We at CI are thrilled to spotlight Dr. Erinn Duprey, whose recent accomplishments are not only impressive but also pivotal in advancing our mission in early childhood prevention and intervention research.

Recently Ibero Early Childhood Services celebrated its Universal Pre-Kindergarten students Moving Up Ceremony. Ibero also celebrated Children’s Institute’s Get Ready to GROW (GROW) Bilingual Navigator, Teresa Medero, and GROW Screener, Terilu Webster, for their support to staff and Ibero families in their work screening Ibero students.

Jared Gosling joined Children’s Institute as an intern in Research and Evaluation in the 2024-2025 school year while a senior at SUNY Brockport. Jared’s analytic skills, spreadsheet work, research skills, intellectual curiosity, and outstanding work ethic has made him an invaluable part of CI, in more ways than one.

In early childhood education, play is more than just fun; it's the foundation of learning, connection, and development. But what happens when traditional play environments don’t meet the needs of every child? This is where adaptive play becomes a powerful tool for inclusion.

Juneteenth (Independence Day or Freedom Day) is the oldest known observance commemorating the end of slavery. Juneteenth is a deeply meaningful holiday for the Black community, representing not just freedom but also the ongoing struggle for equality, equity, and justice. 

In early childhood, behavior is often the language children use when they don’t yet have the words to express their needs, feelings, or frustrations. As educators, caregivers, and mental health professionals, we know that challenging behaviors are often signs of lagging skills, not defiance. So, how do we support children in building these vital skills? The answer lies in one of the most powerful tools we have: PLAY.

At the Rochester Area Parent Program (RAPP), we believe that play is more than just fun—it’s a powerful tool for connection, learning, and growth. Through our online parenting classes for caregivers of children ages 2–8, we introduce simple, effective strategies that make a big difference. One of the first and most impactful? Child-Centered Time.

As Antoinette Portis says in her classic book, Not a Box, “A box is just a box . . . unless it's not a box. From mountain to rocket ship, a small rabbit shows that a box will go as far as the imagination allows.” It reminds us that sometimes, the most magical play begins with the simplest items.