The early childhood years provide a critical opportunity to lay a strong foundation for children’s future success and their readiness for school. While there is no question that the development of literacy skills are an important component of school readiness, equally important is the facilitation of relationships—between teacher and child, parent and child, and teacher and parent. Through these relationships, children develop the social-emotional skills, learning skills, and problem solving skills that enable them to become successful readers and lifelong learners. Just as in the parent-child relationship, the quality of the teacher-child relationship has the power to dramatically impact a child’s development and learning. In order to ensure children’s future success in school and in life, these relationships must be carefully nurtured through thoughtful reflective teaching practices.

About the Presenter:

Kai-leé Berke is a Senior Advisor with Promise Venture Studio and the Vice Chair of the Board and former CEO of Teaching Strategies. Prior to her appointment as CEO, she held roles as Teaching Strategies’ Vice President of Curriculum and Assessment, Chief Product Officer and Chief Academic Officer, during which time she authored and developed the company’s most impactful solutions including the GOLD® assessment system and all editions of The Creative Curriculum®. She is a lifelong early childhood educator and administrator, having taught and cared for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and Kindergarteners in public, private and Department of Defense programs and is a mother of two.