Grandview hosts "Spring Into Literacy" Conference
On Saturday May 26, 2012, the Durham Preschool Speech and Language Program at Grandview Children's Centre and the Ontario Early Years Centres co-hosted 'Spring Into Literacy' a full-day conference for Early Childhood Educators, daycare providers, Junior and Senior Kindergarten Teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Communicative Disorders Assistants, students and volunteers.
The first annual event featured guest speakers:
- Megan Wiigs, Speech-Language Pathologist, presenting "Turn Book Reading into a Conversation & Make New Words Sparkle" adapted from ABC and BeyondTM - The Hanen Program® for Building Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood Settings
- Paige Stirling-Fox, an early Literacy Specialist for Ontario Early Years - York Region, presenting "Read, Rhyme, Sing and Play"
Over 70 people attended the conference to learn:
- why vocabulary knowledge is critical to literacy
- how to promote conversation during book reading to provide an opportunity for teaching new vocabulary
- how to “step up” the level of vocabulary with the introduction of less familiar and less frequently occurring sophisticated or precise words that are connected to literacy success
- how to highlight and convey the meaning of new words during shared book reading
Participants also explored the building blocks that lead to a child's emerging ability to read and write, including:
- the importance of nurturing relationships to optimal brain development
- oral language leading to literacy
- the importance of songs, rhymes and storytelling
- awareness of print
- sharing books with young children
Literacy-related products and services were on display during the Conference held at Ajax High School. Thank you to the following businesses and organizations:
- Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
- Spectrum Educational Supplies
Grandview would like to thank our staff and volunteers who participated in planning and preparation for this event:
Thanks also to the donors who contributed wonderful items for our Door Prizes:
- Grandview Children’s Centre
- Mastermind Toys - Pickering
Click here to view more images from Grandview's 'Spring Into Literacy' Conference.