advocacy

becoming an early childhood advocate
When DEY was founded in 2012, its mission was to advocate for appropriate early childhood education.  In 2012, one of the biggest concerns was the Common Core, which resulted in less learning through play, over-testing, and push-down academics (i.e., kindergarten becoming the new first grade).  Today, there is less concern about Common Core, but continuing concern about lack of learning through play and push-down academics.  Currently, issues include the push for online preschool and, of course, maintaining developmentally appropriate early childhood education in the age of COVID-19.  Whatever the current issues may be, Defending the Early Years continues to advocate for preserving childhood and for developmentally appropriate early childhood education.