NSU Horizons Spring 2014

6 HORIZONS “The value of play is really what my mother introduced, as well as the value of emotional development along with pro- viding education,” said Wendy Masi, Ph.D., who worked with her mother, Marilyn Segal, and served as dean of what was then the Mailman Segal Institute of Childhood Studies. “My mother had already been doing community outreach as part of her research and teaching. The series of films led her to realize that instead of watching the films with parents, she could use them as learning and teaching tools.” Segal established a school for parents as part of the series, which later grew into the center’s Early Learning Programs. “It just came from the wonderful feelings I had about chil- dren. The idea was that this would be a premier demonstra- tion center that would make a statement about what is the best way to educate children, parents, and families—and how important it is for everyone to be involved. It’s not just enough to have great programs, but what’s really important is to show people that this is what can be done, this is what children and families deserve,” said Segal. “Of course, we were always learning and changing. The foundation always considered how the parent, teacher,