Words Alive: Building Early Literacy Skills Through Storytelling

Date: June 17, 2025 (7-8:15PM EST / 4-5:15PM PST)

Speaker: Rachael Harrington

Hosted by: Dr. Scott Mesh

Format: Online Webinar (Interactive)

Target Audience: Early Childhood Teachers, Therapists, and Professionals who work with Young Children

- Join for FREE: get a Certificate of Attendance at the end.

- CE Certificate/CEUs $9

○ 1.0 CTLE CE Hours (CE Certificate)

○ 1.0 NYSED SW CE Hours (CE Certificate)

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN CE Certificate/CEUs:

○ You MUST attend the webinar from start to finish

○ You MUST fill out the attendance form (will be sent via email)

○ You MUST answer & submit the evaluation form after the webinar (will be sent via email)

Failure to fulfill requirements may result in delays receiving your certificate/credits, or in some cases, non-receipt of your certificate/credits.

Webinar Description:

You’re a storyteller, I’m a storyteller, we are all storytellers- even our littlest learners! Explore the transformative ways that the art of telling a story without a book inspires early literacy skills that then ignite a lifelong love of books, writing, and creative expression. Playfully discover what traditional spoken word storytelling is, how it grows narrative confidence and human connection in early childhood settings, and the ways in which it invites young learners into an embodied experience of story elements and vocabulary. Walk away with ideas and techniques that you can use to jumpstart your early childhood classroom with the power of “Once Upon A Time”, told directly from you to your kids.

Objectives:

The participants will be able to…

1. Explain what traditional oral folktale storytelling is.

2. Compare and contrast storytelling and read-alouds to find where the two are unique and where they intersect and support each other

3. Identify the key characteristics of storytelling and how those characteristics support and motivate early literacy skills and print motivation.

4. Identify strategies for implementing simple, fun, and engaging storytelling moments in an early learning environment.

5. Identify easy-to-learn folktales that will increase receptive and productive language, boost vocabulary development, build prediction skills, and grow a play-based relationship of trust between adults and children.,

Speaker's Bio

Rachael Harrington is a storyteller whose work has taken her around the globe, presenting imagination infused performances and workshops in arts venues, schools, community settings, and as a guest lecturer at Rutgers University. She presents workshops, stories, and talks at conferences including The National Storytelling Summit, The American Association of School Libraries Conference, New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey Association of School Libraries, and New Jersey TESOL Conference. Publications: Storytelling Magazine, School LIbrary Connection, Voices Journal. Performance Highlights: The Sugarhill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling, The Uptown Arts Stroll, The Story Center at Mid-Continent Public Library. Member: The National Storytelling Network, The New Jersey Storytelling Network, North East Storytellers, Clutch Full Circle, StateraArts.

Host's Bio

Dr. Mesh is a clinical psychologist and the co-author of the book “Early Childhood Assessment: A Practical Guide to Psychological and Developmental Evaluations in the Early Intervention Program.” He has worked with families for over 30 years. Dr. Mesh is the Co-Founder and CEO of Los Niños Services, an award-winning Early Childhood Special Education program in New York City, and the Founder of Young Child Learning which provides professional development to teachers and all professionals working with young children. He consults with professionals and parents on the challenges they face in helping young children achieve their full potential. Dr. Mesh is the author of upcoming book Tapas: Tasty Inspirational Poems(www.inspire.nyc).

Cancellation Policy:

If you cancel within 30 days before the event, the registration fee is not refundable. However, you will receive a credit for the registration fee which can be applied to another Young Child Learning event within the following 12 months. The processing fee is non-refundable.

Special Accommodations or Requests.

Individuals with disabilities in need of special accommodations should contact the Admin, Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 to make a request. The Admin will work with the team to provide the necessary accommodations. Requests for special accommodations must be made at least a month prior to the webinar date. Once accommodations are found, the Admin will confirm need for accommodations. Once the individual confirms, the special accommodations will be secured. If the individual finds that he or she is no longer in need of the accommodations, he or she must contact the Admin a week before the webinar date.

Grievance Policy & Procedure

Young Child Learning will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of Young Child Learning. All grievances must be submitted in writing (via e-mail or mail) within 30 days of the end of the webinar date. Any supporting documents must be included with the submitted complaint. For all grievances, contact information (name, phone number, and email) must be provided in the case that the Young Child Learning team may need clarification.

Submit complaints in writing to Young Child Learning, 505 8th Avenue, Floor 12A Room 02, New York, NY 10018 or via email at learn@youngchildlearning.com. If you have any additional questions or concerns, contact Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 333 or at learn@youngchildlearning.com

This webinar is presented by Young Child Learning & sponsored by Los Niños Services.

About Young Child Learning

Young Child Learning (YCL) organizes Early Childhood Webinars. The mission of YCL is to help all early childhood professionals learn, grow, and help young children get a good start in life and achieve their full potential. YCL carries on the tradition of the Young Child Expo and Conference.

About Los Niños Services

Los Niños Services is an award-winning multilingual agency that has been serving young children with developmental delays and autism for 25 years. Los Niños is one of the leading early chilhood special education providers in NYC and surrounding communities. Los Niños serves all children and families from all communities providing services such as the Early Intervention Program, Preschool Special Education, & Private Services/ABA Private Insurance Services.

If you have further questions, contact Cari Laroza (Administrator) at learn@youngchildlearning.com

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