At Early Steps Learning Center, we believe that learning to read is one of the most empowering milestones in early childhood. This Fall 2025, we’re excited to share how our classrooms are embracing the Science of Reading — a research-based approach that helps children build the essential skills for lifelong literacy.
What Is the Science of Reading?
The Science of Reading is an interdisciplinary body of research that explains:
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How children learn to read and write proficiently.
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Why some learners struggle with literacy.
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How explicit, systematic instruction in the following key areas benefits all students:
✔ Phonemic Awareness — hearing and manipulating sounds in words
✔ Phonics — connecting letters with their sounds
✔ Vocabulary — understanding and using new words
✔ Fluency — reading smoothly and with expression
✔ Comprehension — making sense of what they read
✔ Writing — expressing thoughts through print
At ESLC, we use structured literacy methods that strengthen the brain pathways needed for fluent, confident reading.
Key Components in Our Classrooms:
Our preschool literacy program integrates these essential components every day:
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Phonemic Awareness: Rhyming games, sound matching, and word play build listening and sound recognition skills.
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Phonics: Children learn letter-sound relationships through systematic lessons.
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Vocabulary: Storybooks, conversations, and Building World Knowledge (BWK) activities expand language skills.
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Fluency: Teachers model expressive reading during interactive read-alouds.
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Comprehension: Students practice understanding stories through discussion and creative storytelling.
Assessing Growth and Progress
To ensure each child’s success, we monitor literacy growth throughout the school year:
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October: Baseline assessment
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Mid-January: Progress check
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June: Final assessment
This ongoing monitoring helps us personalize instruction and celebrate every achievement along the way.
Bringing Literacy to Life
Our classrooms are full of joyful learning experiences that bring reading to life — from rhyming songs and story time to hands-on letter activities and small-group practice. Through play, interaction, and curiosity, our students are building the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Looking Ahead
We’re proud to align our curriculum with the Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards (OELDS) for ages 3–5 and to continue advancing early literacy education through the Science of Reading.
At ESLC, every child is becoming a reader — one sound, one word, and one joyful story at a time.
Does this capture your interest, and your child is not yet enrolled? Learn more about our programs here.
