Lisa Guernsey: All Publications, Events and Press

New America Foundation Releases 50-State Survey of Progress on Early Learning Councils

Erin Drankoski — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:41:00 -0500

The New America Foundation's Early Education Initiative today released a report and 50-state survey on how -- and whether -- states are making progress in establishing early learning councils, which are mandated by federal law to be established in each state.

Big Bird Celebrates Big Day with 'Sesame Street' Anniversary | The NewsHour

Kate Schuler — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:03:00 -0500

On the 40th anniversary of "Sesame Street," Jeffrey Brown explores how the classic PBS program has helped shape childhood education in the United States and around the world. He talks with Lisa Guernsey among others about children's programming. Watch the entire program.

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

Erin Drankoski — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:47:00 -0500

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 job.

Mathematics, on the other hand, that's not on the must-do list. Reading may be part of the raising-kids routine. Math -- not so much.

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

Elizabeth Wu — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:03:00 -0400

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.

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

Elizabeth Wu — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
10/29/2009 - 11:30am

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.

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

Erin Drankoski — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:27:00 -0400

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News,

Even Curious George Can Be Scary

Erin Drankoski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:41:00 -0400

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.

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Early Education Issues Return to Spotlight | Education Week News

Cecille Isidro — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:00:00 -0400

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 ...

Kindergarten Need Not Be a Pressure Cooker

Erin Drankoski — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:48:00 -0400

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.
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Back to School Technology | The Kojo Nnamdi Show

Erin Drankoski — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:36:00 -0400

New America's Lisa Guernsey interviews with the Kojo Nnamdi Show.

Whether they're starting kindergarten or college, students today are less interested in pencils and books than in cellphones and laptops. We'll look at the hot tech items on this year's back-to-school shopping list. ... Original Audio

Inattentive Kids Most Likely to Struggle with Grades, Studies Find | Washington Examiner

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:27:00 -0400

"Ideally, new attention to children's attention could lead to some crossover between the health and education communities," said Lisa Guernsey, an early education analyst at the New America Foundation who compiled the findings of several studies that came to strikingly similar conclusions downplaying the long-term consequences of bad behavior. The most recent research was published last month in the journal Pediatrics.

‘Sesame Street’: The Show That Counts

Kate Schuler — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:38:00 -0400

This story has been brought to you by the letter S and the numbers 15 and 40. (Or, as the Count might say in his adorable Transylvanian accent, "fivteen and forrrty-HA, HA, HA!") The S, as anyone who has ever watched television can deduce by now, stands for Sesame Street. The 40 is almost as easy: this year marks the 40th anniversary of sunny days, friendly neighbors and the fuzzy creatures who live on that street where the air is sweet. If you haven't watched recently with your children or grandchildren, you'll be relieved to know that
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Children and Technology | New Hampshire Public Radio

Cecille Isidro — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:39:00 -0400

We wanted to find out how parents can encourage their kids’ use of technology without losing control. So we called up two experts in the field. First, Warren Buckleitner, editor of Children’s Technology Review, and author of a recent study on young children’s tech habits, and Lisa Guernsey, senior policy analyst at New America Foundation, and author of the 2007 book Into the Minds of Babes. Link to audio

TV's Not the Big Bad Wolf | WashingtonPost.com

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:15:00 -0500

"This study is really good news for parents," says Lisa Guernsey, the author of "Into the Minds of Babes: How Screen Time Affects Children From Birth to Age 5." "It’s a study about how much parents matter in some ways. It’s basically telling us that TV used at these very young ages is not having a significant effect for good or for ill if it’s a relatively low amount of TV watching.

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Rewards for Students Under Microscope

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:19:00 -0500

For decades, psychologists have warned against giving children prizes or money for their performance in school. "Extrinsic" rewards, they say - a stuffed animal for a 4-year-old who learns her alphabet, cash for a good report card in middle or high school - can undermine the joy of learning for its own sake and can even lead to cheating. But many economists and businesspeople disagree, and their views often prevail in the educational marketplace. Reward programs that pay students are under way in many cities. In
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