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
Often in early childhood special education classrooms, goals and instruction are concentrated on immediate developmental concerns, while early literacy skills are seen as a separate and less prioritized instructional focus. Current research on emergent literacy, however, reveals that literacy skills are critically important and intertwined with all aspects of child development. Therefore, literacy instruction should be embedded throughout daily activities and routines in order for children with disabilities to develop skills that will be critically important throughout their education (National Early Literacy Panel, 2009).
Resources
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.
• T-TAC ODU: Online Module
Complete the registration form in order to receive the link to the module.
o Embedding Communication into Early Literacy Activities– This module will demonstrate four key strategies when infusing communication skills with literacy activities such as: keeping the story personal, using simple language and vivid images, employing a repeating phrase or “fill-in-the-blank”, and including interactivity to keep it engaging. Each strategy is detailed and includes multiple suggestions that can make your job easier.
• T/TAC Online: Techknowledgy Conference
Register for an account in order to access trainings and receive a certificate of completion.
o See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me, Hear Me: Adapting Books for Divergent Learners– Explore this rich collection of literacy and thematic resources for Do-It Yourselfers! These resources are based on the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear and the “space” theme and offer PowerPoint slides, templates, resource guides and literacy planners.
o Making Books Come to Life– Making Books Come to Life helps professionals and families working with young children with disabilities learn more about literacy and how to make literacy experiences accessible, fun and engaging for all young learners. Explore these resources at your own pace, use them with your students, or use these materials to teach others how to adapt literacy experiences for all!
o Home Literacy Experiences of Nonverbal Children and Practical Ways to Improve Them– This webshop begins with research relating to home literacy experiences of non-verbal children, and targets specific needs of these children. Practical methods and technologies are provided to help increase positive literacy outcomes. The goal of the webshop is to improve literacy outcomes for all students with speech impairments including those with cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome and any other disability where there is a deficit in expressive speech.
• CELL: Center for Early Literacy Learning
o Self-guided Learning Modules- The Center for Early Literacy Learning provides resources for early childhood practitioners and other caregivers of children, birth to five years of age, with identified disabilities, developmental delays, and those at-risk for poor outcomes. Module topics include: Early Literacy Learning Domains, Literacy-Rich
Environments, Child Interests, Everyday Literacy Activities, and Responsive Teaching.
• CONNECT: The Center to Mobilize Early Childhood Knowledge
No registration necessary.
o Module 6: Dialogic Reading Practices- Shared-reading interventions, like dialogic reading, can have a significant impact both on young children’s oral language skills and on young children’s print knowledge. Through this module, learn about the purpose, use and potential benefits of dialogic reading practices when working with young children.
Reference
National Early Literacy Panel. (2009). Developing early literacy: Report of the national early literacy panel, executive summary. Washington, DC: National Institute for Literacy.
