• A child’s earliest experiences, in the first three years, with books and stories build early language and literacy (reading and writing) skills. 

• Using literacy materials such as books, paper, and crayons with young children are the building blocks for language, reading, and writing development. 

• Children gain significant knowledge of language, reading, and writing long before they enter school.

Early Literacy research states that:

• Language, reading, and writing skills develop at the same time and are intimately linked.

• Early literacy development is a continuous developmental process that begins in the first years of life.

• Early literacy skills develop in real life settings through positive interactions with literacy materials and other people.

Early literacy theory emphasizes the more natural unfolding of skills through:

• The enjoyment of books.

• The importance of positive interactions between young children and adults.

• The critical role of literacy-rich experiences.

Adapted from www.zerotothree.org/BrainWonders 

The purpose of the CLSD grant is to create comprehensive literacy programs to advance

literacy skills through the use of evidence-based practices, activities, and interventions, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing, for children birth through grade 12, with an emphasis on disadvantaged children, including children living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities.

The goal of the Hawaii CLSD Early Literacy Project is to supplement current early literacy efforts

with innovative strategies to: (1) advance the foundational language and literacy skills in our

youngest keiki; and (2) engage families to support their children’s development and learning,

targeting the most vulnerable and underrepresented communities.

Besides the partners listed below, are other interested programs are:

• Malama Family Recovery Center

• Hana School

• Private Preschools