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Early Literacy in Early Childhood Settings

Make Literacy Come Alive

Inspire a lifelong love of reading with simple, hands-on literacy strategies you can use in your classroom tomorrow. Discover engaging, research-based activities that build language, phonological awareness, and early reading skills in preschool learners. You'll leave with ready-to-use literacy materials and classroom resources to immediately put these ideas into practice.

MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be expected to:

Alignment to Indiana Early Childhood Core Knowledge and Competencies:

  1. Child and Youth Growth and Development

1.2 how to use intentional interactions to support infant/ child/youth development

1.5 concepts, content and learning trajectories that are important in early learning of major subject-matter areas, including language and literacy, mathematics, science, technology, engineering, arts and social studies

1.7 how cognitive development, specific content knowledge and skills, general learning competencies, socioemotional development, physical development and health interact to facilitate learning and overall development

  1. Observation and Assessment

3.4 about valid and reliable observation and assessment techniques for monitoring each infant/child/youth’s progress, how to effectively administer the techniques, and how to adjust practice based on results

3.6 how to recognize signs that indicate that an infant, child or youth may need to be assessed and/or referred for specialized services (e.g., developmental delays, mental health concerns, social support needs, etc.)

  1. Learning Environment and Curriculum

4.1 how to use knowledge of content, concepts and learning trajectories to design the curriculum and learning environments

4.3 the value of play and how to provide meaningful learning experiences to support infant/child/youth development and learning

4.7 how to embed a variety of teaching strategies and learning approaches in everyday activities and routines to cover all major subject areas (language and literacy, mathematics, science, technology, arts, engineering and social studies)

This class is an excellent fit for preschool teachers, pre-K educators, childcare providers, and other early childhood professionals who want to strengthen their literacy instruction. Whether you're new to the classroom or an experienced educator, you'll gain practical, hands-on strategies and ready-to-use resources that you can confidently implement with young learners.