CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey and her dog Nash made a recent appearance on WFSB Channel 3’s Amazing K9 Duos segment to talk about the important work the Connecticut Education Foundation has been doing to bring play into the classroom.
DeLancey, who also serves as CEF President, told host Renee DiNino about the play carts CEF has distributed to classrooms around the state.
“The classroom teachers get everything from costumes to fort building kits to movable alphabets and picture books and dolls and puppets so that kids can have a joyful learning experience and build early literacy skills,” DeLancey said.
Milford teacher Kellie Choquette is one of the teachers who received a play cart to share with her grade-level team, and she reports it’s been a big hit with students.
“All of the grade one classes at Orchard Hills School have been able to utilize it, and the students love it!” she said.
New legislation that CEA pushed for mandates that play become the primary pedagogy in prek and kindergarten and encourages using play-based learning strategies in grades 1-5.
“These carts are fully equipped and include tools to link free play with the Science of Reading,” DeLancey said.
All play carts have been distributed for the year, but you can help support bringing more of these carts into classrooms by donating to CEF.
Watch DeLancey’s interview with DiNino below.
