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Using Movement to Boost Early Literacy Skills: From Wiggles to Words
Thursday, October 29, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Using Movement to Boost Early Literacy Skills: From Wiggles to Words
Presented by Lisa Blume, Manager, Early Literacy Training and Development, Reading BrightStart!, Nemours Children’s Health; and Rebekah Duchette, RN BSN, Senior Program & Policy Analyst, Nemours Children’s Health
Moderated by Laura Wilhelm, Ed.D., VP of Professional Learning Services, Kaplan Early Learning Company
Sponsored by Kaplan Early Learning Company
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
In this interactive edWebinar, viewers explore the powerful connection between early literacy development and physical movement in early childhood. Research demonstrates that integrating purposeful movement into language and literacy instruction not only increases engagement but also strengthens the foundational skills children need for future reading success.
Viewers experience practical, classroom-friendly activities that reinforce key literacy concepts, including phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, oral language, and vocabulary development—all while keeping children active, engaged, and having fun. Educators will learn how to seamlessly embed movement into daily routines, transitions, circle time, and small-group instruction to create meaningful, multisensory learning experiences.
Viewers leave with engaging strategies and ready-to-use activities that support both early literacy growth and healthy physical development, helping young learners build strong foundations for school success. This recorded edWebinar is of interest to PreK teachers.
About the Presenters
Lisa Blume is the Manager of Early Literacy Training and Development for Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart! in Jacksonville, Florida. She develops and delivers evidence-based professional learning and curriculum training for school districts, early learning coalitions, and Head Start programs, with a focus on strengthening early language and literacy outcomes for young children. Through her work, Lisa partners with educators, literacy coaches, and school administrators to promote high-quality literacy practices that support diverse learners. Prior to joining Reading BrightStart! Lisa spent 17 years teaching in preschool and early elementary classrooms, where she developed a passion for helping children build strong foundations for reading success. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Education in Elementary Education from Texas Christian University.
Rebekah Duchette is a Senior Program & Policy Analyst with Nemours Children’s Health. She provides technical assistance to state leaders and ECE trainers supporting efforts to strengthen health practices, policies, and environments. She coordinates a physical activity training series available for early-care settings in 26 states known as PALS. Her background includes work as a public health nurse and Child Care Health Consultant. She has led community- and state-level work to support quality initiatives with families and early-care settings, including roles as the Executive Director of a United Way Success by Six® initiative and a Project Manager with the Kentucky Department of Public Health. Rebekah has over 20 years of experience providing adult learning through patient education and professional development for childcare professionals. She is a certified Lifestyle Coach through the Diabetes Training and Technical Assistance Center and a Gulf War Veteran. She lives in Rochester, New York.
About the Moderator
As the Vice President for Professional Learning at Kaplan, Laura Wilhelm, Ed.D., draws on decades of experience teaching young children and early childhood professionals, starting with toddlers in the 1980s, followed by PreK-third grade in urban and suburban schools, and as a university lab school director. Since earning her doctorate in ECE curriculum and instruction in 1999, she has served as a program director, full professor, national validator for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and a site visitor for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Programs (CAEP). She enjoys planning professional development, speaking at conferences, leading study tours, visiting early education programs around the world, and returning home to her family. She is the author of The Neglected Child: How to Recognize, Respond, and Prevent (2013); Treasure Baskets: Heuristic Learning for Infants and Toddlers (2017); Enticing Environments for People Under Three (2021); and Living Loose Parts: Creatures of Curiosity (2024), all from Gryphon House.
Join the Practical Strategies for Early Learning community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
For more than 50 years, Kaplan Early Learning Company has been a champion for play. From our research-based curricula to enriching classroom environments and innovative technology solutions, Kaplan’s products and services inspire a lifelong love of learning in children and educators. We are architects of learning good and defenders of the imagination. We live for inseparable bonds and open minds. We encourage the eager and inspire the inspirers. We transform lives through play.
