In the early years of a child’s life, building literacy skills is critical for long-term success. We sat down with Dr. Angela M. Wiseman, Associate Professor of Literacy Education at North Carolina State University, to discuss the importance of early literacy and how Hatch Early Learning’s Ignite by Hatch™ platform is designed to support children’s literacy development.
The Importance of Early Literacy
The first 5 years of a child’s life are especially crucial for cognitive growth, and the literacy skills developed during this time are essential for future academic achievement. Dr. Wiseman reiterates that early literacy plays a foundational role in a child’s overall development. “Children's experiences with literacy provide opportunities to develop a passion for language, reading, and writing,” she explains.
Ignite, Hatch Early Learning’s digital platform, aligns with these developmental needs by offering engaging, fun activities that help build foundational skills. “Children love to play games, and these games are developmentally appropriate and engaging!” says Wiseman. The platform motivates children through play, ensuring that learning is not only effective but also enjoyable.
Multimodal and Multisensory Learning
One of the standout features of Ignite is its multimodal and multisensory approach to literacy. Dr. Wiseman points out that this method of teaching enhances literacy development in ways that traditional methods often cannot. “Children learn through various approaches, including rhyming games, songs, and strong visual components,” she shares. Ignite integrates auditory, visual, and kinesthetic elements, making learning more engaging and hands-on.
Additionally, Ignite provides immediate feedback to children, allowing them to learn and progress at their own pace. This ability to adjust the difficulty based on individual progress ensures that children are consistently challenged but never overwhelmed. The repetition of skills through diverse approaches—such as games, activities, and stories—further reinforces learning, making it accessible to children with diverse abilities and needs.
Empowering Educators and Families
Dr. Wiseman emphasizes that educators and families should understand the importance of early literacy and how technology like Ignite can be a valuable tool in reinforcing these skills. “The best way to build skills and engagement is through fun activities,” she says. “Technology can play an important role in building early literacy skills for even young children because it gives them the opportunity to practice and reinforce important connections related to oral and written language.”
The Science of Reading in Action
Ignite’s literacy curriculum is grounded in the principles of the science of reading, a research-backed approach that emphasizes systematic, explicit instruction in essential reading skills. Dr. Wiseman explains that “Ignite focuses on receptive vocabulary, letter knowledge, phoneme–grapheme correspondence, listening comprehension, and word reading.” A key component of Ignite is its focus on phonological awareness, which research shows is critical for early reading success.
Motivating Young Learners
One of Ignite’s strengths is its ability to motivate children through scaffolded learning experiences. “Ignite is so positive and celebrates children's accomplishments,” says Wiseman. By creating a fun and encouraging environment, the platform fosters a love of learning that keeps children engaged in reading and writing activities.
Advice for Educators
For teachers using Ignite in their classrooms, Dr. Wiseman recommends taking full advantage of its literacy components to support young learners. “Ignite offers a strong foundation for literacy skills that connects with other important learning activities, such as reading books aloud, singing songs, writing, and storytelling,” she says. Educators can use the platform to reinforce concepts, provide individual practice, and engage students in fun and interactive learning experiences. Additionally, the assessment component allows for differentiated instruction, ensuring that each child receives the support they need to thrive.
Hatch Early Learning’s Ignite platform is a powerful tool for building early literacy skills in developmentally appropriate, research-based ways. Through engaging, multimodal activities and immediate feedback, Ignite creates a joyful learning experience that lays the groundwork for future reading success.
