The Office of Instructional Supports: Early Learning supports South Carolina’s districts and will offer several free professional learning opportunities (PLOs) for teachers, teaching assistants, reading coaches, and administrators that will consist of face-to-face experiences to focus on literacy instructional strategies that impact student learning for students in four-year-old kindergarten (4K) through middle school. Participation in these PLO sessions will afford attendees the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Profile of a Ready Kindergartener, Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SC-ELS), and South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards.

If your school or district would like to request a book study or additional support via virtual training or face-to-face training please submit a request by visiting the following link: Office of Instructional Supports Early Learning Request for Assistance Form.

Print and Early Writing PLO

Print and Early Writing Training
Writing is one important component of a dynamic and engaging early childhood classroom. When children are provided with meaningful opportunities to explore print and writing throughout the day, they begin to understand that written language has purpose and meaning. A print-rich environment filled with labels, environmental print, books, signs, and authentic writing materials supports children's emergent literacy development and helps them make connections between spoken and written language. Through intentional, developmentally appropriate experiences, educators can nurture children's confidence as writers and empower them to express their ideas, experiences, and creativity through print. 

During this session, the ELS team will explore a practical framework that teachers can use to intentionally embed writing opportunities into daily classroom experiences, effectively evaluate children's writing development, and support each child in taking the next step along the continuum of emergent writing. Participants will examine the developmental progression of early writing, the critical role that print awareness and authentic writing experiences play in literacy development, and evidence-based strategies for fostering children's growth as communicators. In addition, the session will highlight connections to the South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SC-ELS), demonstrating how intentional writing and print-rich practices support language, literacy, communication, and cognitive development outcomes while promoting school readiness and lifelong learning. 

Early Language and Literacy  PLO

Early Language and Literacy Training
Early language and literacy development lays the foundation for children's future learning, communication, and academic success. From engaging in conversations and listening to stories to exploring books, print, and early writing experiences, young children develop essential skills that support reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. When educators create language- and literacy-rich environments filled with meaningful interactions, intentional instruction, and opportunities for exploration, children build the confidence and skills necessary to become effective communicators and lifelong learners. 

During this session, the ELS team will explore evidence-based early language and literacy practices that support young children's development across the continuum of learning. Participants will examine the critical components of early literacy, including oral language, vocabulary development, phonological awareness, print awareness, alphabet knowledge, comprehension, and emergent writing. The session will highlight the importance of intentional teacher-child interactions, interactive read-alouds, literacy-rich learning environments, and authentic opportunities for communication throughout the day. Participants will also explore how these practices align with the South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SC-ELS) and support children's growth across developmental domains. Educators will leave with practical strategies for embedding language and literacy experiences into daily routines, fostering positive literacy outcomes, and building a strong foundation for future reading and writing success. 

 Play-Based Learning PLO

Play-Based Learning Training
Play is at the heart of effective early childhood education and serves as a powerful vehicle for learning and development. Through play, young children explore their environment, build relationships, solve problems, develop language, and make sense of the world around them. A play-based learning approach creates opportunities for children to actively engage in meaningful experiences that promote creativity, curiosity, critical thinking, and independence. When teachers intentionally design and facilitate play experiences, children develop foundational skills across all developmental domains while fostering a lifelong love of learning. 

During this session, the ELS team will explore the essential role of play-based learning in supporting young children's growth and development. Participants will examine the characteristics of high-quality play experiences, the teacher's role in facilitating and extending children's learning through play, and strategies for creating engaging learning environments that encourage exploration, discovery, and inquiry. The session will highlight how intentional play experiences can be used to support language and literacy, mathematics, social-emotional development, physical development, and cognitive learning. In addition, participants will explore connections to the South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SC-ELS), demonstrating how play-based practices promote achievement across developmental domains while supporting school readiness, meaningful engagement, and positive outcomes for all children. 

Early Learning Standards PLO

Early Learning Standards Training
The South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SC-ELS) provide a comprehensive framework for supporting the growth, development, and learning of young children from birth through age five. Designed to promote high-quality teaching and learning practices, the standards help educators understand what children should know and be able to do across developmental domains while recognizing that each child develops at their own pace. By using the SC-ELS to guide intentional planning and observation teachers can create meaningful learning experiences that support children's progress and promote school readiness. 

During this session, the ELS team will provide an in-depth exploration of the South Carolina Early Learning Standards and their application in early childhood settings. Participants will examine the organization and purpose of the standards, explore developmental indicators across domains, and learn how to use the standards to inform curriculum planning, classroom instruction, and ongoing instructional practices. The session will highlight strategies for integrating the SC-ELS into daily routines, learning centers, and child-led experiences while maintaining developmentally appropriate practices. Educators will leave with a deeper understanding of how the SC-ELS support intentional teaching, foster equitable learning opportunities, and establish a strong foundation for children's success in school and beyond. 

SC Early Childhood MTSS: Building Inclusive Foundations PLO

SC Early Childhood MTSS: Building Inclusive Foundations Training
Beginning early in life, executive function is key for helping preschool children to understand and manage their emotions, feel, and show empathy for others, establish healthy relationships, set positive goals, and make responsible decisions. South Carolina has adopted the Pyramid framework to promote the social and emotional competence of children birth to age five in the context of nurturing relationships and high-quality learning environments. 
The Pyramid PIECES State Leadership Team (SLT) is an interagency group of state-level partners who collaborate to plan, implement, evaluate, and sustain a professional development system that supports high fidelity use of the Pyramid Model in our state.

The Pyramid Model builds upon a tiered approach to provide universal supports to all children to promote wellness, targeted services to those who need more support, and intensive services to those who need them. This session explores how the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social-Emotional Competence can be intentionally woven together with the SC Early Learning Standards (SC‑ELS) and play-based instruction to create learning environments where every child—regardless of ability, background, or need—experiences belonging, engagement, and growth. Through the lens of inclusive practice, participants will explore how Pyramid Model practices such as nurturing relationships, supportive environments, and explicit teaching of social-emotional skills align naturally with SC‑ELS domains including Emotional & Social Development, Approaches to Play, Communication, and Cognitive Development.  Participants will examine play as the vehicle for inclusion, exploring strategies such as embedded learning opportunities, peer-mediated supports, visual scaffolds, and environmental modifications that make participation accessible to all children.

In addition, early childhood educators and practitioners now have FREE access to modules.  Visit the following link for more information on the modules:  Pyramid Model Resources - Pyramid PIECES (external link)

I am a Teacher Too PLO

I am a Teacher Too Training
This session is designed for the preschool teacher’s assistant and paraprofessional. During this session, participants will have the opportunity to listen, interact and exchange ideas to ensure their performance in the classroom maximizes student outcomes. Topics will include the participants' role in oral language development through interactions and engagement, purposeful play-based activities, and recording observations.

Early Math Foundations PLO

Early Math Foundations Training
Mathematics is an essential part of a dynamic early childhood classroom and extends far beyond counting activities and calendar time. Young children naturally engage in mathematical thinking as they explore patterns, compare quantities, solve problems, measure, sort, build, and make sense of the world around them. A math-rich learning environment that incorporates purposeful materials, meaningful conversations, and hands-on experiences helps children develop foundational mathematical concepts and positive dispositions toward learning mathematics. Through intentional instruction and play-based exploration, educators can foster children's confidence as problem-solvers and critical thinkers while building the skills necessary for future academic success.

During this session, the ELS team will explore a practical framework that teachers can use to integrate meaningful mathematics experiences throughout the daily routine, assess children's mathematical understanding, and support each child in progressing along the developmental continuum of early mathematical learning. Participants will examine how mathematical concepts develop in young children, the importance of providing developmentally appropriate opportunities for exploration and discovery, and effective strategies for promoting number sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, data analysis, and problem-solving skills. In addition, the session will highlight connections to the South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SC-ELS), demonstrating how intentional mathematics instruction supports cognitive development, inquiry, reasoning, and school readiness while establishing a strong foundation for lifelong learning and mathematical success.

New CERDEP Teacher PLO

New CERDEP Teacher Training
In this PLO, new CERDEP teachers and assistants will learn more about the Profile of Ready Kindergartener, South Carolina Early Learning Standards, CERDEP monitoring, the Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation (ELLCO) Tool, classroom schedules, literacy rich environments, assessment, and purposeful play. ​​​​​​​

Additional PLO information 

Palmetto Pre-K Jamboree: Rooted in High Quality Early Learning Environments
The Palmetto Pre-K Jamboree is a collaboration between the SCDE, Head Start, SC First Steps and the SC Department of Social Services (DSS) and is supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5). This training will focus on ways to support and uplift the child’s natural curiosity through natural play and learning. All SC pre-K/preschool teachers, support staff and administrators are invited to join the virtual event. Conference information forthcoming. 

Champions Symposium –The Building Blocks of Literacy
The Champions for Young Children Symposium aims to provide a rich professional development experience around a specific theme for participants and to offer an opportunity for professionals from multiple facets of early childhood education and parents to access information and network (e.g., mental health, Head Start, pre-K (public and private), early intervention, home visitation, child care, early childhood education, early childhood special education). This conference will inspire and empower participants to understand their role related to reigniting their passion for supporting young children and their families and renewing their use of strategies to engage young children in learning. Conference information forthcoming. 

All attendees can qualify for SC DSS/SC Endeavors credit hours.  For more information on the Champions Symposium, please visit the following link:  https://www.scinclusion.org/champions-symposium/ (external link).