Did you know that reading readiness begins long before a child enters kindergarten? Today’s kindergarten teachers are welcoming a unique generation of learners, those born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent studies show that many kindergarten students are entering school with weaker early literacy skills than pre-pandemic students. Due to this reality, every learning opportunity matters.
In this webinar, former reading specialist and literacy expert Dr. Erin Bailey explores how science instruction can become a powerful vehicle for building the language and literacy foundations that support future reading achievements.
Viewers can learn:
- The developmental and language milestones that lay the foundation for early literacy success
- Why oral language, vocabulary, and background knowledge are critical components of reading development
- How language comprehension supports students’ abilities to understand informational texts
- Practical strategies for embedding Science of Reading principles into hands-on, inquiry-based science instruction
- Ways to create integrated learning experiences that strengthen both science understanding and kindergarten reading readiness
This free session is designed for elementary and district leaders as well as any educator supporting young learners.
About the Presenter
Erin Bailey, Ed.D., is the Vice President of Literacy Programs and Research at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). Dr. Bailey specializes in curriculum and instructional development, guiding the creation and curation of high-quality, research-based literacy content for educators, families, and PreK–middle-school students nationwide. Her mission is to foster reading joy while ensuring alignment with best instructional practices. She actively designs professional learning experiences that empower educators and supports classroom success. With teaching experience in both U.S. and international settings across PreK–8, Dr. Bailey has served as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, English language learning specialist, and university instructor. Her research explores family and community engagement, strategies for multilingual learners, and play-based literacy instruction.
Double the Learning: Science of Reading Strategies in Elementary Science
Reading provides a unique opportunity to facilitate science learning. Informational text in science instruction gives students a chance to engage in scientific inquiry in multiple forms and, with prompting and support, read text appropriately complex for their grade level.
