SLECEDWLS - Winter Early Literacy Summit
Join Rice University's School Literacy and Culture for our annual Winter Early Literacy Summit. This full day professional learning experience brings together early childhood educators to explore research informed, developmentally appropriate practices that support the whole child. Participants will leave with practical ideas and evidence based strategies to confidently bridge research with intentional practice in their own classrooms
Grounded in current research and designed to bridge research with intentional classroom practice, Rice University's School Literacy and Culture's Winter Early Literacy Summit convenes early childhood educators and instructional leaders to explore evidence-based approaches that support young learners.
Through insightful featured presentations and interactive breakout sessions, participants will discover how developmentally appropriate practices foster rich teacher child relationships, create engaging learning environments, and support children's cognitive, social, emotional, and academic development. Participants will explore how intentional teaching and playful learning nurture children's curiosity, creativity, communication, critical thinking, and sense of belonging, all while gaining practical strategies and classroom applications they can implement immediately.
Whether you are a classroom teacher, instructional coach, campus leader, or district leader, you will leave with practical resources, research informed strategies, and renewed inspiration to create engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that help every child thrive.
Date: Saturday, January 23, 2027
Time: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Check-in from 8:30 a.m.- 9 a.m.
Location: Rice University, Anderson-Clarke Center
Audience: Teachers and administrators of Infants to First Grade
PD Hours: 6 hours
If you are a school or school district and you want to register 1 or more participants, please see the instructions in the Fees and Registration section.
Course Details
Registration opens: October 2, 2026 and ends on January 20, 2027
Priority registration ends: December 11, 2026
Priority registration: $159 per person, Groups of 4 or more, $149 per person
Regular registration: $169 per person, Groups of 4 or more, $159 per person
Group discount available for 4 or more participants from the same school. For schools or school districts who want to register one or more attendees, please email School Literacy & Culture at slc@rice.edu.
Note: When completing the group registration form, you will be asked to share the following information for each participant.
- Last Name
- First Name
- Email Address
- Grade/age taught
- Position or Title
- Instructional makeup of the participant’s class (ESL, Dual Language, Bilingual, Inclusion, Regular, Special Ed)
- Name of the School
Tuesday, January 19, 2027 will be the last day to submit a request to substitute a different teacher or administrator for the original participant. Substitution requests must be made in writing to slc@rice.edu.
Due to the high demand for this event, Monday, January 11, 2027 is the deadline to request a refund. Refund requests must be made in writing to slc@rice.edu. A 10 percent processing fee will be deducted from all refunds. We cannot issue reimbursements or credits for any health-related absences
Questions? Please contact School Literacy & Culture at slc@rice.edu or 713-348-5333.
The summit will be held in the Anderson-Clarke Center which is building number 74 on the campus map. The best campus entrance to use is number 8, which is located at the intersection of University Boulevard and Stockton Drive. Parking will be complimentary. A detailed information email will be sent to each registrant a few days before the summit.
A complimentary lunch including a vegetarian option will be provided. If you have dietary restrictions, please bring your lunch.
Vending machines with snacks and drinks are available.