The Child Development Institute
Through its outreach to teachers, parents, administrators, community coalitions, and others committed to facilitating the growth of healthy, creative children, the Child Development Institute communicates a progressive educational philosophy and provides a forum for the discussion of issues related to children, childhood, and education.
Summer Professional Development Programs
Play’s the Thing: Facilitating Play Program
June 9-13, 2012
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Empowering Teachers Program
July 9-13, 2012
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Apply now! Space is limited!
2012 Thomas Wright Lecture
Save the Date
July 9, 2012
Teaching and Learning in a Diverse and Inequitable World
Patricia Ramsey, EdD
Dr. Joan Lombardi Inspires
This year's Longfellow Lecturer, Dr. Joan Lombardi, inspired over 200 educators, parents, faculty, staff, students, and members of the community with her talk on Early Childhood Development in the US: Looking Back and Moving Forward.
Defending the Early Years Survey
Defending the Early Years, a nonprofit project dedicated to encouraging educators to speak out about the current policies' impact on the education of young children, is conducting a national survey for early childhood professionals. To participate in the survey, click here.
In Defense of Childhood Conference
On March 10, 2012, CDI and SLC educators led sessions at the In Defense of Childhood: Keeping the Joy of Learning Alive Conference at City College of New York.
CDI participates in ACEI Global Summit
On behalf of the Child Development Institute and Art of Teaching Graduate Program, Sara Wilford presented Nordic Perspectives on Caring and Teaching in Early Childhood at the Association for Childhood Education International’s (ACEI) Global Summit on Childhood in Washington, DC, on March 28, 2012.
Child Development News
- April 6, 2012 – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, "Can autistic kids be helped by a play-based program?"
- February 12, 2012 – The New York Times, "A Field Trip to A Strange New Place: Second Grade Visits the Parking Garage"
- February 9, 2012 – The New York Times, "Education Gap Grows Between Rich and Poor, Studies Say"
- December 26, 2011 – Pediatrics, "The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bond: Focus on Children in Poverty"
- December 6, 2011 – Education Week, "Common Core Poses Challenges for Preschools"
Workshop and Speakers Bureau
As part of the CDI Speakers Bureau, workshops are conducted by early childhood professionals for educators, school administrators, children’s librarians, parents, community coalitions, and others who are engaged in promoting children’s creativity and healthy development.
Contact Us
Child Development Institute
Sarah Lawrence College
1 Mead Way
Bronxville, New York 10708-5999
Tel: (914) 395-2630
Fax: (914) 395-2631
E-mail: cdi@sarahlawrence.edu
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Discover magazine interviews Dr. W. Ian Lipkin '74, "the world's most celebrated virus hunter" 
Adam Savage of Mythbusters to deliver commencement keynote address on Friday, May 18 
President Karen Lawrence and Meghan Roguschka '12 discuss the value of an SLC education on CBS' Sunday Morning 
