Hi, I’m Kayla! I am the creator of Wild & Precious Learning. I am a former primary teacher turned stay-at-home mom and part-time private reading and math tutor.
Thirteen years ago, as a brand new teacher, I found myself frustrated with the way primary grade curriculums taught reading. I questioned why we spent so much of our time on memorizing sight words and talking about comprehension strategies and so little time on phonics and discovering the meaning of words. Why did every activity need a worksheet to prove learning? Why didn’t we have more toys and manipulatives to ground their learning? Not one to be satisfied with “This is the way it is,” I spent many years researching, attending workshops and trainings, and advocating for research-based early childhood education and reading practices with my supervisors and coworkers. The three big understandings I have gained from this learning are:
- There is a science to teaching reading
- Parental talk to support early language development and vocabulary building is one of the biggest predictors of academic achievement
- Kids learn best by playing
Passionate about these three takeaways, I created Wild & Precious Learning.
Wild & Precious Learning is a place where science, art, and play all come together. It’s a place that melds the system of phonics and grammar with the art of language and vocabulary and the playfulness of young learning. I seek to provide inspiration for ways to playfully instruct your children and ways to plan intentional play activities. I try to offer practical & budget-friendly activities with no judgment, only encouragement. As an educator & parent, I understand the importance of these formative years & hope to be a guiding light for others on this journey.
