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Implementing PLD in the Early Years
Kindergarten (WA/QLD/SA/TAS), Preschool (NSW/ACT/NT/VIC)
The Early Years is a significant period in a child’s development. For best outcomes, play and child centred approaches need to be balanced with explicit targeted instruction. In the Early Years, PLD’s programs focus upon pre-literacy skills such as phonological awareness and the alphabet sounds, as well as fine and gross motor and oral language skill development.
Navigate to the relevant sections using the tabs below:
PLD have created downloadable implementation manuals that will assist with a step-by-step, term-by-term process. The manuals outline the PLD’s Teaching and Screening & Tracking process.
- What to teach? When to teach? How to cater for the range in ability? Download the Early Years Teaching Sequence Manual which extensively outlines Literacy, Oral Language and Movement & Motor teaching and learning outcomes.
- What to screen? When to screen? How to screen? and How to report on the data? Download the Early Years Screening & Tracking Manual. Each manual outlines detailed instructions, the materials required, time allocations and discontinue rules.
- Parent Education Downloads contain developmental milestones, information sheets, reference guides and links to the parent education videos for each Semester. PLD believes the best literacy outcomes are achieved when school and home work together.
Classroom teachers should begin by enrolling in professional development. Whether new to PLD this year, requiring a refresher (if the last training was 3+ years) or changing year levels we have listed out the options below.
- Option 1: The most time-efficient and cost-effective way to upskill with PLD is by enrolling in the ‘Implementing SSP in Early Years‘ online course. The three-hour course covers Australian Professional Development Standards.
- Videos 1 & 2 relate to Semester 1. (Installment 1 is available as a free preview)
- Videos 3 & 4 relate to Semester 2.
- Option 2: Book and attend one of the PLD Literacy and Learning seminars held throughout Australia.
- Option 3: Website Videos e.g. Essential Overviews of each term. as shown below.
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
If you have completed PLD Early Years professional development within the last three years, we recommend attending a refresher course to maintain the successful implementation of PLD’s SSP Programs. Explore more below.
PLD’s resources are based on international research, independently assessed by third parties and constantly updated as new research becomes available. PLD’s evidence-based programs are available either as an all-in-one Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) Kit, smaller Starter Packs, or as individual resources. These recommended programs are essential to the successful implementation of the ‘Teaching Sequences’ outlined in the Early Years Teaching Sequence Manual, and are aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework.
Unsure what PLD programs the school already has or are needed? Print off the PLD Program Audit Form. This form can be used to establish current titles in the school but also to identify essential titles required for each classroom.
The downloadable PLD Tracking Sheets are central to PLD’s approach. The sheets link the Early Years Teaching Sequence Manual with the Early Years Screening & Tracking Manual. Through mid and end of term progress checks, children’s abilities are plotted onto the Tracking Sheets, creating three groups, which form the basis of the targeted teaching. This process enables the classroom teacher to report on skill development of the class and simultaneously to establish an implementation plan.
Get Ready to Use the PLD Tracking Sheets in a Classroom Setting
- Register for and download the PLD Tracking Sheets HERE. Note: For whole-school implementation, this should already be completed by a school leader or admin
How to Screen & Track with PLD
1: Screen the Students in the Class
Within each term, conduct pre-literacy targeted teaching and screening. The screening reviews student phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge which will impact later reading and spelling development. Scores are entered into the Tracking Sheets.
2: Enter the results into the PLD Tracking Sheets
The results from each round of screening will need to be entered into the PLD Tracking Sheets. To assist with entering the data, refer to the Early Years Screening & Tracking Manual which comprehensively outlines PLD’s Screening & Tracking process.
Using the Tracking Sheets effectively requires confidence with three key spreadsheet skills. If required, PLD have provided assistance with these functions in the training video below.
3: Cluster the Class into Three Targeted Teaching Groups
Rather than arranging students in alphabetical order, establish a targeted implementation plan in which high performing, average and delayed students are grouped together to create three teaching groups.
- Completion of professional development either through an online course, seminar, or coaching sessions with one of PLD’s school support co-ordinators.
- Download the essential Teaching & Screening tools for this year including:
- Review the essential programs already in the school and select which programs are needed for the year ahead. Download the Audit Program form here.
- Download and set up the Tracking Sheets, if not already completed by the school leader or admin. Watch both the videos:
This four-step process should enable Early Years teachers to implement effective Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) within their classes. This will contribute towards Early Years students achieving a positive start to their schooling.
If you have a question about implementing PLD or any of the steps listed above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch through our online chat in the bottom right corner of this screen. We are always happy to help.