Play, Language, and Learning: Strengthening Early Literacy Acquisition Through Teacher-SLP Partnerships

• In Event: Roundtable Session III
  In Roundtable Session: Emergent Research in Early Childhood Language and Literacy

Abstract

This presentation aims to share results from a yearlong collaboration between PreK and Kindergarten teachers and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in West Virginia. By integrating their expertise, the project enhances literacy acquisition within early childhood classrooms. Grounded in a social constructivist framework and play-based curriculum, SLPs and teachers collaborated on emergent literacy strategies and planned for intentional professional development. This collaboration created an authentic language environment, fostering students' language skills and highlighted the importance of teacher-SLP collaboration.

Authors

• Patricia Arias Hunt, Marshall University

• Maggie Luma, Marshall University

• Mona Christine Drake Sanders, Marshall University

• Elizabeth Lynn Crawford, Marshall University

• Tarabeth Brumfield Heineman, June Harless Center at Marshall University