Title: Learning to Read Starts at Birth: The Power of Pre-literacy Skills
Date: July 23rd, 2024
Time: 9:30am - 10:30am CST/ 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Description:
Early language and literacy development begins in the first three years of life and is closely linked to a child’s early experiences. The interactions that young children have with books, toys, and adults in their lives are the building blocks for language, reading, and writing development. This interactive session will dive into how early conversational turns lead to the development of the foundational reading skills that ultimately build word recognition and language comprehension.
*This training will be classified as a Pre-Literacy Training for ECE Workers, in accordance with TN DHS Licensure Rules for Child Care Agencies.
Presenter(s):
Jodi Whiteman, M.Ed., CEIM, IMH-E®
Jodi Whiteman is the Director of Partnerships and Growth at LENA. In this position she supports early childhood programs to increase capacity of parents, caregivers, and educators in accelerating children’s development, school readiness, and social-emotional health. Prior to joining LENA, Jodi served as a Senior Advisor with the Public Consulting group, as well as the co-directed of the Professional Development and Workforce Innovations department at ZERO TO THREE. Her past experiences as adjunct faculty at the Graduate School of Education at George Mason University, a bi-lingual speech/language therapist, an Early Head Start director, an early intervention service coordinator, and a certified educator of infant massage informs her work and passion for supporting very young children and families. She holds a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona and a M.Ed., in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University.