Preschool Outreach Program

The signs of dyslexia are present in children around age 4, and early intervention makes a world of difference in a child’s long-term success.  While a formal dyslexia diagnosis cannot be made until age 6, knowing the early indicators of dyslexia will help your teachers support even the youngest learners who are struggling with the basics of literacy. The dePaul School offers professional development opportunities for preschools and VPK programs. Book us for your next PD day! Our two-part program can be presented over one or two visits and includes answers to the following questions: 

Part 1: Dyslexia Basics:  Multisensory Experience (45 minutes) 

  • What is dyslexia? How does the brain of a dyslexic learner differ from the brain of a neurotypical learner? What are the early indicators of dyslexia? How can teachers support preschool-aged children who are showing signs of literacy delays? How can I share my concerns with parents/families? 

Part 2: Teaching the Alphabet (45 minutes)

  • What do children need to know about letters? What is the recommended order for introducing the letters? What do I need to know about teaching short vs long vowel sounds? What are some lesson ideas and activities that reinforce these skills?

 

Early Literacy Toolkit

We compiled the resources shared in the Teaching the Alphabet session to create the Early Literacy Toolkit! The kit includes: 

  • Samples of the manipulatives used in the presentation
  • Access to the digital resources teachers need to conduct each lesson/activity. 
  • Digital resources about dyslexia, including early the indicators

If you have the toolkit, click here to access the digital resources. The password is the code found on the tag.