
Every child deserves a joyful, literacy-rich learning environment that affirms their identity, nurtures their curiosity, and equips them with the skills to express themselves and engage with the world. Yet, too often, inconsistencies in early learning experiences create barriers to success—especially for multilingual learners and children from historically marginalized communities.
At Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), we believe that a strong vision is the foundation for ensuring that every child can grow and develop as a confident and capable learner. A shared vision brings coherence and intentionality to the learning experiences children encounter each day, aligning the materials, interactions, and instruction that shape their literacy development.
In our ongoing partnership with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, CLI worked with early learning leaders to design and implement a cohesive vision that put children’s experiences at the center.
Before this effort, early childhood classrooms had vastly different approaches, and children’s experiences depended on individual teacher practices rather than a shared framework for learning. By facilitating collaborative vision-setting, learning walks, and professional learning experiences, CLI helped early learning programs:
Want to explore this initiative in depth? Read our Case Study on Advancing Early Childhood Education in Massachusetts. |
If you are ready to create or refine a vision that supports every child’s literacy journey, here are key steps to consider:
1
A strong vision reflects the voices and lived experiences of children, caregivers, and the educators who support them.
2
Use evidence-based literacy practices while ensuring that multilingual learners and historically marginalized children receive the resources and supports they need to thrive.
3
Identify the essential components of early literacy experiences, ensuring a balance of oral language, reading, writing, and critical thinking opportunities each day.
4
Professional learning and coaching should equip teachers with strategies that bring the vision to life in real classrooms.
5
Regular reflection, classroom observations, and child engagement should inform how the vision evolves over time.
Ready to build a vision that creates meaningful experiences for children? Let’s talk about how CLI can support your journey! Connect directly with Michele LaCoursiere-Ferrer, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships. |
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