Natural & Practical Approaches to Literacy in Preschool Settings

Links to Capable, Confident and Curious:

As children play, interact with others, engage with a rich and stimulating environment, they are building vocabulary, noticing subtle differences and meanings, figuring out how print works and the role it plays in society, and so begin to experiment with, and interact with, print. In a play and inquiry-based environment, there is no need for ‘practice’ for this to happen. Just as children build oral language through engaging with it, so they build knowledge about the printed word.

Framework Principles and Practices utilized in the webinar: Language and Communication

Strategies:

• Children express ideas and make meaning using a variety of media
• Children begin to understand how symbols and patterns work
• Acadian and Francophone children in French minority communities develop strong foundations in French.
• Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from them
• Children use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas, and represent their thoughts

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1.  Set up a writing area that encourages playful experimentation with print
2.  Use language experience charts to record children’s ideas and thoughts
3.  Use the framework strategies to support children as they become naturally curious about print
4.  Recognize the many ways in which children use written and oral language during play

List 6 key practices that support natural and developmentally appropriate literacy development

As a member, you and your centre will become part of a supportive community dedicated to the advancement of Early Childhood Education. 

EYCDC supports the early years community by increasing collaboration among early childhood educators and other early years professionals. Together we put our shared knowledge into practice to support good outcomes for young children and their families. 

Here’s what else you can expect with your membership: 

• New content arrives monthly, making it easy to earn credits
• Content will be compliant with provincial and national standards and customs
• Community building through forums and live video calls around monthly topics
• Special discounts on in-person programs
• Includes free EYCDC lending library membership
• We don’t sell or rent your data 
• You won’t be spammed with sales emails 
• Supports the creation of more high-value Continuing Education opportunities for our community

EYCDC services are offered with the support of the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Most programs and seminars are also available for individual purchase. Visit our course catalog for more details. 

Please note that total continuing education credit hours vary by course. 

After completing the videos and recommended reading, you will finish the program and earn your certificate by completing a short quiz and answering a series of questions to stimulate self-reflection. 

The quiz will consist of questions about the videos and recommended reading. 

Completion of the quiz and self-reflection exercise will automatically initiate a review of your submission and, if the work has been completed, the issuance of your certificate of completion.