Reports. Position Papers. op-eds. Fact Sheets.

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Defending the Early Years publishes reports about current issues in early childhood education and education policy, written by national experts in the field. We also publish shorter position papers and fact sheets about current issues, giving advocates up-to-date information, research, and statistics.
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Why Babies Shouldn’t Be Looking at Screens

Why Babies Shouldn’t Be Looking at Screens

This Op-Ed was originally published by the Provincetown Independent. TAKING BACK CHILDHOOD Why Babies Shouldn’t Be Looking at Screens New…

Children’s Play in Violent Time

Children’s Play in Violent Time

Originally published on June 14, 2023 by the Provincetown Independent TAKING BACK CHILDHOOD Children’s Play in Violent Times It’s not…

Can Kids Recover From Covid Learning Losses?

Can Kids Recover From Covid Learning Losses?

This Op-Ed was originally published by The New York Times. Can Kids Recover From Covid Learning Losses? By: William Crain…

The Case for Sleepovers

The Case for Sleepovers

This Op-Ed was originally published by The Atlantic The Case for Sleepovers They are a chance for children to be…

What Not to Get Your Kids on Black Friday

What Not to Get Your Kids on Black Friday

This Op-Ed was originally published by NBC News. What not to get your kids on Black Friday Bestselling toys —…

Straight Talk With Young Children About Racism by Nancy Carlsson Paige

Straight Talk With Young Children About Racism by Nancy Carlsson Paige

This Op-Ed was originally published by The Provincetown Independent. Intervening in racist behavior can produce positive change BY NANCY CARLSSON-PAIGE SEP 28,…

'Achievement Gap' Based on MCAS, Racist Test Designed to Indoctrinate

‘Achievement Gap’ Based on MCAS, Racist Test Designed to Indoctrinate

This Op-Ed was originally published by The Worcester Telegram. Ruth Rodríguez Fay: ‘Achievement gap’ based on MCAS, racist test designed…

It's About Time Somebody Admits Racial Disparities Exist in Worcester

It’s About Time Somebody Admits Racial Disparities Exist in Worcester

This Op-Ed was originally published by The Worcester Telegram. Ruth Rodríguez Fay: It’s about time somebody admits racial disparities exist…

A Statement in Solidarity by Defending the Early Years

A Statement in Solidarity by Defending the Early Years

We at Defending the Early Years are deeply saddened and troubled by the continued assault on Black lives that claimed…

DEY Platform, Written in 2012, is Still Relevant

DEY Platform, Written in 2012, is Still Relevant

[This post was originally published August 13, 2012 on deyproject.org] Note: DEY’s Senior Advisor Nancy Carlsson-Paige and our National Advisory…

Facebook Needs to Kill Its New Chat App for Kids

Facebook Needs to Kill Its New Chat App for Kids

This Op-Ed was originally published by The Los Angeles Times. Facebook needs to kill its new chat app for kids…

Op-ed: How Do We Help Children Cope with Fear of Nuclear War?

Op-ed: How Do We Help Children Cope with Fear of Nuclear War?

by Susan Linn (published in the 9-27-17 issue of the Los Angeles Times) Read the full op-ed by clicking here.

Defending the Early Years publication in The Washington Post

New Study Backs More Academic Rigor for Preschool. Oh, Please.

DEY Senior Advisors Diane Levin and Nancy Carlsson-Paige are quoted in Valerie Strauss’ column, The Answer Sheet in the Washington…

DEY Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet on Testing and Young Children

In today’s world, preschoolers, kindergartners, and children in the early elementary grades are required to take many tests throughout the…

DEY Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet for Families on Testing and Young Children

Children in today’s preschools, kindergartens, and early elementary grades must take many tests on rote skills and facts. This has…

DEY Fact Sheets

Hoja informativa sobre los exanenes y los niños jóvenes

En el mundo actual, los preescolares, los niños en kindergarten, y los niños en los primeros grados elementales están obligados…

DEY Fact Sheets

Hoja informativa para familiassobre las pruebas y los niños pequeños

Los niños en los preescolares de hoy en día, los jardines de infantes y los grados elementales tempranos necesitan tomar…

Defending the Early Years -- What Parents Need to Know

What Parents Need to Know about the Common Core

SIX REASONS TO OPPOSE COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS FOR K-3RD GRADE 1) The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are developmentally…

DEY -- What parents should know about Common Core in Spanish

Lo Que Todos Padres Deben Saber

SEIS RAZONES PARA RECHAZAR LAS NORMAS ESTATALES “COMMON CORE” EN LOS GRADOS K-3ro 1) Las Normas del Estado conocidas como…

The Disturbing Shift Underway in Early Childhood Classsrooms

The Disturbing Shift Underway in Early Childhood Classsrooms

  This morning, Valerie Strauss posted a DEY op ed on her education blog “The Answer Sheet” at The Washington Post….

Do Young Kids Need to Learn a Lot of Facts?

Do Young Kids Need to Learn a Lot of Facts?

  At the Washington Post yesterday Valerie Strauss published Do young kids need to learn a lot of facts? This essay by…

A Tough Critique of Common Core on Early Childhood Education

A Tough Critique of Common Core on Early Childhood Education

A Tough Critique of Common Core on Early Childhood Education  by Edward Miller and Nancy Carlsson-Paige Published in The Answer…

Teachers' Voices: How Ed Policy is Hurting Early Childhood Education

Teachers’ Voices: How Ed Policy is Hurting Early Childhood Education

  In case you missed it, DEY wrote an op-ed for Valerie Strauss’ column titled The Answer Sheet at The…

Turf Wars

Turf Wars

This Op-Ed was originally published by The New York Times. Turf Wars By: WILLIAM CRAIN September 16, 2007 This summer…