Unlocking the power of early reading: Your role in the story

About the webinar

Join us for an inspiring webinar exploring the profound impact of early reading and storytelling on children’s lives as part of the National Year of Reading 2026. This session will highlight how early years educators, teachers and communities can nurture a child’s developing identity as a reader and embed story moments into everyday routines in the setting, as well as empowering parents to embed the love of reading in the home.

Who are the speakers?

Our expert speakers will share research, practice, and resources to support you in shaping children’s futures through the gift of early reading:

• Dr Karen Boardman – Head of Early Years Education at Edge Hill University, with over 40 years’ experience in Early Childhood Education and Care. Her research focuses on literacy, early reading, and pedagogy for under-threes.
• Professor Sally Pearse – Strategic Lead for Early Years and Director of the Early Years Community Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University. She specialises in partnership with families, children’s social and emotional development, and trauma-informed practice.
• Dr Fufy Demissie – Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University and Project Director of TWiTCH, a professional training programme for early years practitioners. Her work focuses on enquiry-based learning and supporting practitioners to facilitate high-quality talk for thinking.

Join us to hear about:

• The importance of early reading in shaping children’s identities and outcomes
• Practical ways to embed storytelling into everyday routines and interactions
• Insights from the TWiTCH programme, supporting practitioners to develop confidence in facilitating children’s talk and thinking
• Resources and strategies to support families and communities in making reading for pleasure part of daily life

This webinar is perfect for early years educators practitioners, teachers and community organisations who want to strengthen their practice and empower families to support children’s early literacy.

Please complete the form below to register. You will then receive an email containing the link to the webinar. For more information, email NYREarlyYears@literacytrust.org.uk.