Bianca Tanis teaches young children in New York. She is a founding member of NYSAPE, New York Dtate Alliance of Parents and Educators. She is also a teacher of children with special needs.
Frustrated by the state’s indifference to the needs of young children, she wrote this post and interviewed teachers about what matters most for teaching and learning: PLAY.

When did our society become so averse to childhood and all of its glory? Why do adults think that children should act as and be treated as mini adults? Why do people think that allowing children to play and live life is coddling them and making them lazy and soft. Why do we do this to our children? Why do loving and well meaning parents go along with this? Competition is the only thing I can think of. There are many years to be a slave to the workforce, but childhood is fleeting and magical.
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As one of the teachers in the video stated, “It is much easier to deal with standards than issues of equity.” We spend too much time mandating one size fits all versions of “accountability,” than trying to address the inherent inequities in children’s lives and schools.
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OMG! This is totally ridiculous. 75 standards? Maybe standards should be written for parents so they can start this craziness as soon the child is born. DUH….
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Start in the womb.
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Who is best to contact about this? NYSED?
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You can contact the members of the Board of Regents. All of their contact info is listed here, PlayMattersNYS.wordpress.com.
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Click to access ELG.pdf
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