Language Development and Family Engagement in the Digital Age
August 15, 2016
On August 2-3, 2016, the Joan Ganz Cooney Center and New America co-hosted a network building and leadership development institute for community leaders, policymakers, and researchers in the fields of family engagement and early literacy. Read on for highlights from the event.
Day One
Lisa Guernsey of New America, Michael Levine of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, and Jason Quiara of the Joyce Foundation kicked off the event with an overview of the agenda and goals.
Pumped to be at @NewAmerica for the Language Development & Family Engagement in the Digital Age institute! #earlytechfam #glreading
— Marissa Mazek (@MarissaMazek) August 2, 2016
The Survey Says: What You Told Us You Needed
Presented by Shayna Cook of New America
.@NewAmericaEd's @cook_shayna reviews results from a survey of conference participants. #earlytechfam https://t.co/tApqmWbaN3
— New America Ed (@NewAmericaEd) August 2, 2016
.@cook_shayna describes top challenges reported by event attendess when integrating tech for early lit #earlytechfam pic.twitter.com/Y4Fr7MRg9u
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
Partner Talks: Here’s What We Want to Learn
Featuring Yolie Flores from Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, Katie Whitehouse of the National League of Cities, Pam Johnson from Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Sheetal Singh from Early Learning Lab, Tony Raden from The Ounce, Erin Ramsey of Vroom/Mind in the Making, and Patti Miller from Too Small to Fail
Loving high-impact goals of #earlytechfam partners! @readingby3rd @leagueofcities @CPBmedia @earlylearnlab @theOunce @MITM_FWI @2SmallToFail
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
"Real education is intended to be a reciprocal journey between teachers and learners" says Erin Ramsey of @joinvroom @MITM_FWI #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
Keynote Address
Presented by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek of Temple University, co-author of Becoming Brilliant
"It's not whether you're digital or not—it's how you're using the tools and information." @KathyandRo1 #EarlyTechFam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
Amazing stats on children & technology - Kathy Hirsh-Pasek #MPBEducation #EarlyTechFam https://t.co/8gtAuNGl2r
— mesonly1 (@mesonly1) August 2, 2016
.@KathyandRo1: "It’s not just about filling a gap, but building a foundation" #languagelearning #EarlyTechFam
— Laura Zimmermann (@babyexpert4u) August 2, 2016
.@KathyandRo1 breaking down principles of language learning in order to identify digital opportunities #EarlyTechFam pic.twitter.com/7oC5YIquf4
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
"Even if youre talking about junk food, at least youre talking! It's not just about watching kids, it's interacting with them" #earlytechfam
— Sammi Wong (@sammiw0ng) August 2, 2016
Promote language "by creating prompts that help adults engage with children and become language partners." @NewAmerica #earlytechfam
— Danielle Adamson (@DanielleatNBCDI) August 2, 2016
.@KathyandRo1 mentions @medialab work on social robots & @IBMWatson partnership with @SesameWorkshop #EarlyTechFam pic.twitter.com/BdKlYWUp54
— Laura Zimmermann (@babyexpert4u) August 2, 2016
The "languagize" challenge from @KathyandRo1: Don't just prompt learning; create language *partners* to bring language to life #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
Integrating Technology in Early Literacy Map – Overview and Insights
Presented by Shayna Cook of New America, followed by a lightning round of perspectives
.@cook_shayna intros Integrating Tech in Early Lit—new report on community programs for fam engagement https://t.co/eVJuyzI47m #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
We're hearing directly from leaders of 4 community programs on the InTEL map https://t.co/1n5thuz3FR #earlytechfam pic.twitter.com/kBlP1TSlk3
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
Insights from Sandra Gutierrez of Abriendo Puertas: Let's celebrate bilingualism, partner with parents and facilitate advocacy #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
"How do we turn this into a leadership strategy for parents?" Elaine Zimmerman @MediaLiteracyEd @newamerica #earlytechfam
— Michelle C Lipkin (@ciullalipkin) August 2, 2016
Panel: Implications of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Featuring Delia Pompa of the Migration Policy Institute, Melissa Dahlin from the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes & EDC, Reyna Hernandez of the Illinois State Board of Education, and Danielle Ewen of EdCounsel
How should states model ESSA plans + engage stakeholders? CEELO panelist Melissa Dahlin shares brief: https://t.co/7zDa3U96XJ #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 2, 2016
Don't start with the language of the law, start with the vision of equity in the city. #earlytechfam
— Sammi Wong (@sammiw0ng) August 2, 2016
The higher the credentials required, the less diverse the workforce. Reyna Hernandez, IL State Board of Ed #MPBEducation #EarlyTechFam
— mesonly1 (@mesonly1) August 2, 2016
We must think about compensation especially in the early childhood arena. Danielle Ewen #MPBEducation #EarlyTechFam
— mesonly1 (@mesonly1) August 2, 2016
Business owners know their community & consistently see families. Help them share information abt what's happening in schools. #earlytechfam
— Kick Start Tech Edu (@tekstart) August 2, 2016
"An important component of #ESSA is equity. Building children's language & literacy skills is a part of the equity agenda." #earlytechfam
— Danielle Adamson (@DanielleatNBCDI) August 2, 2016
Thought leaders around the country are gathering to understand the science of language development, follow the conversation at #earlytechfam
— Gary Community (@garycommunity) August 2, 2016
Day Two
Keynote Address
Presented by Ralph Smith of Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
"Need to double down on readiness, attendance, summer learning—shaped by child dev + parent success" Ralph Smith @readingby3rd #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 3, 2016
All too often we lack the political courage and will to act on what we know. Ralph Smith #MPBEducation #EarlyTechFam
— mesonly1 (@mesonly1) August 3, 2016
Ralph Smith @readingby3rd addressing #earlytechfam gathering "there is reason for considerable optimism" pic.twitter.com/w6WV1ca1t1
— S. Kwesi Rollins (@Kwesibaby58) August 3, 2016
"The work for the second half of the decade is to work towards bigger outcomes." Ralph Smith @NewAmerica @MediaLiteracyEd #earlytechfam
— Michelle C Lipkin (@ciullalipkin) August 3, 2016
"We need 24-7, 365, 2-generation approaches & partnrships 2help the most vulnerable kids & families" Ralph Smith @readingby3rd #earlytechfam
— S. Kwesi Rollins (@Kwesibaby58) August 3, 2016
"Will #edtech proliferate silos in #earlyed efforts? Only if its power to disrupt the status quo isn't harnessed." Ralph Smith #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 3, 2016
Ralph Smith: We shrink the problem to fit our resources. We need to figure out how tech changes advocacy. #earlytechfam #readbythird
— Sammi Wong (@sammiw0ng) August 3, 2016
Zero to Three Survey Results
Presented by Rebecca Parlakian of Zero to Three
.@rparlakian presents the @ZEROTOTHREE new national survey #EarlyTechFam #parenting pic.twitter.com/wSjKiVQGiz
— Laura Zimmermann (@babyexpert4u) August 3, 2016
There is more that unites than divides parents. Various backgrounds show similar passions for parenting. #MPBEducation #EarlyTechFam
— mesonly1 (@mesonly1) August 3, 2016
Rebecca Parlakian from zero to three speaking: 8 out of 10 parents say they are good parents but 9/10 say they can do better. #earlytechfam
— Sammi Wong (@sammiw0ng) August 3, 2016
What you do during your baby's first 1000 days shapes him or her for life. Zero to Three #MPBEducation #EarlyTechFam
— mesonly1 (@mesonly1) August 3, 2016
Expectation gap: Parents interpreting child's behavior outside of context of "normal" development. @rparlakian @readingby3rd #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 3, 2016
73% of Dads say that their life began when they became a DAD! @ZEROTOTHREE @PittsburghAEYC @NewAmericaEd @CooneyCenter #earlytechfam
— Sue Polojac (@SuePolojac) August 3, 2016
What about fathers? @rparlakian says dads are very passionate about #parenting @ZEROTOTHREE #EarlyTechFam pic.twitter.com/MKtZA0WI8F
— Laura Zimmermann (@babyexpert4u) August 3, 2016
Panel: Scaling Success and Learning from “Failures”
Featuring Michael Levine of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, Tony Raden from Ounce of Prevention Fund, Kristen Burns of the Grable Foundation, Claudia Haines from the Homer Public Library, Jeanette Betancourt of Sesame Workshop, and Ellen Galinsky from Mind in the Making/Bezos Family Foundation
"Parents should be engaged and empowered as partners," says Tony Raden @theOunce #earlytechfam https://t.co/tApqmWbaN3
— New America Ed (@NewAmericaEd) August 3, 2016
Tony Raden of @theOunce discusses findings from the new texting program for parents in collaboration with @CMHD_NU #EarlyTechFam
— Laura Zimmermann (@babyexpert4u) August 3, 2016
"It scares professionals and makes them feel vulnerable when they have to learn alongside parents," @ellengalinsky #earlytechfam
— New America Ed (@NewAmericaEd) August 3, 2016
.@EllenGalinsky "imagine a world w/access to child dev. research in ways you can understand" @joinvroom #MindintheMaking #EarlyTechFam
— Laura Zimmermann (@babyexpert4u) August 3, 2016
"A critical issue is organizational digital divide when working with families."- Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Workshop. TRUTH! #earlytechfam
— Kick Start Tech Edu (@tekstart) August 3, 2016
Kristen Burns of Grable Foundation discusses importance of asking "What is technology adding or improving?" @remakelearning #EarlyTechFam
— Laura Zimmermann (@babyexpert4u) August 3, 2016
Parenting is a trajectory; it doesn't start at birth or end at 22. Resources must support parents throughout. @DrBetancourtSST #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 3, 2016
How do we engage #edtech developer in the conversation around family engagement and ESSA? #earlytechfam@OfficeofEdTech #ecetech
— Kick Start Tech Edu (@tekstart) August 3, 2016
"We need to use the science of language learning when developing tech. solutions for young children and family engagement" #earlytechfam
— Gary Community (@garycommunity) August 3, 2016
Yes!!! #ELLchat #earlytechfam pic.twitter.com/5hKWztbalV
— Candis Grover (@candisgrover) August 3, 2016
Fellow leader shares how she watched @AVANCEDallas mom engaged w her daughter at public library & engaging other moms #earlytechfam
— Rick Noriega (@RickNoriega1) August 3, 2016
3 Types of Media Mentorship: 1. Informal Learning, 2. Media Advisory, 3. Supported Access @claudiahaines of @homerlibraryak #EarlyTechFam
— Laura Zimmermann (@babyexpert4u) August 3, 2016
Libraries look different depending on where you are, but share core mission—support families in their media and literacy needs #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 3, 2016
The Media Mentorship movement is spreading in libraries across the country. Claudia Haines, Homer Public Library #MPBEducation #EarlyTechFam
— mesonly1 (@mesonly1) August 3, 2016
Great question from panel attendee: How do we address the costs of data and internet as barriers for lower-income families? #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 3, 2016
Panelists suggest promoting family library access and pushing for #digitalequity on the policy level as ways to get started. #earlytechfam
— Cooney Center (@CooneyCenter) August 3, 2016
Final word cloud reflecting #earlytechfam gathering. Awesome! pic.twitter.com/G0m0OPVg0i
— S. Kwesi Rollins (@Kwesibaby58) August 3, 2016
Watch the video footage from the event to hear more from the talented speakers and panelists:
