Play, Literacy, and the Science of Reading in Early Childhood Classrooms
Date:
December 9 @ 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Price:
Topics:
- Early Childhood Education
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- Early Childhood Special Education
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- Literacy
Instructor(s):
Christine Hertz Hausman
Event Type:
Virtual
Professional Learning Hours:
5
Intended Audience:
PreK and K Teachers, early childhood special educators, administrators
The VT-HEC Mission Investment Fund provides scholarships to participants who have minimal or no financial support for professional learning from their employer. Access the scholarship application through our website, or reach out with any questions.
Grounded in current research on the science of reading and best practices in early childhood education, this session will highlight how playful, meaningful interactions build the foundational skills children need for later reading success. Through classroom examples, hands-on activities, and collaborative discussion, participants will learn how to intentionally embed evidence-based literacy practices into authentic play experiences while honoring children’s curiosity, agency, and developmental needs.
Participants will:
- Explore how play-based experiences can strengthen the foundational skills identified by the science of reading, including oral language, vocabulary, phonological awareness, print concepts, and alphabet knowledge.
- Learn how to integrate literacy-rich opportunities throughout the day, supporting emergent reading and writing without disrupting authentic play.
- Discover strategies for designing developmentally appropriate learning experiences that meet the diverse strengths, interests, and needs of young learners.
- Collaborate with fellow educators to reflect on current practice, share successful strategies, and develop actionable plans for implementing play-centered literacy instruction in their own classrooms.
