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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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How to talk to young children about crises--such as last week's events at the Capitol
Young children aren't immune from the news--and may even be more aware these days. "What's notable about this crisis [the Capitol events on January 6] is that so many children were at home where they could watch it unfold in real time, with no check on the dosage of news," is what a school psychologist told NPR last week. Commentator Anya Kamenetz interviewed educators and other experts, ranging from
a Kindergarten teacher to education professors. Some advice especially for early educators, when talking to students about the rioters: Point out that "helpers stopped them and our leaders got to do their jobs."
Nonprofit Defending the Early Years (DEY) was quick to issue a guide for talking with young children, pointing out that despite adults' efforts to shield them, children hear things from siblings, the media, friends--or even by overhearing adult conversations. DEY's suggestions include "Answer children's specific questions, but don't elaborate" and "Make sure children know that it is the job of adults to protect them." In particular, they urge grown-ups to base their responses on the child's age and specific needs, understanding that when younger children see or hear about something scary, they often relate it to themselves and worry about their own safety. (Note: the DEY's guidelines are adapted from Teaching Young Children in Violent Times: Building a Peaceable Classroom by Diane E. Levin.) Download the pdf from DEY.
A few months ago, we first shared "Supporting Young Children After Crisis Events," a resource from The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This comprehensive article is applicable to negative events of all kinds, ranging from a family crisis to community disasters such as flooding, to national news. Among its extensive advice to early educators: the reminder that after a crisis, a children's trauma, loss or adjustment difficulties from a previously experienced event may resurface or worsen, even if the issues do not related directly to the current crisis.
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YOUR CLASSROOM
Don't throw out that empty Amazon box--you can turn it into a mini-museum!
Kids and adults alike are becoming enthusiastic curators of their own personal collections now that visits to brick-and-mortar museums are curtailed. So reports The New York Times in a recent article that reports on collections ranging from butterflies
to pirates to...ew...slime mold. One reason for their popularity: "In our socially distant era, tactile learning has especially fallen by the wayside."
There's even a company, Museum in a Box, which will send DIY museums sorted by age (including a 5 to 9 range). But there are also many YouTube videos--including from museums, sharing how-to's. For example, the Natural History Museum of Santa Cruz offers a brief tutorial for children that includes practical advice: "If you want to draw on the walls, do it before you assemble your museum."
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BOOKSHELF
Are you looking for a professional book to read while cold weather keeps you indoors? Here are some ways to search
You can select a title published by a highly respected professional organization. In February, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) will publish Each and Every Child: Teaching Preschool with an Equity Lens. Other recent books include Trauma and Young Children: Teaching Strategies to Support and Empower. Learn more.
The Erikson Early Math Collaborative offers Growing Mathematical Minds, which translates research into applicable ideas for early education classrooms. Learn more.
You can buy a book that has been the subject of a book group. You may not have been able to join in on the group discussing From Survive to Thrive: A Director's Guide for Leading an Early Childhood Program (sponsored by the Long Island Regional Leadership Initiative--see below) or our fall group that explored Don't Look Away, but that doesn't mean you can't delve into these proven winners on your
own. (These books are both available on amazon.com.)
How about a book by someone you follow on social media? If you're one of literacy expert JoEllen McCarthy's ten thousand twitter followers, you may not realize she's recently authored Layers of Learning: Using Read-Alouds to Connect Literacy to Caring Conversations. It was published by Stenhouse.
Or a book by a presenter you enjoyed? We suspect many attendees at our fall webinars with Kristi Mraz went on to purchase Kids 1st from Day 1: A Teacher's Guide to Today's Classroom. (You can visit her website to learn more.) And it's likely that those who heard Rae Pica speak at our annual conference were inspired to read What if Everyone Understood Child Development? or her new book, What If We Taught the Way Children Learn?. (And if you're a Rae Pica fan, you'll be happy to find out that she's offering free e-books on topics such as 10 Games to Prevent Challenging Behavior. Visit her website to find out more.)
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Last week to register for the first webinar in our special four-part series with experts on anti-bias
Issues related to bias and equity are in the forefront this year--and teachers and leaders have been asking for help. That's why we're pleased to offer a four-part series of free webinars, facilitated by Jacob Dixon, CEO of Choice for All. He'll be joined by educational consultants from Co-Plan It. Enrollment is limited to promote discussion and dialogue.
You can participate in this series if you want to begin your exploration of anti-bias--or if you want to extend or deepen your understanding of this critical topic. You are encouraged to register for all four sessions, but that's not a requirement. All sessions are 90-minutes long, scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For complete descriptions and to register, visit our website.
Part One: Selecting and Discussing Texts With Young Children
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
Part Two: Engaging Families and the Community: A Discipline and Management Lens
Date: Thursday, January 28, 2021
Part Three: Training for Educators; Support for Families
Date: Thursday, February 4, 2021
Part Four: Developmentally Appropriate Protocols and Resources for Pre-K Students Date: Thursday, February 11, 2021
Join in a discussion of From Survive to Thrive Chapter 4: Budget and Finances
You don't have to already be a member of the Long Island Leadership Initiative to join in this month's discussion of From Survive to Thrive: A Director's Guide for Leading an Early Childhood Program. A webinar on Chapter 4 will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. The following week there's an opportunity to share reflections, thoughts and ideas that arise from the webinar. This follow-up discussion will be on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. and will be lead by Camille Lachar, a Long Islander and instructor in CUNY's CPAC program.
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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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