- Grounded in Research and Evidence-Based Practices: The SEEDS Framework is based on the science of reading and is an evidence-based program. A randomized control trial study found that one year of SEEDS training for educators led to statistically significant positive changes in both educator knowledge and children’s early reading skills, with gains of up to 8 months of additional learning. This scientific grounding ensures that the practices recommended are effective and align with the latest understanding of how children learn to read.
- Adherence to Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP): SEEDS strategies are grounded in developmentally appropriate practices that promote children’s development and learning through a play-based, strengths-based approach. This includes focusing on learning that is both embedded (natural during play and informal interactions) and explicit (planned, educator-directed activities). Educators engaging in developmentally appropriate practice, as emphasized by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), take responsibility for forming and maintaining strong, reciprocal relationships with families and communities.
- Comprehensive Child Development Focus: The framework helps adults create nurturing environments that support children’s healthy development and build a sturdy foundation for their kindergarten experiences and beyond.
- Inclusivity and Equity for All Children: The SEEDS approach is committed to honoring culture and supporting language development by ensuring equitable classroom climates in which children’s languages, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences are celebrated as strengths. This includes creating physical environments that represent children’s home languages and cultures and adopting an “amplify, don't simplify” approach to instruction for multilingual children, providing high challenge, high support rather than reducing content. Multilingual children are viewed from a strengths-based perspective, recognizing their valuable cultural, linguistic, and lived experiences.
- Holistic Learning Process: The SEEDS Framework treats all participants, adults and children alike, as learners, recognizing that learning and applying new skills is a process. This process involves moving from emergent to developing to fluent stages, supported by practice and patience.
- Use of Formative and Summative Assessments: SEEDS educators use both formative and summative assessments to monitor children’s progress and inform instruction, ensuring that support is targeted to individual needs and aligned with expected learning gains.
In essence, SEEDS of Learning provides a comprehensive, research-backed framework that not only promotes early literacy and social development but also actively integrates principles of high-quality, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate care that are central to state and national early childhood education standards.