Sarah Scrivens on Early Literacy

Early literacy expert Sarah Scrivens reveals how tummy time connects to reading skills and shares practical play-based strategies for literacy.
· August 15, 2025

Sarah Scrivens has over 15 years of diverse experience, as an early childhood consultant, preschool director, classroom teacher, mentor and coach. For the past several years, Sarah has provided educators with professional development and instructional coaching through her Building Brains courses.  Sarah is passionate about spreading the importance of early childhood education.  And she is also a proud mummy to 2 young children!

Discover how Early Literacy truly begins in infancy as Sarah shares practical insights into the developmental stages of reading and writing from sensory motor exploration through to conventional spelling.

In this episode you’ll:

  • Understand why tummy time and gross motor development are essential foundations for later reading and writing skills
  • Discover the six developmental stages of early literacy, from scribbling to conventional writing, with real examples
  • Learn how to embed writing naturally into play scenarios like setting up an automotive shop or creating nature journals
  • Find out why labeling your environment correctly (word first, then picture) supports both reading and English language learners
  • Explore authentic alternatives to worksheets that genuinely develop fine motor skills whilst building literacy connections

Watch this episode to discover how everyday experiences like making shopping lists and reading bedtime stories can become powerful literacy learning opportunities that children actually enjoy.

Episode Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-scrivens-05bba487

https://www.facebook.com/buildingbrainsconsulting

https://www.instagram.com/buildingbrainsconsulting

https://twitter.com/PKSarahScrivens

Free training for PVIs in Texas application details can be found here:

https://www.numindsenrichment.com/prekfund

https://childrenslearninginstitute.org/resources/itelg

TX 3-5 Year Old Guidelines

CLI Classroom Environment Checklist

https://challengingbehavior.org/resources

Texas Pre-K Guidelines: Developmental Stages of Writing

You can find Sarah’s previous Early Years TV session on a Positive Preschool Learning Environment here:

https://www.earlyyears.tv/episode/sarah-scrivens-on-promoting-a-positive-preschool-learning-environment/

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