Defending the Early Years was founded to work for a just, equitable, and quality early childhood education for every young child.
DEY has just released our position statement for early childhood education policy priorities for the local, state, and federal level. Our goal with this statement is to help parents, educators and policymakers understand what it is really needed in early childhood education to ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive.
"The Healing Powers of Play" is the title of a recent article written by Dr. Marcy Guddemi, DEY's Treasurer. It was published earlier this month by Community Playthings, and is a must read for parents and educators alike in order to help our children process the trauma they are experiencing as as a result of this pandemic.
This article is a follow-up to Dr. Guddemi's presentation during DEY's 2020 Summer Institute.
DEY provides mini grants of between $200 and $500:
To advocate at the grassroots, local, state, regional, and federal levels for education policies based on child development theory and research.
To mobilize the early childhood community to speak up for age-approrpirate standards, assessments, and classroom practices that are based on research.
To promote appropriate practices in Early childhood classrooms and to support educators in counteracting policies and practices that undermine whole child health and optimal learning.
We accept applications four times a year.
Deadlines are: September 1, December 1, March 1, and June 1.
