Step Up AT for Early Literacy

30-Second Classroom Rescue

Today's challenge: “My transitions are falling apart!”

The first few weeks of school are all about establishing those routines, and transitions can be one of the hardest parts of the day for the littles. When children aren't sure what's happening next, frustration, challenging behavior, and lost instructional time often follow.

This short clip shares one simple strategy you can try right away to make transitions more predictable and successful.

Watch the clip and let us know: What is the key to using transistions in your classroom?

School is starting ! You can’t wait to get to know your new students. Right away, you're noticing who jumps right into activities...and who hangs back. The little girl who loves to draw but struggles to hold a marker. The energetic boy wants to join play but can't quite activate the toy.

These first observations are some of the most important you'll make all year. They remind us that participation isn't just about what children know, it's also about whether they have the tools they need to engage.

Your support could involve adapting a writing tool or providing a different way to color. In some cases a switch-adapted toy could allow a child to play alongside classmates. Our AT for Writing, Motor Skills, and Play playlist explores practical ways to reduce barriers so children can write, create, explore, and play with greater independence - that’s the goal!

As you get to know your students this year, pay attention to the moments when effort, not ability, is getting in the way. That’s where a small adaptation can make a lasting difference.

🎥 Explore the playlist on our YT channel!

Have you ever explained something in your classroom...and realized a child couldn't fully see or hear it? They can't participate in a lesson if they can't clearly see the materials or hear what's being said.

We often think of assistive technology as specialized equipment, but what if the most effective support starts with the classroom itself? Changing where a child sits, reducing background noise during instruction, or making materials easier to see can have an immediate impact on participation.

When those strategies aren't enough, assistive technology can provide additional support that helps children fully engage in learning.

Today we're highlighting our AT for Vision and Hearing Supports playlist, where we explore practical strategies and tools that help remove sensory barriers so children can focus on the learning. Small changes can make a big difference.

🎥 Explore the playlist on our YouTube channel!

Reading to children isn't the same as reading with children.

Story time is often where children discover new words, build background knowledge, and develop a love of reading…but if a child can't hold the book, turn the pages, understand the pictures, or actively participate in the story, they're missing the entire literacy experience.

Assistive technology can help remove those barriers.

It’s adapting a book so pages are easier to turn. It's adding symbols or interactive pieces to increase participation. It can be the use of a digital storybook or props that help children understand and engage with the story.

This week, we're highlighting our AT for Shared Reading playlist, filled with practical ideas for making story time more engaging and meaningful for every learner.
🎥 Explore the playlist on our YT channel!

It’s almost time for classrooms to fill up with children asking questions, sharing ideas, making friends, telling stories, and engaging in all of your carefully-planned activities.

But for some children, spoken words aren't the easiest way to communicate. That's where augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in your classroom can help.

AAC includes everything from simple choice boards and single-message buttons to robust speech-generating devices. You can make them yourself, contact your program’s assistive technology or speech department, or try out a short-term loan from FAAST, Inc.!

To bring you up to speed, this week we're highlighting our AT for Communication playlist, where you'll find practical videos on:
Different types of AAC tools
Choosing communication supports for individual learners
Using AAC to support language and early literacy
Simple strategies you can start using right away

When we make communication accessible from the first day of school, we give children opportunities to belong without hesitation…
🎥 Explore the playlist on our YT channel!

Even before you teach your first lesson this school year, your classroom is already sending messages. Can children find books? Do they know what comes next? Can they make choices independently?

A thoughtfully designed classroom environment supports learning long before instruction begins.

Our Setting Up the Environment playlist shares simple ideas for creating literacy-rich spaces, using assistive technology to support classroom routines and transitions, and helping children become more independent throughout the day, as you can see in this clip.

The smallest changes to the environment sometimes make the biggest difference for learners.
Explore the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw-PW-7adWurxcHZtqHWZqa52TGo6bee2

As July comes to a close, you're probably thinking about lesson plans, classroom routines, and organizing materials (whether you want to or not).

Here's one more question to add to your checklist: How will every preschooler participate in learning from day one?

Creating an inclusive classroom starts long before choosing an app or introducing an assistive technology tool. You start by understanding how young children develop early literacy skills, recognizing that every learner brings unique strengths and needs, and planning instruction that allows everyone to participate.

That's exactly what you'll find in our Early Literacy & AT Considerations playlist.
Whether you're new to assistive technology or looking for a refresher before students arrive, these short videos will help you think about:

* Why early literacy matters
* Using the SETT Framework to make thoughtful decisions
* Making technology work for learning
and * Supporting meaningful participation during instruction

As we get closer to go time, we'll be sharing one playlist each week to help you prepare for the new school year (maybe 2, since you won’t have much downtime soon). Because the best school year begins with a plan for every learner.

Come see our YT playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw-PW-7adWuoMtvfApqFD-PH35BBFZXpT

When learning AAC, think exposure, not mastery.

Children learning spoken language don't master one word before hearing the next. They hear words used over and over in meaningful moments, gradually building understanding and confidence.

AAC learning works the same way.

Rather than racing through long vocabulary lists, try focusing on a small set of meaningful words for a period of time. Use those words often during everyday routines, model them across different activities, and create plenty of opportunities for children to use them.

There's no universal order for teaching words, and there's no finish line that says a child has "mastered" one before moving on to another. Every child develops communication differently.

The goal isn't to complete a vocabulary checklist. It's to surround children with meaningful opportunities to discover that communication works.

After you have identified words and messages that are meaningful to a child, an effective way to support AAC learning is by modeling its use. Just like spoken language, AAC is learned by seeing and hearing it used over and over again.

It's also important to make communication worth using. Practice works best during activities the child already loves, like playing with bubbles, reading a favorite book, building with blocks, sharing a snack, or singing a favorite song.

Every time we model and respond, we're sending an important message: your words have power.