Unlocking Communication
Every learner deserves the tools and support to unlock their potential for communication and literacy. The Emergent Literacy Toolkit is designed to help learners of all abilities take meaningful steps toward these goals, starting with foundational skills and progressing in a way that feels natural and achievable.
Who are our toolkits for?
Our toolkits are designed to help parents support their child’s academic growth at home, and to serve as a supplemental instructional aid to teachers supporting students with disabilities in their classrooms.
What’s inside the toolkit?
The Emergent Literacy Toolkit provides a robust set of resources to support early communication and literacy development. This toolkit doesn’t just teach communication and literacy skills—it empowers learners and supports educators and families every step of the way. Your toolkit includes:
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Featuring 12 functional core vocabulary words for expressing basic wants and needs.
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Visual aids for teaching individual core words.
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Six engaging books designed to highlight and reinforce core word recognition.
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A tool to help learners follow along with text.
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Easy-to-use sheets for measuring progress.
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A fun way to celebrate milestones and boost learner confidence.
"The Emergent Literacy Toolkit is a fantastic resource for parents looking to boost their child's literacy skills! This toolkit offers a clear and organized approach, making it simple to know where to begin, track progress, and find new activities to engage in with your child every day. It’s designed to support both parents and children on their journey to early literacy success!”
— Meagan Loken, MA, Early Intervention Educator
Learning Goals and Skill Progression
The toolkit focuses on three primary goals, each with step-by-step objectives to ensure measurable progress. Here’s a breakdown of each goal, along with examples of how to get started and track growth:
Goal 1: Communicate Using Core Vocabulary Words
Objective: Help learners recognize and use 12 functional vocabulary words.
Getting Started: Begin by modeling the words in everyday contexts. Hang up or display the communication board at home or in the classroom and use it naturally throughout the day.
Example: Say, “More. I want more water,” while pointing to the word on the board. Then, model usage in other sentences:
“Go. You go fast down that slide!”
“Help. I need help to put these toys away.”
The first step is observation—allow the learner to see how and when these words are used. After one to two weeks, encourage them to imitate your usage.
Goal 2: Develop a Basic Understanding of Print Concepts
Objective: Build awareness of how print works and connect spoken and written words.
Getting Started: Use the adapted books in the toolkit to introduce print concepts. These books focus on the core vocabulary words while helping learners understand the relationship between spoken language and text.
Tips:
Add a tactile marker like a velcro strip at the top of the book to help learners identify the front and top.
Use the guided reader to point to words as you read aloud.
Celebrate any interaction with the book, whether it’s holding, turning pages, or showing interest.
This goal fosters a love for reading and lays the groundwork for future literacy development.
Goal 3: Demonstrate Comprehension
Objective: Apply core vocabulary words in the context of familiar texts.
Getting Started: Each adapted book in the toolkit highlights two core words. The words are emphasized in color and repeated throughout the text to reinforce recognition.
Tips:
Let the learner use the guided reader to follow along and point to core words.
Use flashcards to connect the spoken and written forms of the words.
Ask questions about the pictures and text to deepen comprehension.
These activities help learners see the practical use of core words in everyday routines and stories.
How do you know if your learner is making progress? That’s where the toolkit’s data tracking sheets come in. These sheets provide a consistent, easy-to-use system for monitoring progress toward goals.
Why It’s Important: Standardized data collection ensures accuracy and allows you to make informed decisions about when to move on to new skills or continue practicing current ones.
How It Works: The sheets include space for recording progress in a clear, consistent manner, so all caregivers and educators are aligned in their assessments.
For example, if a learner consistently uses a core word with 80% accuracy over multiple sessions, you can confidently move on to the next skill or objective.
Tracking Growth Every Step of the Way
Why the Toolkit works…
The Emergent Literacy Toolkit provides a structured, step-by-step approach to teaching communication and literacy while honoring each learner’s unique strengths and communication style.
It’s more than just a resource—it’s a bridge to better understanding, connection, and progress. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver, this toolkit equips you with the tools to create meaningful learning moments and celebrate growth along the way.
Ready to start your literacy journey today?
Imagine a world where every learner can express their needs, share their thoughts, and connect with others in their own way. The Emergent Literacy Toolkit is your first step toward making that vision a reality.
Order your toolkit now and help a learner in your life discover the joy of communication and the power of literacy!
