully navigate a new form of schooling by themselves while their guardians go to work, attend to younger siblings, or care for ill loved ones. For children in these situations, they experience a form of inequity--limited guardian supervision."
Read more.
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RESOURCES FOR PROFESSIONALS AND PARENTS
Child Care Councils and Long Island nonprofits are still hard at work supporting early educators, children and families
The Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. may be closed to the public, but staff members are hard at work. If you have a question or concern, you can call them at 516-358-9250 or email info@childcarenassau.org
The Council's website offers many helpful links, including slides from a webinar on Monday, April 13: "Child Care Providers and Federal Assistance: Small Business Administration Loans and Loan Forgiveness."
For those Centers still open, there's a
helpful one-pager, "Is Social Distancing Possible in an Early Childhood Classroom?"
Click here for all Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. resources related to COVID-19.
If you want to reach the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc., call 631-462-0303. The Council also provides information for providers on its
website, including links to guidance from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and to resources made available by Child Care Aware of America.
Is this a new name for you? Long Island Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
This coalition of government and nonprofit leaders prepare to respond to crises just like the one we're experiencing now. In particular, says Rebecca Sanin of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI), "it is essential that COVID-19 health communications are accessible to all Long Islanders." Links to numerous resources are offered at
www.hwcli.com/covid-19. These include sources of emergency food and domestic violence resources.
In addition, Sanin is sharing information about the
COVID-19 Health Literacy Project, which has created and translated fact sheets into 35+ languages. These materials include information about prevention, management and pregnancy and have been reviewed by doctors and faculty members from Harvard Medical School.
Call Docs for Tots/Help Me Grow-Long Island to assist families
Diapers and other baby items, tele-health services and food pantries are on the list of resources being provided through Help Me Grow-Long Island. Its
website even offers an online developmental screening tool (in English and Spanish) for parents who may be anxious about their child. To learn more or to donate, you can contact Help Me Grow by calling or texting 516-548-8924 or emailing
Please remind your staff and parents to complete the census
The 2020 census is a critical opportunity for us to ensure that Long Island gets its fair share of funding, resources and elected representation for years to come--but this y
ear's campaign has been affected by the current pandemic. If you haven't filled out an online census form, please do so now at
my2020census.gov. And remind your colleagues and parents to do the same. (If you have concerns or need help, you can call 1-844-330-2020.)
Census data affects much more than we often realize--everything from school funding to class size to resources for road repair. But as of Monday, April 13, less than half of U.S. households had filled out forms.
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VIRTUAL EVENTS OF INTEREST
From The Long Island Leadership Initiative
Advanced Zoom
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2020
Weekly Networking Event
Dates: every Tuesday
Time: 12 noon
Note: There are no fees to become a member of the Initiative or to register for events.
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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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