In this idea-packed workshop, you'll discover the many ways it is possible to transform your classroom or home to support natural early literacy skills through play, modeling, and developmentally appropriate practices. We will cover things like how to choose the right books for your group, how reading and writing develop holistically and should be supported equally, a variety of ways to incorporate rich literacy practices that aren't "drill and kill," and so much more. Most importantly, you will learn how to support a true and passionate love of reading in your childrens' lives - a gift they will treasure and carry with them forever.

 Leah McDermott, M.Ed. is a former Master Educator who spent her early career working in inner city public schools, where she realized how little interaction students had with nature and quality literature on a daily basis. It has since become her mission to help parents and teachers around the world bring more natural elements to their children's everyday learning experiences.  She does this mainly through her nature-inspired curriculum, A Child's World, her one-of-a-kind parent training course Grow Your Natural Learner, and through multiple professional development training programs for educators. Leah has over 15 years of experience educating and working with children of all ages, from infancy to college years. She has two Masters of Education degrees as a Reading Specialist, K-12 certification, and Curriculum and Instruction Design. She has been featured on The Huffington Post and has been speaking and offering virtual and live workshops for teachers and schools around the world for the past four years.