SLECEDWLS - Winter Early Literacy Summit
Join Rice University's School Literacy and Culture for our 26th annual Winter Early Literacy Summit. This one-day event offers practical, research-based ideas for creating engaging, developmentally appropriate experiences to nurture young readers and writers.
At this year’s Summit, early childhood educators will come together to explore how research-based, developmentally appropriate practices can help the whole child flourish across all developmental domains. Through inspiring featured sessions and hands-on breakouts, participants will not only discover how to pair intentional instruction with playful learning but will also gain tangible strategies for their classrooms. We'll delve into fostering rich teacher–child relationships built on trust and respect and explore how to create dynamic classroom environments where creativity, higher-order thinking, and a profound sense of belonging are not just encouraged, but actively cultivated. You'll walk away with an abundance of practical, ready-to-use strategies to transform your classroom and inspire your students.
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Check-in from 8:30 a.m.- 9 a.m.
Registration opens October 3 and ends January 20. Priority registration ends December 12.
Location: Rice University, Anderson-Clarke Center
Audience: Teachers and administrators of 2 years old 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 3 and ends January 20
A group discount is available for 4 or more participants from the same school.
Priority Registration ends December 12. Cost: $159 per person, Group of 4 or more, $149 per person
Regular Registration is $169 per person, Group of 4 or more, $159 per person.
If you are a school or school district and you want to register 1 or more participants, please complete the Group Registration form.
Note: When completing the group registration form, you will be asked to upload a spreadsheet containing information for each participant. The spreadsheet should have columns for the following:
• Last Name
• First Name
• Email Address
• Grade or age of students
• Position or Title
• Instructional makeup of the participant’s class: (ESL, Dual Language, Bilingual, Inclusion, Regular, Special Education)
• How many years of experience in early childhood education do you have?
• School Name
• Lunch Preference: Salad-Vegetarian, Salad-with Protein, Sandwich-Vegetarian, Sandwich-with Protein
For questions about registration, please contact Carol Hernandez at slc@rice.edu or 713-348-5333.
Tuesday, January 20 will be the last day to submit a request to substitute a different educator or administrator for the original registrant. Substitution requests must be made by the deadline and in writing to slc@rice.edu.
Due to the high demand for this event, Monday, January 12 is the deadline to request a refund. No refunds will be given after this date and credits will not be given for future programs or events. Refund requests must be made by the deadline and 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.
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.