The research evidence is very clear about the importance of getting children off to a great start in their early literacy learning. Early reading success is the best predictor of later reading achievement, which in turn is closely linked to educational success and healthy wellbeing. 

This free course provides a research-to-practice learning experience for professionals and parents interested in the reading development of young children. This course will ensure that teachers and professionals alike are reading books in the most effective way to support children’s early reading skills. The course content will be relevant for all young children, specifically focusing on the key foundational skills of phonological awareness, print concepts, and vocabulary knowledge for children aged 4-6 years. The course will also include a focus on preventing reading problems, such as dyslexia, for children with familial risk, and children with other challenges to learning to read, such as speech and language difficulties. As part of completing the course, students will be given access to a large set of online children books, especially designed to foster phonological awareness and vocabulary development.