Dates: 10/24/2025, 12/5/2025, 1/23/2026 Grades: 3K-K Venue: Online via Zoom Time: 9:00am - 2:30pm ET (with a 45 minute break for lunch) Presenter(s): Nancy Brennan
Course Overview:
This course equips early childhood educators with strategies to develop literacy foundations through meaningful play and oral language development. Participants will learn to create literacy-rich environments that encourage language exploration, storytelling, and emergent reading behaviors through intentional play experiences. Teachers will explore methods for integrating oral language development into daily routines while supporting early literacy concepts through developmentally appropriate practices.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes:
Design engaging learning experiences that build oral language skills
Implement strategies for embedding literacy in play scenarios
Create environments that foster emergent reading and writing
Develop routines that support oral language development
Apply methods for integrating storytelling into daily activities
If your school or district is interested in arranging for a group of 15 or more to attend one course (or more) together please contact us at advancingliteracy@tc.columbia.edu. For a full listing of all Focused Topic Courses see our Professional Development Services Brochure.