Early Years Literacy & Learning Resources

Kindergarten (WA, QLD, SA, TAS) Preschool (ACT, NT, NSW, VIC). An Early Years implementation of PLD programs and tracking of skill development has been outlined on pages 5-8 of our downloadable Whole School Literacy Plan: https://pld-literacy.org/wslp/. The purpose of this guide is to provide an outline to assist schools in scheduling the PLD programs within a broad school-based strategy.  Detailed below, PLD has a range of evidence-based programs, parent education downloads, screening tools, professional learning opportunities, Apps and products to help you implement this approach in your classroom.

Literacy

Oral Language

Movement & Motor

Downloads

Screening Tools

Starter Packs

Online Courses

Seminars

Apps

eBooks

  • Alphabet the Multi Sensory Way – Foundation Font
    From $51.00$51.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A program for 4-6 year olds, incorporating Stage 1 phonic concepts.

    Students require alphabetic and phonic knowledge in order to embark on the process of learning to read, spell and write. However, rather than letter naming ability, sound knowledge is more important for entry into literacy learning. Not only are alphabet sounds more important for early literacy, but alphabetic sound ability is the more difficult for students to acquire. For this reason and designed by Speech Pathologists for teachers and parents, Alphabet the Multi Sensory Way aims to establish strong alphabet and phonic sound ability. Within this program for 4 to 6 year olds, a multi-sensory approach to teaching the alphabetic and phonic sounds has been adopted: Students kinaesthetically feel what their mouth is doing when they produce the alphabet and phonic sounds. Students see what their mouths look like when their mouths produce the alphabet and phonic sounds (via the visual representation of the mouth on each page). Students also visually connect a core picture/word with the alphabet and phonic sounds (e.g. ‘mix’, ‘teeth’ and ‘snake’). From an auditory (and phonemic awareness) perspective students identify the initial sounds in simple target words (e.g. teeth starts with a ‘t’). Students move and rehearse a basic action associated with each target picture (which also engages a kinaesthetic dimension.) This flip book incorporating Stage 1 phonic concepts features: Simple to use format Card sets explicitly teach the alphabet and phonic sounds. Students feel their mouth making the sounds. A body action is outlined for each sound. An effective and engaging way to teach the alphabet and phonic sounds. This publication is mentioned within the ‘Whole School Literacy Strategy’ booklet on pages 5-8. This resource is also available in a cursive font.   Generous discounts apply for bulk orders 5 to 9 copies – 15% discount applies 10+ copies – 20% discount applies

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  • Pre-Literacy and Early Literacy Screens
    From $65.00$65.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    Profiling the precursors of pre-literacy, early reading, and spelling.

    The aim of Pre-Literacy and Early Literacy Screens for 4 to 8 year old students is to provide time-efficient screening options that track junior primary skills and inform teaching requirements. Within the multiple pre-literacy and early literacy screening tools, clear administration instructions are explained within the manual. The ‘Pre-Literacy Screens’ investigate children’s development in phonological awareness and alphabetic knowledge; core skills which facilitate early literacy development. The ‘Early Literacy Screens’ investigate early reading and spelling development, along with prerequisite skills. This essential Early Years resource includes: An Alphabet Readiness Screen. An updated version of The Pre-Literacy Screen with updated features: the rhyme identification sub-test listed is marked as optional, there are new formats for tracking alphabet recognition (i.e. for reading) and alphabet recall and formation (i.e. for spelling and writing), a CVC reading subtests now follows the blending subtest, and a CVC spelling subtest now follows the segmentation subtest. An Early Literacy Screen to review students in the junior primary school years in the areas of decoding and spelling. A CVC Single Word Reading and Spelling Screen (with an optional section for the students who are experiencing difficulty acquiring these skills). A sh, ch, th, oo, ee, ck Single Word Reading and Spelling Screen (with an optional section for the students who are experiencing difficulty acquiring these skills). A CCVC Single Word Reading and Spelling Screen (with an optional section for the students who are experiencing difficulty acquiring these skills). A CVCC Single Word Reading and Spelling Screen (with an optional section for the students who are experiencing difficulty acquiring these skills). A Junior Primary Spelling and Reading profile. This publication is mentioned within the Whole School Literacy Strategy booklet on page 6.

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  • Learning to Blend Onset and Rime
    From $51.00$51.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A phonemic awareness (onset and rime) blending program, designed to prepare children for reading.

    Phonological awareness (and more specifically phonemic awareness) appears to unlock the mystery of word recognition and spelling. Once a child is conscious of the sounds that comprise words, the mapping of the sounds to the alphabetic system occurs with much greater ease. The phonemic awareness pre-requisite for reading simple regular CVC [consonant-vowel-consonant] words such as ‘fig’, ‘tin’ and ‘mat’ is the skill of blending. First students must learn to blend at an onset and rime level. E.g. ‘Listen carefully and put these sounds together and guess this word:’ ‘f’ (one second pause) ‘ig’?’ Students then learn to blend at the phonemic or individual sound level: E.g. ‘Listen carefully and put these sounds together and guess this word; ‘m’ (one second pause) ‘a’ (one second pause) ‘t’? Answer: ‘mat’. The Phonemic Awareness Skill for Reading: Blending Despite the research supporting the importance of blending, this skill is too often overlooked. The negative side of presenting reading activities without attention to the pre-requisite skill is that it does not set up all children for success. Within Learning to Blend Onset and Rime for Early Years and Foundation, the phonemic awareness skill of blending is targeted. Blending represents an immediate precursor to decoding ability. The colour card sets form the basis of short explicit instruction sessions. The scripted instructions provide clear guidelines on how to effectively teach blending. When this program is used in conjunction with screening this program forms a significant component in a school’s preventative/early intervention strategy.   Includes: A no-preparation required spiral bound A5 full colour flip book. Introduction/Note from the author. Over 40 coloured picture which develop the skill of blending. Each card has specific scripted instructions. A progress check/skill assessment to review readiness for reading. Aim for 2-3 minutes of blending several times a day. This publication is mentioned within the ‘Whole School Literacy Strategy’ booklet on page 6.  

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  • Wikki Stix – Bulk pack b192
    $32.50
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A supplementary resource suitable to use with certain PLD resources.

    Wikki Stix are made of yarn and food-grade nontoxic wax. They have been manufactured in the USA for over twenty years. Slightly tacky, they stick

  • Learning to Blend Three Phonemes
    From $51.00$51.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A phonemic awareness blending program, designed to prepare children for reading.

    Phonological awareness (and more specifically phonemic awareness) appears to unlock the mystery of word recognition and spelling. Once a child is conscious of the sounds that comprise words, the mapping of the sounds to the alphabetic system occurs with much greater ease. The phonemic awareness pre-requisite for reading simple regular CVC [consonant-vowel-consonant] words such as ‘fig’, ‘tin’ and ‘mat’ is the skill of blending. First students must learn to blend at an onset and rime level. E.g. ‘Listen carefully and put these sounds together and guess this word:’ ‘f’ (one second pause) ‘ig’?’ Students then learn to blend at the phonemic or individual sound level: E.g. ‘Listen carefully and put these sounds together and guess this word; ‘m’ (one second pause) ‘a’ (one second pause) ‘t’? Answer: ‘mat’. The Phonemic Awareness Skill for Reading: Blending Despite the research supporting the importance of blending, this skill is too often overlooked. The negative side of presenting reading activities without attention to the pre-requisite skill is that it does not set up all children for success. Within Learning to Blend Three Phonemes for Early Years and Foundation, the phonemic awareness skill of blending is targeted. Blending represents an immediate precursor to decoding ability. The colour card sets form the basis of short explicit instruction sessions. The scripted instructions provide clear guidelines on how to effectively teach blending. When this program is used in conjunction with screening this program forms a significant component in a school’s preventative/early intervention strategy.   Includes: A no-preparation required spiral bound A5 full colour flip book. Introduction/Note from the author. Over 40 coloured picture which develop the skill of blending. Each card has specific scripted instructions. A progress check/skill assessment to review readiness for reading. Aim for 2-3 minutes of blending several times a day. This publication is mentioned within the Whole School Literacy Strategy booklet on pages 6 & 10.

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  • Preparing for the alphabet
    From $65.00$65.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    Beginning sound awareness: a phonemic awareness program

    Preparing for the alphabet is designed for students aged 4 to 5 and sets about the basics required for pre-literacy. The explicit 5 minute sessions contain an outline of instructions and guidelines on how to effectively teach initial sound awareness. These instructions can form the basis of assistant and parent education. When Preparing for the alphabet is used in conjunction with PLD’s Pre-Literacy Screening this forms a significant component in a school’s early intervention strategy. Children require the phonemic awareness skill of initial sound awareness in order to fully understand the alphabetic system. Why? When children are conscious of single sounds (i.e. they can ‘hear’ and ‘say’ the beginning sounds in words) only then does the alphabetic system make sense; as the alphabetic symbols represent sounds (or phonemes) in words. For example; When a child can identify that ‘sun’ starts with a ‘sssss’ and ‘tap’ starts with a ‘t’ it is then an ideal time to introduce the alphabetic symbols that correspond with the sounds that the child is aware of. Too often the alphabet is introduced without any explicit attention to initial sound awareness. This must-have resource includes: Instructions that provide clear guidelines on how to effectively teach initial sound awareness Screening tool to determine readiness for an alphabet program 27 x mouth cards for continuant sounds with 120 x small activity picture cards 16 x mouth cards for stop sounds with 72 small activity picture cards This publication is mentioned within the Whole School Literacy Strategy booklet on page 6.

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  • Alphabet Letter Sounds
    From $57.00$57.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    An instruction manual (with games and worksheets) targeting letter sounds and letter formation for 4 to 6 year olds.

    Children require knowledge of the alphabet in order to learn to read, spell and write. Designed by Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, Alphabet sound knowledge for 4 to 6 Year Olds is the key to early literacy learning, rather than letter naming. For example: In order to read the word ‘dog’ a child must recognise each letter symbol and convert each symbol into the correct sound ‘d’, ‘oh’, ‘g’ and then the child must blend the sounds together (phonemic blending ability). In order to spell the basic word ‘cup’ a child must first ‘sound-out’ (or phonemically segment) ‘c’, ‘u’, ‘p’ and then the child must recall and apply in the correct order the alphabet symbols. As these examples illustrate, alphabetic letter naming does not help a child to blend nor segment the sounds in words. It is their knowledge of the alphabet sounds which allows them to read and spell the words. This resource, therefore, focuses on alphabet sounds for early literacy learners. The recommended order of presentation is: Group 1: s, p, n, i, a, t Group 2: m, r, h, e, d, c Group 3: f, l, g, o, u b Group 4: w, j, v, k, z, y, q, x The resource provides multiple opportunities to rehearse the recognition, application and letter formation of the alphabet sounds. Features: Instruction manual (156 pages) Games and worksheets Alphabet sound knowledge checks Screening formats to track student performance on letter-sound recognition and letter formation.

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  • Alphabet sound charts – Foundation Font
    $64.90
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A multi-sensory approach to learning alphabet sounds through listening, seeing and saying.

    Children require knowledge of the alphabet in order to learn to read, spell and write. Alphabet sound knowledge is the key to early literacy learning,

  • Vocabulary and Syllable Time – Set 1
    From $51.00$51.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    Phonological awareness training with semantic categories.

    Vocabulary and syllable time – Set 1 for children aged 3-4 was developed by a speech pathologist for teachers and parents. The short sessions are designed to extend vocabulary and phonological awareness skills to prepare children for literacy. The scripted instructions provide clear guidelines on how to use the program. When this resource is used in conjunction with the progress screen, the program aims to maximise early intervention efforts. Includes: A note from the Diana Rigg, which provides a theoretical overview. Over 40 coloured cards, organised into the five semantic groups. A quick progress check/assessment to review skill development. A ‘no preparation’ required spiral bound A5 gloss coloured card Flip Book This publication is mentioned within the ‘Whole School Literacy Strategy‘ booklet on page 6.

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  • Vocabulary and Syllable Time – Set 2
    From $51.00$51.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    Phonological awareness training with semantic categories.

    Vocabulary and syllable time – Set 2 for children aged 3-4 was developed by a speech pathologist for teachers and parents. The short sessions are designed to extend vocabulary and phonological awareness skills to prepare children for literacy. The scripted instructions provide clear guidelines on how to use the program. When this resource is used in conjunction with the progress screen, the program aims to maximise early intervention efforts. Includes: A note from the Diana Rigg, which provides a theoretical overview. Over 40 coloured cards, organised into the five semantic groups. A quick progress check/assessment to review skill development. A ‘no preparation’ required spiral bound A5 gloss coloured card Flip Book This publication is mentioned within the ‘Whole School Literacy Strategy‘ booklet on page 6.

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  • Preparing for reading
    From $65.00$65.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A phonemic awareness program for 4 and 5 year olds targeting CVC blending.

    One of the most significant pre-requisites for reading, spelling and writing is phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness is strongly associated with early literacy achievement. In Preparing for reading for 4 and 5 year olds, blending is targeted as blending represents an immediate precursor to decoding ability. This resource contains coloured card sets recommended for explicit 5 minute instruction sessions and provide clear guidelines on how to effectively teach blending. These instructions can form the basis of assistant and parent education. The PLD developmental 5 step phonological awareness process has been designed by Speech Pathologists for use in schools. When used in conjunction with PLD’s pre-literacy screening, this program forms a significant component in a school’s preventative early intervention strategy. Phonemic Awareness Readiness for Reading The phonemic awareness pre-requisite skill involved in reading simple regular CVC [consonant-vowel-consonant] words such as ‘fig’, ‘tin’ and ‘mat’ is the skill of blending. First students must learn to blend at an onset and rime level. E.g. ‘Listen carefully and put these sounds together and guess this word:’ ‘f’ (one second pause) ‘ig’?’ Students then learn to blend at the phonemic or individual sound level: E.g. ‘Listen carefully and put these sounds together and guess this word; ‘m’ (one second pause) ‘a’ (one second pause) ‘t’? Answer: ‘mat’. Features: Instruction manual (24 pages) 5 different blending activities with instructions 125+ colour cards, 3 x game boards This publication is mentioned within the Whole School Literacy Strategy booklet on pages 6 and 10. Generous discounts apply for bulk orders 5 to 9 copies – 15% discount applies 10+ copies – 20% discount applies

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  • Alphabet Finger Tracing and Rainbow Writing
    From $39.00$39.00 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    Learning how to form lower case alphabet sounds with scripted verbal ques.

    Students require alphabetic knowledge in order to embark on the process of learning to read, spell and write. However, rather than letter naming ability, letter sound knowledge is the more important variable for entry into literacy learning. For example: In order to spell the basic word ‘dog’ a student must first ‘sound-out’ (or phonemically segment) ‘d’, ‘oh’, ‘g’ and then the student must recall and apply in the correct order the alphabet symbols. In order to read the word ‘sun’ a student must recognize each letter symbol and convert each symbol into the correct sound ‘s’, ‘uh’, ‘n’ and then the student must blend the sounds together (phonemic blending ability). In neither of the above early spelling and reading processes did alphabetic letter naming come into the equation. Alphabet Finger Tracing and Rainbow Writing for 4 to 5 year olds aims to establish a strong alphabet sound ability for early literacy through a multi-sensory approach. Multisensory alphabet learning: Students kinaesthetically feel what their mouth is doing when they produce the letter sounds. Students see what their mouths look like when their mouths produce the letter sound (via the visual representation of the mouth on each page). Students also visually connect a core picture/word with the letter sound (e.g. ‘mix’, ‘teeth’ and ‘snake’). From an auditory (and phonemic awareness) perspective students identify the initial sound in simple target words (e.g. teeth starts with a ‘t’). Students form the letters with correct starting points and while simultaneously chanting the cues that assist correct formation. Features: Created by Occupational therapists and speech pathologists Two levels of verbal formation cues. 26 x A4 colour double sided alphabet formation cards. This publication is mentioned within the ‘Whole School Literacy Strategy‘ booklet on page 7.

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  • Wikki stix, neon pak
    $16.00
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A supplementary resource suitable to use with certain PLD resources.

    Wikki Stix are made of yarn and food-grade non toxic wax. They have been manufactured in the USA for over twenty years. Slightly tacky, they

  • Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years
    $24.20$24.20 incl. GST
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    Alphabet support for the Early Years.

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  • Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Foundation (Downloadable)
    $2.00
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    Designed by Speech Pathologists and educators, Alphabet Desk Mats have been created for children aged 3-5 years old to support early writing efforts. These downloadable desk mat resources are ideal for use in the school or home to assist children providing: Letter starting points of lower case letters Reminders of correct pencil grip The pictures […]

    Designed by Speech Pathologists and educators, Alphabet Desk Mats have been created for children aged 3-5 years old to support early writing efforts. These downloadable

  • Wikki stix, primary pak
    $16.00
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A supplementary resource suitable to use with certain PLD resources.

    Wikki Stix are made of yarn and food-grade non toxic wax. They have been manufactured in the USA for over twenty years. Slightly tacky, they

  • Alphabet Desk Strips – Foundation Font (Downloadable)
    $2.00
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    The desk strips are attractive resources for use in the school or home to assist children during early spelling and writing efforts providing: Letter starting points, sizing of letter and placement online Reminders of correct pencil grip Pictures to support alphabet sound recall Available in Cursive or Foundation font Includes: One Alphabet Desk Strip in […]

    The desk strips are attractive resources for use in the school or home to assist children during early spelling and writing efforts providing: Letter starting

  • Alphabet the Multi Sensory Way – Cursive Font
    $64.90
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A program for 4-6 year olds, incorporating Stage 1 phonic concepts.

    Students require alphabetic and phonic knowledge in order to embark on the process of learning to read, spell and write. However, rather than letter naming

  • Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)
    $2.00
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    Designed by Speech Pathologists and educators, Alphabet Desk Mats have been designed for children aged 3-5 years old to support early writing efforts. They are attractive resources for use in the school or home to assist children providing: Letter starting points of lower case letters Reminders of correct pencil grip The pictures support alphabet sound recall […]

    Designed by Speech Pathologists and educators, Alphabet Desk Mats have been designed for children aged 3-5 years old to support early writing efforts. They are attractive

  • Alphabet sound charts – Cursive Font
    $64.90
    Alphabet Desk Mats for The Early Years – Cursive (Downloadable)

    A multi-sensory approach to learning alphabet sounds through listening, seeing and saying. Children require knowledge of the alphabet in order to learn to read, spell and write. Alphabet sound knowledge is the key to early literacy learning, rather than letter naming. For example: In order to read the word ‘dog’ a child must recognise each […]

    A multi-sensory approach to learning alphabet sounds through listening, seeing and saying. Children require knowledge of the alphabet in order to learn to read, spell