The Council for Professional Recognition enjoyed promoting literacy in March, but as the month came to a close, we realized the need to remind everyone about the importance of literacy all year long. Literacy falls under CDA Functional Area #6: Communication. The communications training materials teach in-depth developmentally appropriate practices to promote young children’s language and early literacy learning.
For this blog, Valora Washington, Ph.D., shared her insights and experience on how you can:
When many people think about early literacy, they think about reading. But promoting literacy includes so much more than learning to read in the early years.
Even before birth, babies start to learn language skills. They are aware of familiar voices and sounds. Literacy development begins very early in life. We know that early literacy impacts school achievement and is interrelated with all of the domains of child development. The stronger children’s experiences are with language, the more likely they will experience success when learning to read.
At the Council we are very well aware that it takes a highly competent early childhood educator to promote early literacy. The CDA offers clear standards for what the teacher should know and be able to do to promote early literacy education.
Specifically, the CDA heavily emphasizes and supports early childhood educators as they deepen their practical skills in:
Early educators should remember:
The likelihood of an early childhood educator working with children who speak two or more languages is increasing!
At the Council we advocate a clear vision for English language learners: let’s help children to speak, read and write in English while supporting the learning of their home language!
Infants and toddlers may learn English and their home language simultaneously. Remember:
We encourage the CDA community and early childhood education programs to seek professional development that enables them to create environments that support dual language learners.
Literacy is an environment-rich aspect of every child’s development.1 All of these are great ways to build a foundation for literacy with young children.
It is up to you, as the educator to select the developmentally appropriate practices per age group, development observation, and at times, engage children through activities on subjects that interest them as well. Have fun!
Source:
1 Washington, V. (2017). Essentials for Working with Young Children (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: The Council for Professional Recognition.
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Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
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