Preschool Language & Literacy
Explore resources designed to improve instruction in early language and literacy.
- View a visual diagram of both practices
- Watch a topic overview and download planning templates
- Watch a short overview
Explore the subtopics below to learn more about the recommended practices:
To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the intervention reports on phonological awareness, phonological awareness with letter knowledge training, shared book reading, interactive shared book reading, and dialogic reading.
Teaching Phonological Awareness in Preschool
Preschool Language & Literacy > Phonological Awareness > Overview & Tools
This overview describes phonological awareness and its importance. It emphasizes planning instruction along a sequential developmental continuum of skills, scaffolding instruction, and providing...
Resource Type
Overview
Visual Diagram: Preschool Language and Literacy
Preschool Language & Literacy > Overview & Tools
This visual diagram illustrates the "big picture" of the practices and can be used to engage preschool teachers in discussion about their instruction. Use the left side to discuss the continuum of...
Resource Type
Visual Diagram
Interactive and Dialogic Reading in Preschool
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > Overview & Tools
This overview explains interactive and dialogic reading, its importance to children's language development, and how teachers can implement this practice. It highlights the teacher's use of...
Resource Type
Overview
Starting Instructional Discussions Using a Visual Diagram
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > Overview & Tools
Coaches and mentors often look for a “starting place” to engage teachers in discussions about how to improve instruction. Here are tips for how to use the visual diagram about classroom practices...
Resource Type
Tool
Designing Coaching and Mentoring Programs
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > Overview & Tools
This self-review can be used by technical assistance or professional development providers to help preschool programs think about the key components necessary to establish effective coaching and...
Resource Type
Tool
Interactive and Dialogic Reading: Observing and Reflecting on Classroom Practice
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > Overview & Tools
This checklist can help teaching and coaching staff reflect on current practice and think about ways to improve the use of interactive and dialogic reading strategies. Coaches and mentors also can...
Resource Type
Tool
Learning Together About Interactive and Dialogic Reading
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > Overview & Tools
Set up a staff development meeting or series of training sessions to review the “Learn What Works” resources for Interactive and Dialogic Reading using these discussion questions. Related...
Resource Type
Tool
Partnering With a Coach to Improve Instruction
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > See How It Works
Listen to a coach and teacher discuss how they formed a partnership, the coaching conversations that were most helpful, and the ways they worked together to differentiate instruction for bilingual...
Resource Type
School Example
Training Coaches/Mentors to Work With Teachers
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > See How It Works
Listen to a director explain what mentors need to know about modeling, helping teachers develop lesson plans, and providing feedback. As you listen, look at the Mentor Log: Planning On-Site...
Resource Type
School Example
Mentor Log: Planning On-Site Training With Teachers
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > See How It Works
View the log that Tempe uses to help mentors work with preschool teachers to reflect on the results of classroom observations. The project director discusses this method in Training Coaches/Mentors...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Helping Teachers Learn New Practice
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > See How It Works
A preschool director describes how mentors form reciprocal relationships with teachers; employ observational and assessment data to engage teachers in developing action plans; and use videos to...
Resource Type
School Example
Developing a Coaching Program
Preschool Language & Literacy > Interactive & Dialogic Reading > See How It Works
On-site coaching programs are effective in helping teachers implement and sustain good practice. Watch a preschool director and literacy facilitator talk about what coaches need to know and do to...
Resource Type
School Example
