The 2011-2012 Preschool Language and Literacy Calendar

As a speech-language pathologist, you know how important emergent literacy skills are for the future academic success of preschool children. But how do you incorporate literacy-based activities into the work that you do with parents and early childhood educators?

The Preschool Language and Literacy Calendar can help

The Hanen Centre’s 16-month Preschool Language and Literacy Calendar is filled with dozens of activities for early childhood professionals, as well as parents, to use with children ages 3 to 5. Based on the most current research in the field of language and emergent literacy development, the activities are diverse, practical and meaningful, allowing children to learn while having fun.

We've divided this year's Calendar into 12 research-based themes that address critical areas of language and literacy development. When you recommend the Calendar to supplement home-programming or to encourage language-rich activities in the classroom, you’ll be helping parents and teachers:

Here’s what you’ll find in this year’s Calendar:

The wide variety and varied contexts of the Calendar’s activities provide preschool children with well-rounded learning experiences to help set them on the path to success.

Here are some ways you can use the planner:

►With teachers

Planning classroom activities can be a challenging task for teachers since it calls for a lot of research and creativity. You want to make sure that teachers are not repeating the same activities and that they’re choosing the ones that will have the most impact.

The Preschool Language and Literacy Calendar has all the planning, research, and creativity built into it, offering teachers a readymade schedule of fresh ideas each week. This means that teachers can decrease the time they spend planning activities and spend more time interacting with the children.

But following the schedule isn't necessary – teachers can start using the tips any time of the year, and as many times as they'd like. The Calendar offers a quick reference for practical, easy-to-do activities for whenever teachers need it.

►With parents

If you’re working with preschool children and their families, you can use the Calendar to supplement home programming.

In their child’s natural environment, parents can engage in simple activities with their children to promote early language and literacy skills.

With practical, easy-to-do activities planned out for them each week, parents can start to play a central role in their child’s literacy development and extend their child’s learning beyond the classroom.

►During therapy sessions

Although the Calendar’s activities are directed towards teachers and parents, you may also find it useful in your clinical work. Pin it to your wall as a quick reference for new activities to do with the children on your caseload, or to recommend to parents.

Take a look inside this year’s Calendar…

The 2011-2012 Preschool Language and Literacy Calendar is available in English, French and Spanish.

Click on the link below for a sneak peak at January's tips and research bulletin: