A conference on 13th July organised by Reading Borough Council celebrates a year-long project in which schools and settings have been improving the language of their early years children through engagement with parents, the environment and professional development. It gives delegates the opportunity to learn how to set up and run their own project to improve the language of their children.
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The RGC Hello 2 Celebration, which will run from 9.30 – 4pm at Reading’s Madejski Stadium, is set to inspire a group of professionals that is already remarkable for its dedication. The IoE’s Professor Rhona Stainthorp and Associate Professor Helen Bilton will bring their wealth of dedication, research and experience to the event as its two keynote speakers.
Early years professionals are typically very passionate about improving the outcomes for their children through language and literacy, which can come through many means, particularly through closer engagement with parents. The Celebration will offer these practitioners, who come from early years setting and schools , the chance to mingle and discuss experiences and methods with peers, as well as hearing from the leading academics in their field. Vitally, they will also learn about the latest research outcomes that will underpin future developments in the rapidly evolving world of early years education.
Helen has been closely involved with the year-long literacy project that culminates in this celebration. This project was based on the successful National Literacy Trust’s HELLO scheme which, with funding from the Department for Education, worked with early years experts to improve the communication, language and literacy outcomes of children from birth to age three across multiple settings in 2016.
Professor Helen Bilton of the IoE said:
“I am delighted to be involved with this happy and laudable day when we celebrate the great achievements in our field, and more specifically the remarkable progress we have seen on this year-long journey. It will be wonderful to chat to teachers and providers during the celebration, because it is their dedication and enthusiasm that drives us all forward. The people who devote themselves to our field are second to none and I look forward to talking to lots of them!”
The RGC Hello 2
Helping Early Language & Literacy Outcomes Celebration Conference
9.30am – 4pm Thursday 13th July 2017
The Conference Centre, Madejski Stadium
Agenda
Registration, coffee & pastries – stalls open
Welcome & introduction to the project
Vocabulary matters – Dr Rhona Stainthorp, Professor, University of Reading
Break, stalls & networking
The role of the environment – Dr Helen Bilton, Associate Professor, University of Reading
Lunch & networking
How filming helped parents in supporting early reading – Miranda White, Cross Phase English Adviser & Gareth Tuck
The role of practitioners – measuring impact – Emma Mottershead, Senior Early Years Advisory Teacher
Prize giving
Cost
£90 for first delegate & second delegate has 20% discount – includes lunch & refreshments.
How to book
- In borough and registered? Book via the SLA on readingeducationservices.co.uk
- Out of borough or not registered? email connor@reading.gov.uk and we will send you an invoice.