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Faculty

Lynn E. Cohen, Ph.D.

Professor

B.S., State University of New York, New PaltzM.S., Johns Hopkins UniversityPh.D., Fordham University; Early Childhood Technology Certification – Tufts University

Description

Dr. Lynn Cohen is professor in the department of teaching and literacy at Long Island University/Post. She teaches courses at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels.  Before becoming a teacher educator, she was a preschool, kindergarten, and literacy teacher.  Dr. Cohen enjoys the mixing of teaching, mentoring students, providing service to local school districts, producing scholarly research, and participating in service to Long Island University/Post and professional organizations. 
She has strong interests in the academic and social skills of early childhood students from diverse cultural backgrounds, including the ways in which children are classed and gendered.  She explores these areas in educational institutions and peer cultures in and out of school settings. Her recent publications are framed from the sociological and philosophical theories of Mikhail Bakhtin; only a few international scholars have operationalized early education from a Bakhtinian perspective


Specialties

Early Childhood, Emergent Literacy, Play, School Readiness, Technology, University-School Partnerships Language Development, Dual Language Learners, Contemporary Literacies


Publications

Publications (Last 10 years)

Books

Cohen, L.E. & Waite-Stupiansky, S. (2020) STEM for Early Childhood Learners: How Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Strengthen Learning. New York, NY: Routledge.

Cohen, L.E. & Waite-Stupiansky, S. (March 2017) Theories of early childhood: Developmental, Behaviorist, and Critical. New York, NY: Routledge.

Cohen, L.E. & Waite-Stupiansky, S. (2013). Learning Across the Early Childhood Curriculum, Advances in Early Education and Day Care (Vol. 17). United Kingdom:  Emerald Group Publishers. 

Cohen, L. E. & Waite-Stupiansky, S.  (2011). Play: A polyphony of research, theories , and issues. Lanham, MD: University Press of America. 

Book Chapters

Cohen, L.E. & Emmons, J.  (2018). Block play: Spatial language with preschool and school-aged children.  In D. Wisneski & J. Nicholson (Eds.), Towards Social Justice and Equity: Reconsidering the Role of Play in Early Childhood, New York: Taylor & Francis.

Cohen, L.E. & Waite-Stupiansky, S. (2016). Play for all ages: An exploration of intergenerational play. In M. Patte & J. Sutterby (Eds.), Celebrating 40 Years of Research: Reflecting on our Past, Exploring the Present, and Playing into the Future, Play and Culture Studies, Vol. 13, Lanham, MD: Hamilton Books. 

Cohen, L.E. (2016). Economic differences in play.  In D. L. Couchenour & J.K. Chrisman. (Eds.). The Sage Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education, (pp. 512-513). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483340333.n138

Cohen, L.E. (2015). Play through a Bakhtinian Lens. In S. Eberle, T. ,Henricks, J.E. Johnson, & D. Kushner (Eds.), The Handbook of the Study of Play, Lanham, MD:  Rowman & Littlefield.

Cohen, L.E. & Friedman, D. (2015). The Early Development Instrument:  A bioecological view of school readiness. In W. Parnell & J.M. Iorio (Eds.), Rethinking Readiness in Early Childhood Education: Implications for Policy and Practice, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Cohen, L.E. (2014). Effects of schooling on language development.  In P. Brooks & V. Kempe (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Language Development (pp. 188- 189). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publication.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Cohen, L.E. (2017). Preschool discourse interactions: Playful meaning making from a carnival lens. Knowledge Cultures, 5(3), 59-70. doi: 10.22381/KC5320175.

Cohen, L.E. & Emmons, J. (2017). Block play: Spatial language with preschool and school-aged children, Early Childhood Development & Care, 187 (5-6), 967-977

 Cohen, L.E. (2015). Layers of discourse in children’s play: An exploration of double-voicing in children’s social interactions. International Journal of Early Childhood, Springer Publishing.

Cohen, L.E., Kramer-Vida, L., Frye, N., & Andreou, M. (2014). The effect of bilingual instruction and play on preschoolers’ English proficiency. International Journal of Play. doi: 10.1080/21594937.2013.876573.

Cohen, L.E. (2011). Bakhtin’s carnival and pretend role play: A Comparison of social contexts.  4(2).  American Journal of Play.  Rochester, NY: The Strong Museum.

Cohen, L.E., Kramer-Vida, L., & Frye, N.  (2012). Using dialogic reading as professional development to improve students’ English and Spanish vocabulary.  NHSA Dialog, 15(1), 1-22. doi:10.1080/15240754.2011.636490.

Cohen, L.E., Kramer-Vida, L., & Frye, N.  (2012). Implementing dialogic reading with culturally, linguistically diverse preschool children. NHSA Dialog, 15(1), 1-7.doi: 10.1080/15240754.2011.639965. 

Cohen, L.E. & Uhry, J.K. (2010).  Naming block structures:  A multitmodal approach. Early Childhood Education Journal, 39(1), 79-87. doi: 10.1007/s10643-010-0425-x.

Cohen, L.E. (2009). The heteroglossic world of preschoolers’ pretend play.  Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 10(4). 

Cohen, L.E., Kurstedt, R. & May, M. (2009).  Fluency, text structure, and comprehension: A complex relationship. Reading Horizons Journal, 49(2).

Cohen, L.E. (2009). Exploring cultural heritage in a kindergarten classroom.  Young Children, 64(3).


Grants

Faculty Research Grant – Project: A comparison of traditional and technology based numeracy-related contexts. An investigation comparing preschool use of the traditional board game, Chutes and Ladders with online version on I-Pads.

Wyandanch Early Childhood Curriculum Project – Wyandanch Union Free School District – Long Island University Partnership: Universal Pre-K Program – 2008-2014

Rauch Foundation – Project: Implement Tools of the Mind Curriculum to three early childhood classrooms in Wyandanch Union Free School District.

Faculty Research Grant – Project - Bilingual Fairy Tales Supported with Play Props.

Faculty Research Grant – Project – Dialogic Reading with Preschoolers.




Lectures and Presentations

Presentations (Last 10 years)

Cohen, L.E. (2019, November).  I-Pad Apps for Early Childhood Programs.  Research presentation at the 2019 National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators.  Nashville, TN.

Schwartz, M., Cohen, L.E. (2019, April). Multimodal approach to ENL’s oral language with literacy and dialogue. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association.  Toronto, CA.

Cohen, L.E., Koerner, L., Laskowski, M.  (2019, March).  Mixed Age Play for Elementary Students.  Symposium presentation of The 45th Association for the Study of Play & International Play Association U.S.A. Harrisonburg, VA.

Campanelli, C. & Cohen, L. (2018, June).  An exploratory study in mixed age family childcare using the LENA System.  Paper presented at the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators.  Austin, TX.

Cohen, L.E. (2018, February).  Socioeconomic Differences between Play in Two Preschool Contexts.  Paper presentation of the Association for the 44th International conference for the study of play.  Melbourne, FL.

Cohen, L.E. & Emmons, J. (2017, April). Metacognition and Talk in Block Play: In-school and out-of-school playful contexts.  Paper presentation of the Association for the 43rd International Conference for the study of Play. Rochester, NY: The Strong Museum of Play.

Cohen, L.E. (2007, April).  Creating Classroom Environments that Support Language and Literacy.  Long Island Pre-K Initiative.  Nassau BOCES, Uniondale, N.Y.

Cohen, L.E. (2016, April). Block Play: Spatial language and symbolism with preschool and school-aged children. Symposium paper for American Education Research Association.  Washington, DC.

Sullivan, M. & Cohen, L.E. (2016, April). Reconceptualizing teacher-student dialogue to support dual language learners oral and written responses to questions. Paper presentation for American Education Research Association.  Washington, DC.

Cohen, L.E. & Emmons, J. (2016, March). Unit block play with elementary students: Skills for the future. Paper presentation of the Association for the Study of Play and the American Association for the Child’s Right to Play (IPA/USA). Rutgers, NJ.

Cohen, L.E. (2015, November).  Multidisciplinary perspectives on children’s play: A synthesis of current research. National Association for the Education of Young Children. Orlando, FLA. 

Cohen, L.E. (2015, April). Preschool discourse interactions: Playful meaning making from a carnival lens. Symposium paper for American Education Research Association. Chicago, Ill.

Cohen, L.E. (2015, March). Block Play: Spatial Language and Vocabulary. Research presentation for The Association for the Study of Play.  San Antonio, Texas.

Cohen, L.E. (2014, July). Interlanguage learning: Social pretend play to educate hearts and minds.  International academic paper presentation for 15th International Mikhail Bakhtin Conference.  Södertörn University, Sweden.

Cohen, L.E. & Waite-Stupiansky, S.  (2014, April).  An intergenerational look at play. Research presentation for The Association for the Study of Play. Rochester, New York.

Cohen, L.E. & Kramer, Vida, L.  (2014, April).  The effects of bilingual instruction and play on preschoolers’ English proficiency.  Paper presentation for American Educational Research Association.  Philadelphia, PA.

Cohen, L.E. (2014, March). Guided Reading Instruction: A component of a balanced literacy program.  Presentation for teacher assistants of the Wyandanch Union Free School District.

Cohen, L.E. & Waite-Stupiansky, S.  (2013, November).  An intergenerational look at play. Featured paper session for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Washington, DC.

Cohen, L.E. (2013, November). Weaving together the golden strands of play and research.  Round table research session for the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Washington, DC.  

Cohen, L.E. & Kramer-Vida, L. (2013, April). Using dialogic reading as professional development to improve students’ English and Spanish vocabulary.  Research presentation for Institute for Global Education Diplomacy, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Cohen, L.E. & Waite-Stupiansky, S. (2013, March). Play: A Polyphony of Research, Theories, and Issues: A Panel of Authors from Play and Culture Studies.  A symposium highlighting the voices of children, parents and play advocates. Newark: DE

Cohen, L.E. (2012, December). Discourses in Early Childlhood:  A conceptual understanding of bilingualism.  Invited presenter for Conference of Elementary-Secondary Teaching & Learning (CESTL).

Cohen, L.E. (2012, November). Bakhtin’s Dialogic Process in Play: Dual Language Learners’ Dramatic Play.  Peer reviewed presentation for 20th International Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education Conference.  Penn State College. 

Cohen, L.E. & Johnson, J.E.  (2012, April). A Dialectical Conception of Play Theory: Cultural-Historical Views.   Peer reviewed research presentation for American Educational Research Association. Vancouver, Canada.

Cohen, L.E. (2012, April).  Bakhtin’s Dialogic Process in Play.  Peer review symposium presentation for The Association for the Study of Play. Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Cohen, L.E. (2011, November). Children’s Animal Performances: A Shift from Ages to Stages to Ideological Becoming.  Peer reviewed research presentation for National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Orlando, FL.

Cohen, L.E.  (2011, July). The Carnivalesque World of Social Pretend Play. Peer reviewed presentation for the 14th International Bakhtin conference. (University of Bologna, Italy).

Cohen, L.E. & Johnson, J.E.  (2011,April). Critical play theory: A review of critical literature on play and play research.  Peer reviewed research presentation for American Educational Research Association. New Orleans, Louisiana.

Cohen, L.E.  (2010, May).  Purposeful play to support oral language.  Invited key note presentation for Stamford Public Schools.  Stamford, CT. 

Cohen, L.E. (2010, November).  Clearing away the rubble from the offspring:  Making room for play in the lives of children.  Peer reviewed research presentation for National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Cohen, L.E. (2010, October).  Researching with children. Collecting data in the classroom.  Presentation for Long Island University doctoral students.

Cohen, L.E. (2010, July). Preschoolers learn Words: Storybooks, pictures, and play. Invited presentation at Lighting Pathways to Literacy conference.

Cohen, L.E. (2010, July). Interactive read-alouds/Shared Reading . Invited presentation at Lighting Pathways to Literacy conference.

Cohen, L.E. (2010, June).  Early language and literacy in pre-kindergarten.  Presentation for Trinity Lutheran Pre-K.

Cohen, L.E. (2010, April). The carnivalesque world of social pretend play.  Peer reviewed research presentation for American Educational Research Association.  Denver, Colorado.

Cohen, L.E. (2010, April). Purposeful play to support oral language. Invited presentation for state funded Early Reading First teachers.

Cohen, L.E. (2010, March). Popular culture enters the block area.  Peer reviewed research presentation for The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) and International Play Association (IPA). Atlanta, GA.

Cohen, L.E. (2010, January).  ELLCO Pre-K.  Early language and literacy classroom assessment.  Invited training for literacy coaches on the use of classroom assessment in Pre-kindergarten. Eastern Suffolk BOCES.


Honors/Awards

March 2017 – David Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching – Long Island University/Post

November 2015 – Service Award - National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Play, Policy, Practice Interest Forum

November 2012 - Patricia Nourot Award, National Association for the Education of Young Children


Affiliations

  • Editorial Board, Dialogic Pedagogy Journal: An International Online Journal, http://dpj.pitt.edu
  • Secretary, Association for the Study of Play
  • Founding Member and of the Play, Policy, Practice Interest Forum of the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Member, National Association Early Childhood Teacher Educators
  • Member, American Educational Research Association
  • Member, Association for Childhood Education International
  • Member, Society for Child Development