Do More Foundation practitioners graduate from our Every Word Counts program

2023

Practitioners recently completed the Every Word Counts (EWC) program—a Wordworks series of eight monthly sessions offering practical ideas to support early language and literacy development. The EWC program focuses on two key age groups: pregnancy to 3 years, and 3–5 years.

Recently, Wordworks celebrated the graduation of practitioners from the Do More Foundation, marking the culmination of 8 sessions held once a month since March of this year. The practitioners participated in Every Word Counts (EWC), a Wordworks programme consisting of 8 sessions per year, held monthly. The EWC programme provides practical ideas for supporting the development of early language and literacy, across two age bands: pregnancy to 3 years and 3–5 years. During the initial two sessions, practitioners undergo training for the EWC programme. The rest of the sessions include ongoing support and mentoring to reinforce their skills. The graduation was a notable occasion. One practitioner proudly showcased resources she had personally crafted over the past 8 sessions. She demonstrated how she integrates these materials into her classroom, emphasising a significant shift in her approach. Previously, she didn’t allow children to interact with books and resources, but she now recognises the positive impact of creating an engaging learning environment for children. Faith Shabangu, Wordworks Early Literacy Specialist, was present at the graduation ceremony. She expressed that, “ECDs teachers are now capable and supported through the training we provided. If you thoroughly train practitioners in their specific context and provide sufficient support, they are empowered to respond effectively and offer valuable support in the classroom.”