Learn more about the Early Childhood Center, location, philosophy and partners, and explore additional resources on early childhood development.
Related Resources
The Child Development Institute
The Early Childhood Center works closely with the Child Development Institute, which provides a progressive perspective on child development and education through lectures, conferences, activities, and outreach programs for elementary school teachers, administrators, child development professionals, and parents. This outreach also enhances the experience of Sarah Lawrence undergraduate and graduate students.
Resources to explore:
- The Learning Child Series
A series of documentaries produced for public television on the following topics: Values Go to School, From Pictures to Words, and When a Child Pretends.
- Play’s the Thing: Facilitating Play for Young Children
A week-long summer program on the overarching importance of play in the life of a child.
Graduate Programs in Education
Dozens of Sarah Lawrence graduate students—future practitioners themselves—work at the Early Childhood Center throughout the year. Learn more about their graduate programs:
"Reading Instruction in Kindergarten: Little to Gain and Much to Lose"
The report addresses such topics as developmental readiness to read in kindergarten; lack of research showing long-term gains from early reading; developmental gains from play-based programs; the importance of language-rich environments; best practices for children to become fluent readers; and policy and practice recommendations.
Read the report and watch a brief video about its findings.
TEDxSLC Talk: Sarah Curtis MA '13
Sarah Curtis MA '13, a teacher and graduate of the Child Development graduate program, attended the ECC preschool and kindergarten when she was a child.
The experience of growing up lies at the heart of her interests and endeavors, which include poetry, performing arts, and anything that informs her development as a teacher. Watch a TEDx Talk from Sarah entitled, "Cute is a Four-Letter Word.”
Websites of Interest
- Alliance for Childhood
- Annenburg Institute for School Reform
- Children's Environments Research Group (CERG)
- Coalition of Essential Schools
- Defending the Early Years
- Educators for Social Responsibility
- The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy
- The Erikson Institute
- Fair Test
- The Forum for Education and Democracy
- HighScope Education Research Foundation
- National Academy of Education
- Rethinking Schools
- Zero to Three