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. 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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Kindergarteners may have more skill disparities in the fall, says new report
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Four, five and six-year-olds may be entering school in September less prepared for formal schooling because of the pandemic, according to a K-12 Dive story on a study just released by NWEA. Kara Arundel, a reporter for the online new site, notes that Kindergarten enrollment fell nationally during 2020-21 while public Pre-K enrollment declines ranged from 15% to 41%. Some children may benefit from a delayed Kindergarten entry, say experts interviewed by Arundel, and others may have had private tutoring--leaving more historically disadvantaged students farther behind.
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The bottom line: teachers in Kindergarten and first grade should expect greater age differences and more skill disparities in their classrooms. And these skills aren't just academic: some children may have had limited socialization during the pandemic.
But teachers need to be very aware of each student's readiness for instruction. "Don't assume older students will be prepared for Kindergarten and that younger ones won't," according to the K-12 Dive piece, 'Research shows the relationship between age gaps and learning is not clear cut. Research also shows that Kindergarten classroom age ranges can have benefits for both younger and older students, the NWEA report said."
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Is K just a repeat of Pre-K for some kids?
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When researchers in North Carolina took a look at what was being taught in their state's public Pre-Ks and its public Kindergartens, they found a surprising amount of overlap. "Overall, findings from teacher surveys show that about 37% of the language, literacy and math concepts covered in Kindergarten is redundant with content covered in Pre-K. The highest rates of redundancy seem to occur for basic (rather than advanced) content items, including the identification of letters and sight words."
Why study this topic? For one thing, the researchers had heard from policymakers that there was a "misalignment" between the state's Pre-K and K. Perhaps more important, they were interested in finding out whether some students were systematically exposed to more redundant content than others--and, unfortunately, they found this was the case. "Students from families living at or below the poverty line are more likely to be taught the same skills in Pre-K and Kindergarten." In other words, say the researchers, they had unequal access to opportunities to learn. Read the study here.
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Screen-free week: how to celebrate during a pandemic
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The annual Screen-Free Week each May has been "an invitation to play, explore and rediscover the joys of life beyond ad-supported screens," says its organizer, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. This year the celebration is scheduled for Monday, May 3 through Sunday, May 9--and organizers have had to pivot because so many are still learning and working remotely. For one thing, they've inaugurated Screen-Free Saturdays, asking families and individuals to unplug one day a week. For another, they're inviting people to celebrate in whatever way works for them during the pandemic. ("An hour dedicated to YouTube becomes an hour spent outside.") Read more.
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Paper book or electronic device? Does it make a difference for young children?
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"Yes," says pediatrician Perri Klass writing for the New York Times. And the reason, several studies have determined that "parents and toddlers spoke less when they were looking at electronic books compared with print books."
One expert, for example, pointed out that popular apps have lots of visually enticing features that actually distract young children from the core content.
Another explained that parents need to discuss stories with their offspring to help them make connections between the books and their own life experiences. But that's not what's stressed in digital design. "Stuff that makes you think, makes you slow down and process things deeply, doesn't sell, doesn't get the most clicks" Read more.
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Time is running out to register for ECERS-R
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Exploring the ECERS-R
This special two-hour session introduces the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale--Revised. In this free virtual workshop, you'll learn about the tool's subscales and how to score them. And you'll have an opportunity to practice through viewing short classroom videos. You'll need a copy of the ECERS-R edition, which can be purchased new or used online.
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Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Presenter: Stephanie Dockweiler, the president of QS2 Training and Consulting and past president of the New York Association for the Education of Young Children.
Credits: CTLE and OCFS credit.
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Take advantage of free Pre-K Pyramid training
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Thanks to grant funding, Pre-K teachers and administrators can participate in Pyramid Model Training this June--at no cost. There are three full-day Saturday sessions, and you should register only if you can attend all three. The training is being provided by QS2 Training and Consulting and materials can be picked up from their Baldwin office. (If you are more than 20 miles away, arrangements can be made to mail the materials.)
Date: Saturday, June 5, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Date: Saturday, June 12, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
This Training is supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDGB5), Grant Number 90TP005901, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care.
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ECLC's annual meeting--you're invited
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The Early Care and Learning Council (ECLC) is a nonprofit organization that represents our state's 35 Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs). Among them: the Child Care Councils of Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The ECLC's annual meeting will be taking place on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.--and all early educators are welcome. Keynote: "Singing the Praises of Our Children's Heroes and Helpers," Dr. Junlei Li, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Click here for details and to register.
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The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education.
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71 Clinton Rd. Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: 516-396-2220
www.nassauboces.org/pre-k
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