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Welcome to our biweekly summary of Early Learning news from around the web as well as information on new resources for parents, teachers and advocates!
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Updates From Early Edge California
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Early Edge California is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which officially began Sept. 15 and ends Oct. 15. Learn more about the history behind this national celebration. Stay tuned for resources that we will be sharing to honor and celebrate the cultures of families whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
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Why Play Matters
In case you missed it: Early Edge and New Teacher Center developed Play to Learn, a three-part professional development webinar series that begins next month and continues through December. The series’ focus, Play in Early Learning settings, will be of particular interest to those who work with children ages 3-5 in California: Play in Early Learning settings.
The subject of play seems to have captured public interest recently; just earlier this week, First 5 LA’s Morning Media newsletter featured a Psychology Today article on the topic. While it seems relatively self-explanatory, play is rooted in child development and has various stages and types. Play to Learn’s first session focuses on laying the foundation for the rest of the series: Identifying and understanding why play is so important for children in this particular age group. And, based on feedback from the field, each webinar session in the series includes strategies for supporting dual language learners (DLLs).
Register Now
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Legislative Update
The California legislative session has officially closed for 2019. In the coming weeks, we’ll be updating our summary on early learning legislation as Governor Newsom signs or vetoes bills. For now, check out EdSource’s helpful "Building Blocks" report tracking the recent status of 27 bills focused on our youngest Californians.
View Report
Great Turnout and Discussion at Fresno Advisory Group
Early Edge held its biannual Early Learning Teacher Advisory Group in Fresno on August 24. We had an amazing turnout of 22 participants representing Head Start, family child care, preschool teachers and para-educators, transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten. Early Edge presented updates on the Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations and the Preschool Development Grant, information on the Governor’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care, and the Dual Language Learning (DLL) Policy Platform.
The participants provided their feedback regarding the Governor’s Master Plan process and the DLL Policy Platform. Key takeaways from the meeting included:
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Participants felt that specific training in Early Learning was important at all levels, including in TK and kindergarten. Participants highlighted the importance of play and developmentally appropriate learning.
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A need for more mental health support and training in Early Learning, including the need for more assistants and para-professionals who are trained in mental and behavioral health, and the need for trauma-informed training for teachers.
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The need for more training, support and materials to help teachers support DLLs. Participants indicated that they often lack materials such as books or songs in children’s native languages and that those they do have may be poor or confusing direct translations from English.
As always, Early Edge values the insights and contributions of the teachers and para-professionals who took time from their weekend to share their thoughts and experiences with us. We will be sure to incorporate these insights in our work on developing our policy platforms and outreach as we begin planning for next year.
New Early Edge California Team Member
 We are excited to share an addition to the Early Edge team: Joanna Cole joins our staff as our new Director of Communications. Learn more about Joanna and join us in welcoming her to the team!
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In the News:
Early Learning
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Full-day kindergarten could soon be required in every California school, Sept. 16
EdSource
Top state adviser outlines children’s advocacy plans during Beyond Our Gates Literacy Dialogue, Sept. 13
Record Net
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan team up with Sesame Workshop on Early-Childhood Education, Sept. 12
People
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Learning Matters: Expanding school choices have changed Glendale Unified over the years, Sept. 12
LA Times
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Pre-to-3: With play dates and Play-Doh, school leaders gain skills to support learning for 4-year-olds, Sept. 13
Education Dive
California could become latest state to allow state workers to bring infants to work, Sept. 10
CBS Sacramento
7 California districts highlighted as 'positive outliers', Sept. 10
Education Dive
How this apprenticeship helps educators achieve once out-of-reach career goals, Sept. 5
EdSurge
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New Resources, Studies, Reports
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Early Learning in the United States: 2019
The Center for American Progress has released its annual series of fact sheets which examine Early Learning programs in each state. This 2019 version includes updates on child care costs, gaps in child care funding and access, wages for the child care workforce and the benefits of policies that would expand access to affordable child care and preschool.
Learn More
Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has released a statement regarding the importance of equity in early childhood education. It provides recommendations for advancing equity, beginning with recommendations for early childhood educators and public policymakers. The recommendations are followed by a synthesis of current early childhood education research through the lenses of equity and NAEYC core values.
View Statement
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Professional Development Opportunities
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Outdoor Classroom Project’s annual conference: “The Foundation of Natural Outdoor Classrooms: Gifts of Respect, Time, and Love”
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Learn how using respect, time, and love in implementing the Outdoor Classroom cultivates Whole-Child Education, promoting rich learning in an atmosphere of joy. Whatever your level of experience or education, you will find workshops and activities that inform and inspire you! This all day event takes place at the Outdoor Classroom Project® Model Site in La Canada, CA.
Learn More
Investing in Early Educators Stipend Program
The Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Child Care Planning Committee, is now accepting applications for Cycle 21 of the Investing in Early Educators – Stipend Program. Applications due by October 24, 2019
Cycle 21A: For persons working in child development centers
Cycle 21B: For persons working in family child care homes
QPI Quality Journey Orientation
September 26, 2019 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Learn about how you can participate in the Quality Preschool Initiative (QPI), San Diego’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). The Quality Journey is designed to help center directors and program administrators continually improve the quality of their programs and achieve high-quality ratings within that system.
Learn More
Please see our updated listing of additional upcoming professional development opportunities. Be sure to bookmark this page for updates throughout the year.
View Opportunities
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San Diego County Office of Education’s 17th Annual Early Years Conference
March 6 and March 7, 2020
This two-day professional learning event for Early Learning Educators and Family Child Care providers working with children from birth to five is presented by the San Diego County Office of Education’s (SDCOE) Early Education Programs and Services department. The theme for the 2020 conference is Integrating STEAM into the Early Childhood Education Setting.
If you are interested in presenting at the conference, you can submit a proposal by September 27th.
Learn More
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