Identifying and Supporting Multilingual Learners in Transitional Kindergarten

Presenters:

Carolyne Crolotte, Eduardo Gutierez (Early Edge), Erin Freschi

Wednesday, March 26

2:45–4:00pm

Long Beach Convention Center

Room 103B

Description

As California is expanding its Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program to become the largest universal preschool program in the nation, it is critical that there is support for multilingual learners, who represent a large majority of California’s young learners. This session will focus on how to identify and support multilingual learners in TK settings, including sharing information on best practices and resources for teachers and families related to bilingualism, home language support, and English language development.

Outcomes

Participants will become familiar with:

Current laws and next steps in identifying dual language learners in Transitional Kindergarten.
Strategies to identify and support TK students and their families
Resources for administrators and school leaders in developing PreK/TK-3rd grade programs for dual language learners.

Workshop Slides

Copy of 2025-03-26_CABE Conference_Identifying and Supporting Multilingual Learners in Transitional Kindergarten

Resources

Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Toolkit for English Learner Roadmap Implementation

Supports the implementation of the California English Learner Roadmap policy as a framework to guide practice in preschools/TK across the state.

This toolkit enacts the commitments of the California Master Plan for Early Learning and Care to provide equitable access and quality care for dual language learners and utilizes the Principles of the California English Learner Roadmap to guide practice. Realizing the commitments to research-based, evidence-based practices that underlie both the Master Plan and the Roadmap, this Toolkit also draws heavily upon the professional knowledge base in early childhood education and the dual language development fields.

DOWNLOAD TOOLKIT

For Principals and Administrators: Supporting Multilingual Learners in Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Written in partnership with Californians Together, California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE), and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), this resource guides principals and administrators in welcoming and supporting multilingual students in their TK classrooms.

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For Teachers: Welcoming Multilingual Learners to Your TK Classroom

This TKCalifornia resource from Early Edge shares ways that teachers can welcome and support TK students who are Multilingual Learners (MLs).

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For Families: Benefits of Bilingualism and Supporting Home Language Development for Children in Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Written in partnership with Californians Together and CABE, this resource shares information on the benefits of bilingualism, the important role of the home language in English language development, and offers tips and strategies for supporting the home language at home.

DOWNLOAD RESOURCE