December 2021 Update
Working for a just,
equitable, and quality
early childhood education
for every young child.
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All End-of-Year Donations Will Be Matched! |
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It's that time of year again, December, when we ask fellow educators, advocates, parents, and friends to donate to our once-a-year Annual Appeal.
We are a small but mighty organization, so every donation helps us achieve our goals to bring forth an early education for children that is grounded in equity, justice, and research-based child development.
Thanks to a generous supporter's offer of a dollar-to-dollar match, when you donate this month you will double your impact in helping us toward our mission.
See what we accomplished in 2021:
January:
- Established our Advocacy Map to inform educators, parents, and advocates of what is happening with policy and practices concerning early childhood education.
March:
- Joined with six other organizations to participate in a webinar training for advocates & educators to urge the Biden administration to cancel the spring testing of children nationally and also created the Cancel the Tests Tool Kit.
May:
- Nancy Carlsson Paige participated in Slate School's Education Idea Lab where she discussed the many reasons why she and Dr. Diane Levin founded Defending the Early Years in 2012.
June:
July:
- The critical race theory storm hit like a tsunami in July and so we hit the airwaves to talk about what it is, what isn't and how it's being used to create misguided fear amongst parents. Denisha Jones on Talk Out of School and Kindergarten Kiosk and Nancy Carlsson-Paige on Busted Pencils,
August:
- Produced our fourth Audrey Duck video to help children as they return to school in the age of COVID, accompanied by Guidelines for Parents and Teachers.
October through December:
- We are so excited to share with you that we have been busy preparing a new resource for our followers. In January, we will be launching The DEY Podcast. More on this resource below.
Throughout 2021:
- We awarded 12 mini grants to early childhood educators and advocates across the country and around the world. Our mini-grants are intended to help those who need assistance in advocating for or developing play-based programs.
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Please support the important work we do in advocating for a just and equitable education for every young child.
We can't do this work with out you!
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We Are Stronger
and
Louder Together!
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Our new monthly PODCAST!
In early January, we are launching our new podcast focused in on advancing the voices of early childhood educators.
We are so excited to announce that our podcast will be hosted by Kisha Reid, a DEY board member and owner/director of Discovery Early Learning Center in Poolesville, MD.
Kisha will welcome guests from all sectors of the early childhood education field and lead them in thought-provoking discussions designed to mobilize and inspire change.
Our first podcast is scheduled for Wednesday, January 5th. We will be on the air the first Wednesday of every month. So make sure to bookmark us on wherever you listen.
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The Butterfly Story
Early childhood educators have noticed that young children are currently suffering from "climate anxiety," as they hear about the detrimental impact of climate change.
This month's guest commentator, Rina Zampieron, State-Wide Education Coordinator, Massachusetts Audubon, addresses ways to empower young children to protect nature in developmentally appropriate ways.
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We've Set the Dates!
Monday, June 27 through Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 4 to 6 pm EDT.
We will be updating you and our Institute page regularly as more details of the conference are finalized, so check here regularly for more information. |
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Josh Golin, Fairplay's Executive Director, recently testified before Congress about the many harms facing kids on the internet today, how Fairplay is working to hold Big Tech accountable, and how Congress can take action to protect young people.
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Board of Directors
Nancy Carlsson-Paige
Founder and Senior Advisor
Diane Levin
Founder and Senior Advisor
Geralyn Bywater
Treasurer
Kisha Reid
Board Member
Co-Directors
Blakely Bundy
Denisha Jones
Marketing Consultant
Katherine Fligg
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National Advisory Board
Erika Christakis
Sherry Cleary
Bill Crain
Stephanie Feeney
Doris Pronin Fromberg
Ayla Gavins
Michelle Gunderson
Ed Klugman
Susan Linn
Deborah Meier
Ruth Rodriguez-Fay
James St. Clair
Judith Van Hoorn
Founding National Advisory Board
Constance Kamii
Lilian Katz
Maurice Sykes
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Defending the Early Years, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Donations are tax deductible. Our Tax ID: 82-4308558
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Defending the Early Years
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