SEEDS of Learning Professional Learning Framework

For Adults Who Teach and Care for Young Children

SEEDS of Learning™ is a professional learning framework that uses a unique combination of professional learning sessions, coaching, and professional learning communities to empower adults with the knowledge to develop oral language, emergent literacy, social skills, and self regulation skills in all three- to five-year-olds, setting them up for success in kindergarten and beyond.

The SEEDS of Learning Professional Learning Framework is highly replicable, effectively supports any early childhood program, and is easily implemented by educators, tutors, caregivers, site leaders, and coaches.

Educator Training That Ensures Early Literacy Success for Children

With SEEDS of Learning, participating educators engage in professional learning in the “Big Five” early literacy skills—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—and receive the resources necessary to effectively embed literacy-learning strategies into playful activities that naturally occur throughout the day.

A Relationship-Based Framework

Quality connections with adults are the foundation for child growth and development.

The SEEDS of Learning Professional Learning Framework helps educators embed sensitive, responsive relationships in every interaction. By emphasizing quality relationships as the basis for learning, educators can accelerate child development, foster positive mindsets, and strengthen communities.

Sensitivity

Adults look, listen, and ask questions to become aware of children’s needs, thoughts, abilities, and feelings.

Encouragement

Adults use intentional affirmations and positive non-verbal communication to create a shared positive learning environment.

Education

Adults embed the “Big 5” early literacy skills into daily routine.

Development through Doing

Adults help children explore their world through hands-on learning.

Self-Image

Adults provide a balance of the four elements, which help children feel lovable, respected, and capable.

The SEEDS of Learning Approach to Teaching Educators

Flexible Learning Options

Educator professional learning is available in three flexible options—educator certification course, in-person sessions, and virtual sessions—designed to meet the varying needs of adult learning communities. These options are appropriate for direct services (educators, tutors, caregivers) and lead services (site leaders, coaches).

• Educator Certification Course
• In-Person Sessions
• Virtual Sessions

Additional Professional Learning Add-Ons

• One year of one-on-one, asynchronous virtual coaching with Collaborative Coach. We recommend that SEEDS of Learning participants partner with a Collaborative Coach while completing their professional learning to ensure the professional learning framework is integrated into daily routines and that they become comfortable using resources to analyze data and make informed decisions about student growth.
  
• Virtual Follow-Up Sessions. These live virtual sessions are strategically planned to expand on the SEEDS of Learning Professional Learning Framework and focus on data-driven instructional decision-making with leaders and educators.

SEEDS of Learning Certification Courses

The SEEDS of Learning Professional Learning Framework can be scaled through certification courses that ensure it is implemented accurately, confidently, and with fidelity.

• SEEDS of Learning Educator Certification Course (September 2025)
• SEEDS of Learning Trainer Certification Course (January 2026)

Evidence-Based and Rigorously Researched

The SEEDS of Learning Professional Learning Framework aligns with the research on child development, the brain, and the science of reading and is proven through randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies to deliver outcomes for adult and children.

A 2017–2021 randomized control trial conducted by NORC At The University Of Chicago determined that a single year of SEEDS of Learning learning for adults has resulted in between two and 3.5 months of additional foundational literacy skills for participating children, including multilingual learners.

Aligned with SIPPS for Grade K and Beyond

The SEEDS of Learning Professional Learning Framework and the evidence-based SIPPS® foundational skills program align and complement each other. Together they support educators and prepare the children in their care to thrive.

These proven, effective resources develop educator knowledge and ensure children build a solid foundation in literacy skills for a lifetime of reading achievement.

SEEDS of Learning is a comprehensive, effective early language and literacy framework that has dramatically increased the language skills of the children we serve in Pre–K.

Scott Moore, Kidango CEO

We base everything we do in SEEDS of Learning. It allows us to ground our work in building relationships, while also improving the skills necessary for success in kindergarten.

Rebecca Pride, Early Literacy Coach, The Literacy Lab

SEEDS of Learning and SIPPS provide the support our teachers and tutors need for ease of instruction, ensuring a smooth transition from Pre-K/Transitional Kindergarten to the powerful and evidence-based structured literacy learning of SIPPS in grades K–2 and beyond.

Romy Trigg-Smith, Director of Early Literacy, PreK–2, Oakland USD, CA