In this workshop, we will explore literacy in its natural habitat: a child’s playful exploration of their  world.  Teachers will think about the role of play, materials and the physical learning environment in children’s literacy development, reading and writing in a world that is increasingly digital, but our learning is still deeply rooted in hands-on explorations.  This interactive online workshop combines hands-on play, presentation, small and whole group discussion, and reflection. Throughout this workshop we will consider work with dual language and second language learners.

Objectives
Participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance of child-driven exploration in literacy development
• See the world as a place that is alive with literacy, and use that knowledge in planning the learning environment and experiences.
• Enhance their classroom/learning environment to embed more natural experiences for children’s literacy development
• Restructure small group and whole class reading and writing prompts into playful, engaging, exploratory experiences for students.
• Reframe storytelling as a vehicle for literacy explorations and personal connections
• Understand the cycle of observation, reflection, and planning to support individual children.

Outline 
Session 1: Literacy Development + Oral Language

• Literacy Overview
• Literacy Development Review, Birth to age 5: nature and nurture
• Various approaches to teaching literacy in the early years
• Phonemic Awareness
• The student’s voice: celebrating the individual
• Oral Storytelling + Transcription

Session 2: Symbol systems, Mark Making, and Writing

• Mark Making and symbolic communication: bridging the cognitive and fine motor
• Exploration of play materials for mark making
• Provocations for fine motor development and mark making exploration
• Inventive spelling and writing development
• Encouraging children’s personal stories (play stories and journals)

Session 3: Children’s Literature and Documentation

• The role of the adult in supporting children’s literacy development
• Planning the playful literacy environment
• Selecting and using high-quality children’s literature throughout the curriculum
• Documentation: showing stakeholders HOW children develop literacy through playful experiences
• Workshop Reflection

Trainer’s Profile

Allie P., M.S., is an early childhood educator from Washington state, USA.  She holds her B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education from New York University, as well as her M.S. in Early Childhood Education/Child Development from the Erikson Institute in Chicago. She is an experienced early childhood educator, having spent ten years teaching children 0-8 in a variety of educational settings.  Her personal curiosities have brought her to visit learning environments around the world, including forest Kindergartens, children’s museums, and the schools of Reggio Emilia.  She believes that child-directed play is a powerful learning tool, and spends her time writing about early childhood education and working with teachers around the globe on bringing play into the curriculum.

Methodology

This is an interactive online workshop, with hands-on activities for participants to tap into their own playfulness as they deepen their understanding of how they might add new invitations to explore literacy to their learning environment.  Participants will work individually and in small groups, as well as participate in full class discussions.

Platform

Zoom
A Zoom account is not required if you are strictly joining Zoom Meetings as a participant. An email invite will be emailed to you prior to the live workshop. Before joining a Zoom meeting on a computer or mobile device, you can download the Zoom app from the Download Center. Otherwise, you will be prompted to download and install Zoom when you click a join link.

Download Zoom Mobile Apps for iPhone or Android
Download Zoom Client for Meetings

Target Audience

 Teachers, early childhood educators, and administrators of children 2-6 years old in all settings.

Fees
SGD390.00 (USD295.00)/person for all 3 sessions
E-certificate will be issued

Other Details
Duration: 3 days, 9 hours
Closing Date:  2 Nov 2021

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