Supporting Early Literacy Through Oral Language and Play
Oct 24, 2025 - Jan 23, 2026
3K-K
$600
Online via Zoom
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
Upon completion of the course participants will receive a certificate of participation; and NY State educators are eligible to receive CTLE credits. 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.
Other Upcoming Events
Data-Based Small Groups to Support Readers with Developing Fluency, Comprehension, and Vocabulary
Oct 9, 2025 - Feb 26, 2026
Virtual: For Literacy Coaches and Teacher Leaders: Supporting Data-Driven Coaching that Drives School Progress (5 days)
Oct 14, 2025 - Apr 21, 2026
In Person: For Literacy Coaches and Teacher Leaders: Supporting Data-Driven Coaching that Drives School Progress (5 days)
Oct 14, 2025 - Apr 21, 2026
Close Reading, Writing about Reading, and Book Clubs
Oct 22, 2025 - Jan 21, 2026
Leading Responsive, Data-Based Small Group Work in Writing; Leverage Assessment and Small Group Instructional Practices to Address Student Writers' Needs
Oct 23, 2025 - Feb 12, 2026
Leading Effective Small Group Reading Instruction: Coaching Teachers & Students with Research-Driven Strategies and the Science of Learning
Oct 24, 2025
New Teacher Study Group for the Teaching of Writing
Oct 28, 2025 - Apr 28, 2026
New Teacher Study Group for the Teaching of Reading
Oct 29, 2025 - Apr 29, 2026
Knowledge Building Through Read Aloud and Small Groups: Create and Curate Resources for Topics and Units with Fiction and Nonfiction Texts, Leverage Background Knowledge and Tools to Develop Vocabulary
Nov 3, 2025 - Feb 3, 2026
Responsive Grammar and Conventions Instruction; Assess and Design Developmentally Appropriate Instruction to Support Student Growth in Syntax, Conventions, and Editing
Nov 14, 2025 - Jan 16, 2026