Project led by:

Vera Lee, EdD
Diane Waff, EdD
Claudia Gentile, PhD
Katie Mathew, PhD Student

The goal of the PreK Literacy through Kid Writing project is to increase kindergarten readiness for preschool children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds by using the Kid Writing (KW) approach to develop early literacy skills, including applied phonics and beginning writing. The project will provide professional development, instructional resources, and coaching to teachers across five PreK Centers in northeast Philadelphia. The project will also explore ways to increase kindergarten readiness for preschool children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds by using the KW approach to develop their skills as writers and readers. Moreover, the project will address the gap early childhood educators and parents often have in their understanding of the developmental nature of writing and its central role in literacy learning.

To meet these goals, the project includes several key components. First, professional development will be provided to PreK teachers utilizing the KW approach and design for literacy-rich classroom environments in order to enhance their understanding of the vital role writing plays in early literacy development. Second, KW coaches will provide modeling and supports in classrooms of 4/5-year-olds at participating PreK centers, adapting to the age groupings used at each center. Third, KW workshops will be offered to parents in close collaboration with the PreK center’s approach to family engagement. Fourth, the KW coaches will share developmental spelling and other formative assessment tools with PreK center teachers and staff to support teachers’ understanding of children’s language development.