KSDE Weekly

Standards and Instruction

National early literacy institute slated for late February

The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning will host "Read, Talk, Play, Thrive: A Whole-Child Literacy Institute," Feb. 24-26, in Kansas City. This conference will shine a light on best literacy practices that support brain development and help every child take their first steps toward a lifelong love of learning. 

This free in-person professional development event is designed for early childhood leaders and educators across all program types working with children from birth to age five. Participants will gain insights into the foundational role early literacy plays in children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. Participants will explore phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. They will also learn evidence-based ways to promote literacy through reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing, with an emphasis on the role of structured play in fostering neural connections, vocabulary growth, and brain development in young children. 

Click here to view the agenda-at-a-glance and to register. Registration closes Feb. 3. The conference, at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, begins at 9 a.m. on Feb. 24, and ends at 12 p.m., on Feb. 26. Click here for conference hotel information

The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning is part of a comprehensive federal Office of Head Start training and technical assistance system.  

Contact Maryanne Pascua Garcia, mpascua@zerotothree.org, with questions.  

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Posted: Jan 22, 2026,
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