Science of reading + play: Tools approach to literacy honors how children learn

How do we teach young children to read?

The science of reading gives us a window into evidence-based teaching strategies and identifies the skills children develop on their way to becoming skilled readers.

Although teacher-directed instruction might seem like a go-to for these fundamentals, early educators well know that direct instruction is not generally the most effective way to reach young children. For those who have been struggling to reconcile the research behind the science of reading with the evidence backing up play-based learning, Carly Roberts and Meghan McCormick have great news for you.

You don’t have to.

“Research shows that play is not only compatible with the science of reading—it’s a powerful way to build the very skills kids need to become strong readers in the first place.” Carly Roberts and Meghan McCormick in The 74

Freeing ourselves from the “false choice”

They describe the learning-play dichotomy as a “false choice” and point out that “play isn’t just fun; it’s serious learning.” They pay particular attention to the kind of play Tools children engage in every day, guided play.

“Guided play—where teachers set up fun activities with clear learning goals—is more effective than direct instruction in promoting learning, particularly for young kids.” Carly Roberts and Meghan McCormick in The 74

In fact, Roberts and McCormick point to research demonstrating that dramatic play can have a real impact on children’s “oral language, letter recognition, and ability to sound out letter blends and words.” They also commend Tools for teaching these early literacy skills in exactly that way, saying that the approach Tools uses, “combines the best of structured literacy and joyful learning to help children develop the skills to be ready for kindergarten.”

And they aren’t the only ones highlighting Tools for our ability to bridge PreK and K.

Honoring how children learn and grow

A recent post by Laura Bornfreund also featured Tools, noting the curriculum provides “educational experiences that honor how children naturally learn and grow.” Bornfreund identified some “key elements” of Tools that make for a coherent early learning approach. These include:

• Integrating content from across content areas throughout the day to support children in making “meaningful connections”
• Building deep background knowledge through play
• Emphasizing the importance of oral language in children’s literacy development

“Reading success should not—and doesn’t have to—come at the cost of the creativity, joy, and social growth that are key to the early years,” say Roberts and McCormick.

Read more here about how seamlessly Tools pairs with the science of reading.

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