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SCCPSS summit emphasizes language-rich interactions from birth to 5 as foundation for reading
Summary
Speakers at a Birth to 5 summit linked language-rich engagement from birth through age 5 to kindergarten readiness, highlighting the Get Georgia Reading campaign and a 'Language as a Missing Link' toolkit.
Teaching reading is a science, and that science must begin long before kindergarten, summit presenters said at a Birth to 5 event tied to the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS).
Organizers and presenters at the summit urged parents, caregivers and community partners to use frequent, positive, language-rich interactions with young children to boost language development and later literacy. The event highlighted the Get Georgia Reading campaign and a “Language as a Missing Link” toolkit promoted by campaign lead Ariane Weldon.
A staff member at the summit said, "Teaching reading is a science. That science must begin long before kindergarten." A presenter added that "engagement through frequent, positive, language rich social interactions with caregivers, educators, and peers is both the fuel for and a gauge of language development." Ken Slatz, reporting on the event, said, "Ariane Weldon leads the Get Georgia Reading campaign. She's behind the Language as a Missing Link toolkit."
Speakers described the goal as reaching children from birth to age 5—years they said are critical for language acquisition and kindergarten readiness. "In those ages from birth to 5 really impacts kindergarten readiness and making sure that children are prepared for coming to school," a summit speaker said. Presenters framed the toolkit and campaign as ways to give community partners concrete messages and practices to share with families.
Organizers asked community partners who already have regular contact with families to act as outreach channels. "We are hoping that our community partners can help us engage with parents and families and help them understand what they can do to support their children's literacy long before they come to school," a staff member said. The summit was described by one speaker as "a major step in the right direction." Ken Slatz closed the report noting that partnerships tied to SCCPSS are continuing to grow.
No formal votes or policy actions were recorded in the transcript of the event.
