Look for Defending the Early Years at NAEYC’s 2013  Conference!

We are thrilled to have our Co-Founder, Dr. Diane Levin as well as our National Advisory Board member, Dr. Constance Kamii, presenting at this year’s conference on behalf of Defending the Early Years.  We hope you will attend each of their sessions and join us later for becoming an activist.

Thursday morning 11/21 – 10:00am-11:30am in ballroom C

Dr. Diane Levin‘s featured session, Beyond Remote-Controlled Childhood: Teaching Young Children in the Media Age.

On November 13th Diane Levin published the piece  Media Literacy for Young Children: Essential for School Success in Today’s World  in her education blog with the Huffington Post.

Diane describes why she testified before the Massachusetts Legislature’s House-Senate Joint Committee on Education in favor of media education for all children in the state.

She has been looking closely for decades at media’s impact on children’s lives. Her writings and research on the topic are extensive.

Her new book Beyond Remote Controlled Childhood: Teaching Young Children in the Media Age (NAEYC, 2013) is a much-needed resource for teachers who are seeking ways to support children (and families) whose lives and learning have been impacted by today’s media-saturated world.

The issues Levin addresses speak directly to Defending the Early Years’ concerns about the loss of play as well as the increase in scripted curricula and testing in early childhood classrooms.  Please join us for Diane Levin’s featured session!

Friday afternoon 11/22 – 1:00pm – 2:30pm in West Salon 1

Dr. Constance Kamii, member of DEY’s National Advisory Board, presents Direct versus indirect ways of teaching number concepts to children, ages 4-6

Friday afternoon – 3:00pm – 4:30pm in Room 101 at the Convention Center

Finding Your Voice: Becoming a Teacher-Activist. Thanks to the CEASE Interest Forum for sponsoring this session.

Friday evening:

Defending the Early Years’ will be hosting a gathering for teacher-activists from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at the Henley Park Hotel, 926 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC – just one block from the convention center.

See flier here. Please RSVP to geralynbywater@gmail.com.

In the exhibit hall:

Booth #935 with Hugh Hanley Circle of Song and TRUCE (Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment).

Stop by and introduce yourself.

Check out DEY materials, TRUCE materials, and with great songs for young children from our dear friend Hugh Hanley!