Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential

The Lastinger Learning Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential provides accessible, on-demand professional learning at no cost for Florida birth through pre-kindergarten early child care personnel.

Learners can work at their own pace while implementing classroom strategies in real time, receiving feedback and support from an instructor.

Micro-Credential Overview

The Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential is a three-part hybrid model of online modules, instructor-supported online courses, and job-embedded practicum that can be completed in 15 weeks. The courses and activities prepare educators and child care providers to:

Support student outcomes for school readiness

Apply evidence-based practices

Engage in effective progress monitoring and intervention

Benefits

Possible completion stipend for *eligible early child care personnel and early learning instructional staff

Build emergent literacy knowledge and skills with high-quality content

Earn 60 inservice hours/6.0 CEUs

Supports language and literacy requirements for the CDA professional portfolio

Satisfies the 40-hour reading requirement for renewal for certified Florida educators if completed after October 21, 2024

How to Enroll

Applications are open! Apply by August 1.

Applications may close early if capacity is reached.

Apply now!

Stipend Information

Please visit the Stipends Hub for information about the 2024-25 stipends.

Visit Stipends Hub

Partner with Us

Interested in bringing the Micro-Credentials to your organization? Contact our Language and Literacy Partnerships Manager to start the conversation.

Eligible Participants

This program is available to birth through pre-k early child care personnel (public or private), including but not limited to:

Teachers

Program directors

Interventionists

Instructional coaches

Head Start personnel

Timeline

The Micro-Credential is designed to span 15 weeks of coursework, with a one-week break scheduled separately.

Applications open July 14, 2025.

Term	Application Open Date	Application Close Date	Term Duration
Fall A 2025	7/14/25	8/1/25	8/18/25 — 12/9/25
Fall B 2025	9/1/25	9/19/25	10/6/25 — 2/17/26
Spring 2026	12/8/25	12/19/25	2/2/26 — 5/26/26

Fall A 2025

Application opens on 7/14/25

Application closes on 8/1/25

Term duration is 8/18/25 — 12/9/25

Fall B 2025

Application opens on 9/1/25

Application closes on 9/19/25

Term duration is 10/6/25 — 2/17/26

Spring 2026

Application opens on 12/8/25

Application closes on 2/14/26

Term duration is 2/2/26 — 5/26/26

Modules

Part 1

Format: Asynchronous, online, instructor-supported course

Length: 20 hours

Learners choose one of the following courses to enroll in:

Preschool Language Development

Desarrollo del Lenguaje en Niños Preescolares

The Building Blocks of Preschool Literacy

Language Development for Infants and Toddlers

Learners are concurrently enrolled in a Part 1 and Part 2 course and have a total of 9 weeks to complete both courses.

*Part 1, Desarrollo del Lenguaje en Ninos Preescolares, is the only course that is available in Spanish. All other Part 1 courses, as well as Parts 2 and 3, are in English. All assessments and assignments must be completed in English.

**If a learner has already earned mastery in one of these courses after 2018, they will enroll directly into Part 2.

Part 2

Format: Asynchronous, online course

Length: 20 hours

Learners will work through the following emergency literacy modules:

Oral Language and Shared Storybook Reading

Alphabet Knowledge and Print Awareness

Phonological Awareness

Emergent Reading and Writing

Learners are concurrently enrolled in a Part 1 and Part 2 course and have a total of 9 weeks to complete both courses.

*Learners have the option to test out of Part 2 via a pre-assessment.

Part 3

Format: Asynchronous, online, instructor-supported, job-embedded practicum

Length: 20 hours

Learners will apply the strategies from Parts 1 and 2 real-time in their classrooms while receiving personalized feedback from instructors. The practicum activities are designed to be added to a CDA portfolio.

Weekly assignment submissions are expected for completion of the course.

Expected completion time is up to 5 weeks.

Connect With Us

Fill out our Program Interest Form to stay up to date on Lastinger Learning course offerings, or contact us to bring Lastinger Learning programs to your district or organization.

Program Interest Form