Early Education Initiative

If Bedtime Is Book Time, Let's Make Morning Time for Math

Bedtime = book time. Parents know that equation by heart, or at least they're supposed to. The drill goes like this: Just before the goodnight kiss, we snuggle up with our young kids, open a book, and read with them. Okay, so maybe at first we have to beg them to just settle down. And maybe the baby is more prone to eat the pages than look at them. But still, we try. We're the ones responsible for these little human beings. It's part of our… more
Lisa Guernsey | Washingtonpost.com | November 5, 2009

PreK-3rd Strategies Can Improve Education in the Golden State

Strengthening education in the face of severe state budget problems may seem an impossible goal. But a new report released today by the New America Foundation shows that not only is it possible, it’s already happening. A small but growing number of counties, school districts, and charter schools in California are making progress toward building seamless PreK-3rd early education systems—a promising strategy to narrow achievement gaps and raise student achievement.
Lisa Guernsey | October 29, 2009

CA EVENT: The Future of Early Education Systems in California (Pre K-3rd)

As California struggles to close persistent achievement gaps, it is increasingly apparent that these gaps exist at school entry and that efforts to improve the early education systems (PreK-3rd) are warranted.   Please join us in the release of "On the Cusp in California: How PreK-3rd Strategies Could Improve Education in the Golden State," a policy paper from New America's Early Education Initiative that highlights key strategies for creating a more seamless system for early learning in California.

10/29/2009 - 11:30am
10/29/2009 - 1:00pm

On the Cusp in California

If children are the future, then looking at a state's educational system is like peering into a crystal ball. California is a state teeming with young children -- 4.7 million under age 8, to be exact. One in every eight young American children lives in California. And many of these children come from minority ethnic and racial backgrounds and speak languages other than English. If Americans want to get a glimpse at our future as a "majority minority" country they don't have to look beyond California.

October 2009

Do Parents Worsen Childhood Fears? | Dr. Nancy (MSNBC)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News,

Lisa Guernsey | October 23, 2009

Even Curious George Can Be Scary

From the Editors: "Where the Wild Things Are," a film based on Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book, hit theaters on Friday. The book is loved by 4- and 5-year-olds, but this PG-rated movie may well be too scary for them.

Child development experts debate whether, when it comes to the big screen, live-action films are easier for preschoolers to identify with and enjoy than complex animation. But the live-action G-rated movie seems increasingly rare these days.

Lisa Guernsey | NYTimes.com | October 16, 2009

Initiative Focuses on Early Learning Programs | The Ledger

Sara Mead, a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation, said, “I haven't talked with anybody who isn't excited about the prospects for this Early ... and more »
Sara Mead | September 20, 2009

Initiative Focuses on Early Learning Programs | New York Times

Sara Mead, a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation, said, “I haven't talked with anybody who isn't excited about the prospects for this Early ... and more »
Sara Mead | September 19, 2009

Early Education Issues Return to Spotlight | Education Week News

Lisa Guernsey, the director of the early-learning initiative at the New America Foundation, a Washington think tank, said: “We're not seeing any signs of a ...
Lisa Guernsey | September 18, 2009

Kindergarten Need Not Be a Pressure Cooker

A few years ago, Newsweek called kindergarten "the new first grade." This month, as I watch my 5-year-old settle into her classroom, it's clear the trend hasn't abated. In May, she was kneading Play-Doh in preschool. Now she has an assigned seat and "guided reading" lessons.

Lisa Guernsey | USA Today | September 10, 2009