Sara Wilford facts for kids

Sara Wilford (born Sara Delano Roosevelt Whitney di Bonaventura, March 13, 1932 – October 22, 2021) was a respected psychologist and teacher. She spent many years teaching at Sarah Lawrence College. She was known for her work in early childhood education.

Who Was Sara Wilford?

Sara Wilford was a psychologist who dedicated her career to helping young children learn and grow. She taught at Sarah Lawrence College for over 30 years. She also led important programs there.

Sara Wilford's Family Background

Sara Wilford was born into a well-known American family. Her mother was Betsey Cushing Roosevelt Whitney. Betsey was known for her generous support of medicine and art. Sara's father was James Roosevelt, a businessperson. James was the oldest son of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was a U.S. president. Her grandmother was Eleanor Roosevelt, a famous First Lady. Later, John Hay Whitney became her adoptive father.

Sara Wilford's Career in Education

Sara Wilford was passionate about education, especially for young children. She earned a special degree in education from Bank Street College of Education. This degree helped her become an expert in teaching.

Leading Early Childhood Programs

From 1982 to 2014, Sara Wilford taught at Sarah Lawrence College. She directed the "Art of Teaching" program. This program helped graduate students learn how to teach young children. She also led the college's Early Childhood Center for 21 years. This center was like a special school where college students could learn by working directly with children aged 2 to 6.

Making a Difference at the Center

During her time as director, Sara Wilford made many improvements. She added a class for 5- and 6-year-olds. She also helped more families get financial aid. This made it possible for more children to attend the center.

Sharing Her Knowledge

Sara Wilford taught courses that connected how children develop with how they learn. She led workshops and conferences about early childhood education. She also helped people learn about how children learn to read. She was part of the advisory board for Child Magazine.

Books by Sara Wilford

Sara Wilford wrote two important books. One book was called Tough Topics: How to Use Books in Talking with Children About Life Issues and Problems. The other was What you Need to Know When Your Child is Learning to Read. These books helped parents and teachers guide children through different challenges.

International Work in Education

Sara Wilford's interest in early childhood education went beyond the U.S. In 1993, she visited the Schools of Reggio Emilia in Italy. These schools are famous for their unique teaching methods. In 1996, she attended a conference in South Africa about early childhood education. She also gave a presentation in Greece and visited New Zealand and Australia to learn about literacy.

Helping Parents and Educators

Sara Wilford was featured in the "Learning Child Series" videos. These videos were made for public television. Experts from the Child Development Institute at Sarah Lawrence College guided the project. The videos helped parents and teachers understand how to support children. They taught that every child is special and learns in their own way.

Awards and Recognition

Sara Wilford received several awards for her work. In 1999, she got an Outstanding Service Award from Westchester Community College. In 2009, she was honored with a "Champions for Children Leader of the Year Award." This award came from the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children.

Sara Wilford's Personal Life

Sara Wilford was married twice. Her first husband was the classical pianist Anthony di Bonaventura. They had five children together. Later, she married Ronald A. Wilford in 1973. They were married until his death in 2015. Sara Wilford passed away on October 22, 2021.