June 2022

President's Message

Dear Colleagues,

We are so excited that the Louisiana Legislature has made an $84 million investment for early care and education for our state's youngest learners. Fewer than 50 percent of children start school kindergarten ready. This large investment will give all children access to high-quality early care and education in the state. As an organization, we need to ensure that this commitment to our youngest children lasts for years to come.

Our members at large for each region will be reaching out to you over the next few months to encourage professional development and networking opportunities. We hope you take the opportunity to join one of the networking calls or events in your area.

Yours in service,

Michelle Demeulenaere

Bar of Louisiana related icons - fleur de lis, river, cross, crane, crawfish

LAAEYC News

JOIN LAAEYC in New Orleans July 22-24

The Louisiana Department of Education is set to host the inaugural Early Childhood Conference – Powering Up Early Childhood next month and LAAEYC will be there! The conference will take place from July 22-24, 2022, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Registered attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 12 Louisiana Pathway approved hours. Free CPR certification is offered as a pre-conference add-on option. Morning and afternoon CPR sessions are available.

Read conference details and register here.

Be sure to stop by the LAAEYC table in the Exhibitor area throughout the conference and meet members of your Executive Board. On Friday July 22 at 5 p.m, we will introduce the members at large and hold an open discussion session.

NAEYC News

NAEYC Announces New Commission on Professional Excellence in Early Childhood Education

At a time when early childhood educators confront a deepening crisis despite proving how critical they are to children, families, and the American economy, 17 national organizations dedicated to young children have come together to form a new Commission on Professional Excellence in Early Childhood Education. Read more here.

New NAEYC Head Shares How She Plans to "Move the Needle Forward" for Early Childhood Educators

NAEYC CEO Michelle Kang was interviewed for an article in the May 23 issue of EdSurge. Read how she is spending her time during her first months in her new role and how she plans to "move the needle forward" for early childhood education.

I want it to be that someone who wants to go into early education can do so without being concerned that they can’t make ends meet, that they can pursue a profession that they love and do what’s good for young children and families, and know that they can be supported in this profession, as a career. - Michelle Kang

Advocate for ECE!

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is a nonpartisan, independent source of data, research, and pertinent information for policymakers, stakeholders, and the public at large around issues related to children ages birth through four in Louisiana. LPIC serves as LAAEYC's advocacy partner.

Louisiana Legislative Recap

The Louisiana Legislative Session was a great success for early childhood education. Among the highlights were:

$40 million in one-time funding for the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund

$27 million over three years for Early Childhood Support and Services

Expanding access to quality early childhood education, and more.

Click here to read the full session recap by LPIC.

Research

View LPIC's latest research here.

Book cover for Infants and Toddlers at Play

What are you reading?

The research is clear: Play is a critical part of the learning process for young children. Early childhood educators have the opportunity to deeply and meaningfully scaffold children’s learning by curating and organizing the “stuff” children love to play with most. Discover ideas for both familiar and new play materials and how those materials support the cognitive, social and emotional, and physical learning and development of children with two new books published by NAEYC - Preschoolers at Play and Infants and Toddlers at Play. Both are available for purchase in the NAEYC online store.

Classroom Ready Research

The LSU Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI) is an umbrella organization to promote research and dissemination of recommended practices in early childhood care and education. ECEI is the research, education and outreach initiative within the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education. Stay up-to-date on the latest in Early Childhood Education Research and how to incorporate best practices into your classroom.

Child-Sustained Attention in Two-Year-Olds

Dr. Cynthia DiCarlo, ECEI, Dr. Carrie L. Ota, Jeanette Bankston, Annelise Dahl

Attention is the foundation for learning. This study identifies the teaching condition that best supported child attention that was consistent with recommended practices, incorporating both play and child choice. Click the button below to learn more about how to incorporate attention sustaining practices in your classrooms today.

Interested in Accreditation through NAEYC?

Empower your program's success! Equip your program with the tools to provide the best learning experiences for young children and provide the highest quality professional preparation of educators by meeting national standards of quality.

Watch this video to learn more about the benefits of accreditation for both your center and the children you serve!

Share your news with us!

Do you have early childhood education news from your area that you would like to see included here or have ideas for programming that you would like to attend or facilitate? Visit the LAAEYC website or email us at info@laaeyc.org.

Is it time to renew your membership?

Membership in NAEYC must be renewed on an annual basis in the month that you originally joined. To renew your membership click here and be sure to select LAAEYC as your affiliate.

Invite a friend to join us!
LAAEYC and NAEYC invites all early childhood education professionals and advocates to be an active part of our organization. Do you know someone who may be interested? Share this email and invite them to join today!

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