RECAP: 2023 Symposium on Children
Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy’s
2023 SYMPOSIUM ON CHILDREN: Getting Ready to Read
In partnership with:
The science behind early literacy development was the focus of the Crane Center’s 10th annual Symposium on Children. More than 275 early childhood educators, administrators, coaches, researchers, community providers, advocates and decision makers gathered to hear from leading early literacy experts across research, practice and policy. This year’s event was fully in-person, with research poster presentations and a new exhibitor hall. Also new this year were our first-ever Crane Excellence in Early Childhood Awards, celebrating Rebecca Love, Dr. Monica Johnson Mitchell and Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine.
OPENING REMARKS: Setting the stage for the day’s discussion
Dr. Laura Justice, Crane Center executive director, welcomed attendees and shared Crane’s latest work in early literacy, including research projects, demonstrated practices, and translation efforts for broader audiences including policy makers.
Dean Donald Pope-Davis, of Ohio State’s College of Education and Human Ecology, discussed the college’s commitment to early childhood and the return on investment for future generations of Buckeye students.
Tanny Crane, president and CEO of Crane Group, shared the latest statistics on Ohio’s kindergarten readiness and the impact to Ohio’s future workforce.
KEYNOTE: Research behind the science behind early literacy development
Dr. Sonia Cabell, associate professor at Florida State University and research faculty at the Florida Center for Reading Research, led an engaging session where she created scenarios that mimicked how children feel before learning to read to help the audience better understand approaches to reading. She also discussed the science behind literacy development as well as recommended best practices for improving early literacy.
BREAKOUTS: A deeper look at specific areas of early literacy development
BREAKOUT 1: Dr. Cabell presented on early writing and how it serves as a window into a child’s understanding of literacy, explaining that both spoken and written language are important to a child’s ability to later read.
RESOURCES:
- Get Dr. Cabell’s article on early writing for young children.
- Get Dr. Cabell’s article on scaffolding for spelling.
BREAKOUT 2: Dr. Karen Erickson, director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, presented on literacy development for children using or learning to use alternative or augmented communication devices. She explained the difference in inputs, the importance of symbols in communication, and alternative tools to support early writing skills.
BREAKOUT 3: Dr. John Hutton, pediatrician and director of the Reading Literacy Discovery Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, discussed when early literacy skills develop in the brain (hint: it begins prenatally) and the surprising number of factors that can put a child at risk for delayed skill development based on his work using MRI technology. He stressed the importance of the home learning environment and shared fresh approaches to screening.
FLASH TALKS: Short looks at innovative approaches to early literacy in Ohio
All talks moderated by Jamie O’Leary, Crane associate director of policy and external affairs
Dr. Justice shared a scientifically based intervention called Sit Together and Read (STAR) and discussed new efforts to revamp and expand access to STAR.
Kara Wente, director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, explained the vision for the state’s new department, including its early childhood priorities and goals across the state.
Dr. Melissa Weber-Mayrer, chief of literacy for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, shared statewide statistics on literacy and proficiency and the plan to raise literacy achievement before highlighting specific examples from around the state who are successfully implementing these ideas.
Becky Schaade, library director at Fairfield County District Library, discussed the early literacy centers now in three of the Fairfield libraries that promote early literacy skills through play. She outlined what worked well and lessons learned for those looking to create or expand similar ideas.
Julia Shaheen, literacy manager at Stark County District Library and trainer for Ohio Ready to Read, discussed the library’s efforts in helping children’s literacy skills to become kindergarten ready through programs and resources, including the Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit.
CRANE EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AWARDS
Presented to those consistently demonstrating leadership, innovation, commitment to equity, and the ability to achieve meaningful results or impacts for Ohio children.
Practice: Rebecca Love, director of Early Childhood Education for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, was recognized for more than 50 years of providing services for thousands of children and their families and providing leadership to early childhood staff and partners.
Research: Dr. Monica Johnson Mitchell, professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and co-director of INNOVATIONS, was recognized for two decades of working with many organizations and agencies to translate research, train and develop leadership, and advance evidence-based community child health programs.
Policy: Ohio’s First Lady Fran DeWine was recognized for her leadership of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, which boasts enrollment of more than 59% of the state’s children and over 13.7 million books distributed since 2019.
