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A stylized tree with colorful leaves emerges from an open book. A child and two hands are part of the design. Text reads "NYC Families and Educators for Responsive Instruction.

NYC Families and Educators for Responsible Instruction Website

We launched the website in late December 2024/ Early January of 2025. Our goal is to provide information to parents and to survey parents about these mandates and how they are impacting the classroom in ways that are not developmentally appropriate as well. In addition to providing context and information, we will be using the site to mobilize parents to attend local and city-wide education council meetings across NYC and advocate for culturally responsive and developmentally sound curricula through testimonials, letter-writing campaigns, and telephone campaigns to local officials as the situations unfold.

A group of six children wearing festive outfits, posing indoors in front of colorful bulletin boards and a toy house.

Intergenerational Holiday Celebrations: Elizabeth Seton Center in Pittsburgh, PA

Research shows that relationships between older and younger generations can foster empathy, reduce age-based stereotypes, and improve mental well-being. Programs that bring together youth and seniors create valuable experiences, helping both groups feel a stronger sense of purpose and community.

A group of people standing in a line inside a classroom with wooden desks and large windows in the background.

Promoting Play for Refugee Children: Kyegegwa district of Uganda.

The project aim was to improve on how children learn in primary schools by promoting, increasing and sustaining the use of learning through play techniques by teachers, parents, education managers who surround and interact with refugee children at school, home and in refugee camps.

A small wooden shelf filled with various books, including children's books, novels, and history titles. Two round badges and a heart-shaped button are placed on the bottom shelf.

Little Free *Banned Books* Library project: West Orange, New Jersey

Installing and hosting a Little Free *Banned Books* Library aligns well within DEY’s principal goals. Hosting a space where children and families will have greater and free access to a wide range of books supports literacy development and in this current social and political climate, offering free banned books is a form of political and educational advocacy.

A group of people, including children and women in colorful clothing, sit outdoors surrounded by plants and trees. Some are seated while others crouch on the ground.

A New Play Patio and Sensory Garden for Puerta Abierta Atitlan: Santiago Atitlan, Solola Guatemala

The Puerta Abierta believes that all children and their families deserve a dignified and progressive education, one that evokes curiosity about the world we live in. The goal of the joint project between Puerta Abierta and Mya was to provide an opportunity for the early childhood education program at the school to enhance their outdoor play garden.

Book cover showing three children playing outdoors. The cover reads: "Let the Children Play: How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive" by Pasi Sahlberg & William Doyle.

Let the Children Play Book Study in Birmingham, Alabama

If we want teachers to incorporate play in their classrooms, they need to be knowledgeable on the practices that are based on research. Teachers are our first line of defense in keeping play in classrooms. But to do it, they must know about and believe in the benefits. More than just knowing, teachers need to be able to articulate why play is critical for our children. The book study allowed undergraduate students, our future teachers, to access the related research in a way that is developmentally appropriate for preservice teachers.