Training Course on Promoting Early Literacy and Reading Readiness

Training Course on Promoting Early Literacy and Reading Readiness

Introduction

Training Course on Promoting Early Literacy and Reading Readiness delves into the critical foundations of early literacy development and reading readiness, empowering educators, parents, and caregivers with evidence-based strategies. We explore the profound impact of early language experiences on cognitive development, academic success, and lifelong learning, emphasizing the interconnectedness of oral language, phonological awareness, print awareness, and vocabulary acquisition. Participants will gain actionable insights and practical tools to cultivate a rich literacy environment, fostering a love for reading and laying a robust groundwork for future academic achievement.

Our program emphasizes play-based learning and developmentally appropriate practices, aligning with the latest research in early childhood education. We highlight the significance of interactive reading, storytelling, and meaningful conversations in building strong literacy skills from infancy through the early school years. This course is designed to equip professionals and families with the knowledge and confidence to nurture emergent readers, ensuring every child has the opportunity to unlock their full potential and thrive in a text-rich world.

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

1. Equip participants with a deep understanding of core early literacy components: phonemic awareness, alphabet knowledge, print concepts, vocabulary development, and narrative skills.
2. Apply research-backed methodologies for teaching decoding, encoding, and reading comprehension in early childhood settings.
3. Utilize effective techniques to enhance children's listening comprehension, expressive language, and conversational skills as precursors to reading.
4. Design and implement engaging learning spaces that naturally promote print awareness and interaction with diverse literary materials.
5. Create and lead playful activities that build children's ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language, including rhyming, alliteration, and syllable segmentation.
6. Support the development of emergent writing through mark-making, drawing, and pre-writing activities to foster letter recognition and fine motor skills.
7. Implement dynamic read-aloud techniques and dialogic reading to enhance comprehension, vocabulary, and a love for books.
8. Adapt strategies to meet the unique needs of all children, including English Language Learners (ELLs) and those with diverse learning abilities.
9. Empower parents and caregivers with practical strategies to support home literacy practices and strengthen home-school connections.
10. Understand and utilize appropriate formative assessments to track children's progress in early literacy and inform instructional decisions.
11. Explore and integrate age-appropriate digital literacy tools and interactive media to enhance reading readiness.
12. Develop strategies to instill a lifelong love of reading in young children, extending beyond formal instruction into daily life.
13. Identify potential reading challenges and implement early intervention strategies to support struggling readers.

Organizational Benefits

• Improved academic readiness, higher literacy rates, and stronger cognitive development in young children.
• Increased confidence and competence among teachers and caregivers in implementing evidence-based early literacy practices.
• Increased parental engagement and collaboration in supporting children's literacy development.
• Alignment with best practices in early childhood education and national literacy standards.
• Proactive intervention and support for all learners, leading to greater educational equity.
• Creation of stimulating and supportive environments that foster a love for learning and reading.
• Investment in staff training leads to higher job satisfaction and better retention of skilled professionals.

Target Audience

1. Early Childhood Educators.
2. Parents and Caregivers
3. Librarians and Literacy Specialists.
4. Speech-Language Pathologists.
5. Child Development Professionals
6. Homeschooling Parents.
7. Educational Administrators
8. Policy Makers and Advocates

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Early Literacy

• Understanding the critical stages of literacy development from birth to age five.
• Exploring the Science of Reading and its implications for early literacy instruction.
• Identifying the six early literacy skills: print awareness, print motivation, vocabulary, narrative skills, phonological awareness, and letter knowledge.
• The profound connection between oral language development and later reading success.
• Case Study: Analyzing a real-world example of how early language exposure in a low-income community impacts children's literacy outcomes.

Module 2: Building Phonological Awareness

• Defining phonological awareness and its hierarchy of skills (rhyming, alliteration, word segmentation, syllable blending/segmentation, onset-rime, phoneme isolation/blending/segmentation/manipulation).
• Practical, play-based activities to develop phonological awareness in young children.
• Strategies for integrating songs, rhymes, and word games into daily routines.
• Recognizing the signs of phonological awareness challenges and early intervention techniques.
• Case Study: A preschool classroom implements daily phonological awareness games, showing significant improvements in children's sound recognition and word play.

Module 3: Alphabet Knowledge and Print Concepts

• Teaching letter recognition (names and shapes) and letter-sound correspondence effectively.
• Developing print awareness: understanding that print carries meaning, recognizing book parts, and directionality.
• Strategies for creating a print-rich environment in the home and classroom.
• Integrating environmental print into learning activities (e.g., street signs, food labels).
• Case Study: A daycare center transforms its play areas into literacy-rich zones, observing increased child engagement with books and print.

Module 4: Vocabulary and Oral Language Development

• The importance of a rich vocabulary for reading comprehension and academic success.
• Strategies for explicit vocabulary instruction and incidental word learning.
• Enhancing conversational skills through shared experiences and open-ended questions.
• Promoting narrative skills through storytelling, retelling, and dramatic play.
• Case Study: A parent shares how consistent "book talks" and asking open-ended questions during reading time significantly boosted their child's vocabulary and communication skills.

Module 5: Interactive Reading and Storytelling

• Mastering dialogic reading techniques to foster active engagement during read-alouds.
• The power of storytelling in developing imagination, language, and cultural understanding.
• Selecting developmentally appropriate books and diverse literature.
• Strategies for making reading a joyful and interactive experience for children.
• Case Study: A kindergarten teacher incorporates puppet shows and dramatic play around stories, leading to deeper comprehension and increased enthusiasm for reading.

Module 6: Emergent Writing and Fine Motor Skills

• Understanding the stages of emergent writing (scribbling, drawing, letter-like forms, conventional spelling).
• Activities to develop fine motor skills essential for writing readiness (e.g., cutting, drawing, playdough).
• Providing opportunities for purposeful writing experiences in play and daily routines.
• Connecting early writing with reading development.
• Case Study: A group of children with varying levels of fine motor skills are engaged in a "restaurant" dramatic play scenario, encouraging them to write menus and order tickets, showing how play fosters writing.

Module 7: Assessing and Differentiating Instruction

• Utilizing formative assessments to monitor early literacy progress (e.g., observation, checklists, informal tasks).
• Strategies for differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners.
• Supporting English Language Learners (ELLs) in their literacy journey.
• Addressing early reading difficulties and recognizing signs of potential learning challenges.
• Case Study: An educator uses a simple checklist to track a child's phonemic awareness skills, then adjusts their instruction based on the child's specific needs, leading to significant progress.

Module 8: Partnering with Families and Community

• Strategies for building strong home-school partnerships to support literacy.
• Empowering families with practical tips for creating literacy-rich homes.
• Connecting families with community literacy resources (e.g., libraries, book programs).
• Overcoming barriers to family engagement in literacy development.
• Case Study: A school implements a "Literacy Backpack" program, sending home bags with books and activities, leading to increased family reading time and positive feedback from parents.

Training Methodology:

This course utilizes a blended learning approach, combining interactive online modules with practical, hands-on activities and collaborative discussions.

• Interactive Lectures & Presentations: Engaging content delivered through video lectures, animated presentations, and expert insights.
• Hands-on Workshops & Activities: Practical exercises, role-playing scenarios, and creation of literacy materials.
• Case Study Analysis: In-depth discussion and problem-solving based on real-world examples.
• Collaborative Group Work: Opportunities for participants to share experiences, brainstorm ideas, and learn from peers.
• Demonstrations & Modeling: Expert facilitators will model effective early literacy strategies.
• Q&A Sessions & Open Discussions: Dedicated time for addressing participant questions and fostering active learning.
• Resource Sharing: Access to a curated collection of digital and printable resources, tools, and recommended readings.
• Reflective Journaling: Encouraging participants to reflect on their learning and plan for implementation.
• Optional On-Site Coaching/Mentorship: For organizations, opportunities for follow-up support and direct application in their settings

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.