As you know, literacy is one of the most important aspects of early childhood development and includes what I like to refer to as the “High Five” early literacy skills: 1) phonological and phonemic awareness; 2) alphabet knowledge, 3) concepts about print 4) oral language and 5) early writing. The “High Five” early literacy skills… Read more »
Tag: Early Literacy
Leveraging MTSS and the Pyramid Model to Support Early Literacy Skills
Fostering the healthy development of young minds in early care and education optimizes early literacy skills acquisition. It requires providing the best possible support to nurture children’s social, emotional, and academic growth. Two research-based frameworks have emerged as guiding principles: Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and the Pyramid Model. By understanding and implementing these approaches,… Read more »
Authentic Literacy Skills Assessment in the Early Years
Literacy skills form the foundation of a child’s academic journey, empowering them to explore the world through books, imagination, and knowledge. It is essential to assess children’s literacy skills accurately and meaningfully. Authentic assessment methods offer a window into a child’s true capabilities, so that learning experiences can be tailored and and targeted support can… Read more »
Unlocking Early Literacy with Universal Design for Learning
Early literacy skills lay the foundation for a child’s lifelong learning journey. Every child is unique, and they learn and develop at their own pace. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) aims to create inclusive learning environments by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression. When applied to early literacy instruction, UDL can support and… Read more »
Water Play is Dripping with Literacy Opportunities!
What better way to spend a hot July day than outside playing in water! Whether it be floating at the pool, running through a sprinkler, splashing in a water table, sitting in the beach surf or wading in a creek, water play holds incredible potential for promoting early literacy skills development in young children. Through… Read more »
Using Literacy to Celebrate Differences!
The early years set the tone for children’s feelings, beliefs, and ideas about those different from them. As shared in this previous blog post: https://blogs.iu.edu/earlyliteracy/2023/06/12/discussing-race-and-freedom-with-young-children/, the sooner these conversations start, the better. Supporting children to learn about the world’s diversity is especially important if you live and/or work in a mostly homogeneous community. Books are… Read more »
Equitable Literacy: Foundational Principle II: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Early Childhood Environments
If you haven’t yet, be sure to visit this original blog post https://blogs.iu.edu/earlyliteracy/ which shared 6 evidence-based foundational equitable principles for supporting diverse learners. Implementing these principles into your classroom provides all children equitable educational opportunities. UDL and You! Every teacher knows and appreciates how complicated and diverse our young learners are. It can be overwhelming… Read more »
The Foundation of Equitable Literacy Instruction
What is equitable literacy instruction? Equitable literacy instruction is comprised of instructional practices that support all children to achieve high outcomes regardless of ability, race, or any other marginalized identity. Our extensive literature review identified 6 equitable foundational principles that provide the necessary classroom infrastructure for implementing effective equitable literacy instruction in Preschool to 3rd… Read more »
Independent Reading in Preschool: More than Just words
Independent reading can be defined as “reading children choose to do on their own. It reflects the reader’s personal choice of the material read as well as the time and place to read it. It is done for information and pleasure” (Cullinan, 2000). While you likely understand the value of independent reading once children are… Read more »
A (Not So) Simple View of Reading?
We know a lot about teaching reading well. I say this (too) frequently in my work as a literacy researcher and teacher educator. We know a lot about teaching reading well. I say it so much because I want the teachers I work with to know that there are scientific ways to help young children become… Read more »