Imagine a preschool classroom where literacy learning is a fun, natural and ongoing part of the day. A classroom where educators create powerful literacy-learning opportunities for all children, including those who are falling behind or who are second-language learners. In a busy early childhood setting, this may seem challenging, but the ABC and Beyond™ guidebook can help to make it happen.  

ABC and Beyond takes the most current research on what builds emergent literacy best and translates it into fun, easy-to-remember techniques that educators can apply naturally throughout the day. With content drawn from The Hanen Centre’s ABC and Beyond Program for Building Emergent Literacy, this guidebook helps transform the way educators share books and have conversations with children, supporting them to nurture the key early literacy skills that set all young children on the path to success.  

ABC and Beyond outlines research-based strategies for promoting two important sets of early literacy skills during shared book reading and everyday conversations:

1. Meaning-related skills

These skills help children make sense of the print they read, forming ideas and understanding that go beyond what’s written on the page. Meaning-related skills include:

• Conversation 
• Vocabulary 
• Story comprehension 

2. Decoding skills

These skills help children decode print to sound out words and to make sense of what’s on the page. Decoding skills include:

• Print knowledge 
• Phonological awareness

• Memorable, easy-to-follow strategies to build both meaning-related and code-related literacy skills. 
• Real-life photo examples of educators using ABC and Beyond strategies with a variety of children.  
• “Try it Out” checklists to support educators to practice and reflect on their use of strategies. 
• Print and e-Book formats available.