Children with disabilities have been shown to have low rates of engagement during group activities and higher rates during routines (i.e., meal time) and free play (Kemp, Kishida, Carter, & Sweller, 2013). When planning instruction, it is important to find balance between teacher-directed and child- directed activities. Research Engagement is a necessary prerequisite for… Read More Math in Preschool: Powered by Play
Encouraging Writing in Early Childhood
One approach that is simple to implement and inclusive of children with and without disabilities is called Big Paper. Big Paper involves seating small groups of children around a large piece of bulletin board or butcher paper that is placed across a table or on the floor. Research Learning to write is a complex… Read More Encouraging Writing in Early Childhood
Achieving Positive Outcomes through Meaningful Instruction
Developing children’s interests during the preschool years is particularly important so that they learn to extend their ability to focus and maintain attention at an early age. Planning for children to spend sustained time with focused content and prioritizing the quality of learning experiences over the quantity of topics covered, is recognized as a developmentally… Read More Achieving Positive Outcomes through Meaningful Instruction
Free Resources to Support Early Literacy Development
Learn more about embedding literacy instruction into your classroom routine and activities through the following online learning opportunities. Each webinar or module is free and can be accessed at your convenience, making it easy to complete at your own pace and providing a great way to learn more about topics that interest you. Research… Read More Free Resources to Support Early Literacy Development
Making Books Accessible For All Children
It is important for children with disabilities to have equal opportunities to participate in these experiences and access books as independently as possible. Adapting books is one solution for supporting all children’s literacy development. Research Every child has the natural ability to respond to the language and pictures in books. Language encompasses the structure,… Read More Making Books Accessible For All Children
Developing Early Literacy Skills Using Environmental Print
Environmental print materials are easily accessible and affordable. Materials can include fast food menus, cereal boxes, food and drink labels, product packaging, catalogs, and common signs like those found on restroom doors. Choose items that capture children’s attention and are relevant to their age and interests. Research Printed materials that are part of a… Read More Developing Early Literacy Skills Using Environmental Print
Developing Early Literacy Skills through Shared-Reading
One shared-reading practice is called dialogic reading. In dialogic reading, the adult prompts the children by asking questions about the story or the pictures in the book, and provides feedback in the form of repetitions, expansions, and modeling of answers (National Early Literacy Panel, 2009). Research Shared-reading is often recommended as the single most… Read More Developing Early Literacy Skills through Shared-Reading