Session Description: An early learning classroom does not exist in isolation of a larger sociocultural whole. To make learning experiences more relevant and to foster children’s critical capacity to share their lives and our world, an early learning environment must take into account children’s cultures, prior experiences, and frames of references. In culturally responsive and...
Session Description: This element focuses on the support of children’s language development and comprehension. Oral language is made up of receptive (listening) and expressive (speaking) components. Long before they can express themselves, young children begin to understand what is being said. This is known as receptive language. Once they begin to say sounds, words, and...
Session Description: This session will explore integrated planning around anchor books and looks at the school/site’s efforts to develop curricular experiences integrated around a culturally preserving, developmentally-appropriate anchor book with repeated reads. In this approach, teachers plan and implement activities that connect with a selected book to extend learning throughout the day. Focus words and...
Session Description: This session will discuss element 6, Emergent Literacy Skills, which considers how teachers explicitly plan and provide curricular experiences and developmentally appropriate activities to support the development of early literacy skills. When there is a focus on emergent literacy, teachers promote children’s awareness of the sounds of language, recognition of letters, development of...
Session Description: This session will discuss policies and practices for monitoring children’s developmental progress in all areas (with a focus on language and literacy). Following a cyclical process relying heavily...
Session Description: This session will explore the Ecosystem Element 8, which focuses on intentional supports for DLL learners. Dual Language Learners (DLLs) or emergent bilinguals, are children learning and developing in...
Session Description: All families care about their children and just like teachers, want to support their learning. It's essential to plan to establish strong partnerships with families from the beginning. This...
