Play and Literacy Forum

On November 20, 2004, Ready to Learn Providence sponsored a full-day Play and Literacy Forum at the URI Feinstein Providence Campus. The forum attracted more than 170 early-care educators and providers looking to learn how to integrate play and literacy in their settings.

The work of R2LP’s Professional Development Committee provided the impetus for the forum. Through surveys and conversations with early-care providers in Providence, the committee found a need for further discussions on the role of play in early-literacy instruction and specifically in activities surrounding the R.I. Early Learning Standards. Surveys also revealed that most of the child-care centers in Providence were using The Creative Curriculum for Preschool by Diane Trister Dodge and Teaching Strategies, Inc.

Dodge, a nationally known educational author and president of Teaching Strategies Inc., gave the keynote address at the forum – “Play in the Age of Outcomes: Curriculum and Assessment.” In it she stressed that while young children learn best through play, not all play is equal. Curriculum developers, she said, have a special responsibility to ensure that teachers know how to create the kind of environments that engage children in purposeful and rich play experiences that encourage meaningful learning.

Dodge also led a hands-on workshop on “interest areas” in which she showed participants how to engage children in experiences that develop reading and writing skills through any of the interest areas typically found in a child-care setting.

Also featured at the forum was Candy Jones, a senior associate at Teaching Strategies, who is an author, experienced teacher trainer and former teacher. Her interactive workshop focused on the seven most important strategies for supporting language and literacy learning.

A translator provided simultaneous translation of the day’s presentations for the 28 Spanish-speaking attendees.

Although the real cost of the event was $95 a participant, R2LP was able to keep registration charges affordable – $30 for Providence early-care educators and $45 for other participants. Professional development credits were available for attendees from the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families.