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Faculty

Lynn E. Cohen, Ph.D.

Professor

B.S., SUNY New PaltzM.S., Johns Hopkins University | Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership, LIUPh.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. (December 2023) Theories of early childhood: Developmental, Behaviorist, and Critical. (2nd Ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

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. & Kalthoff, A. (2021). Engaging all learners in quality early childhood teacher education. In J. Burris, D. Karno, & D. Rosen (Eds.). Empowering Early Childhood Educators with Technology. IGI Global.

Cohen, L.E. (2021). Large blocks, unit blocks as building materials. In D. Bergen (Ed.). Handbook of Developmentally Appropriate Toys. Rowman & Littlefield.

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. (2023). Vygotskian framework for observing and teaching bilingual and English-only players. American Journal of Play, (13), 3, 333-358.

Parrott, H. & Cohen, L.E. (2021). Advantages of mixed-age free play at an elementary school: Perceptions of students, teachers, and parents. International Journal of Play

Parrott, H. & Cohen, L.E. (2020). Advocating for play: The benefits of unstructured play in public schools. School Community Journal, 30(2), 229-254.

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. (June, 2024). Invited speaker. Developing strategies to promote block play. Great Neck Community School, Great Neck, New York.

Cohen, L.E. (June, 2024). Constructionism and play in higher education. National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators Spring Conference. Virtual conference.

Cohen, L.E. (April 2024). Cross dialogue between senior researchers and early career researchers. 10th Annual Mentoring Session at Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), Philadelphia, PA., April 2024.

Cohen, L.E. (March 2024). Computational thinking as an agent of change in teaching and learning. The Association for the Study of Play, Rochester, New York

Cohen, L.E., Baboolal, K., Curcio, T., Olsen, C. (May 2023). An intergenerational project to look at play across the decades. The Association for the Study of Play, NYC.

Cohen, L.E. (2023). Gender comparisons of children’s discourse in play. Association for the Study of Play. NYC.

Cohen, L.E. (2023). Toward Consequential Research in Language and Social Processes. Mentoring Session at Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), Chicago. Ill., April 2023.

Cohen, L.E. & Kalthoff, A. (November 2022). Computational thinking as an agent of change in teaching and learning. National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE). Higher Education’s Role in Strengthening the Early Years: Collaborative and Community Building in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Teacher Education.

Cohen, L.E., Grim, S. (May 2022). “Engineering Design Play” in Higher Education. The Association for the Study of Play. Virtual Conference.

Campanelli, C., & Cohen, L.E. (2022). Birth to three language acquisition: Influences of Ambient language in the Montessori Setting. Paper for Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), San Diego, CA., April 2022.

Cohen, L.E. & Kalthoff, A. (2021). Coding/computational thinking in the early years. 2021 Bright Start International Conference, November 2021.

Schwartz, M. & Cohen, L.E. (2021). An intertextual analysis of narrative picture books: English & New Language Learner’s intertextual analysis. In Sara C. Michael-Luna (Chair), Refining curriculums, literacy and language. Paper accepted for virtual conference at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), April 2021.

Cohen, L.E. et al. (2021). Accepting educational responsibility in research: Reimagining community-driven methods and mentoring for a new decade. Workshop session accepted for Language and Social Processes special interest group at the virtual Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), April 2021.

Cohen, L.E. (2020). The value of block play. Invited guest speaker for Fordham University Graduate School of Education.

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
  • Editorial Board – International Journal of Early Childhood Education
  • 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