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Early Language & Literacy

Children develop into skilled communicators and strong readers when provided with developmentally appropriate interactions, experiences, and environments in the early years. CCR&R'S Early Language & Literacy Coaches provide assistance, training, and materials on various language and literacy topics. Our Early Language & Literacy team focuses on supporting language-rich interactions, experiences, and environments in the earliest years of life.

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Early Language & Literacy Resources

Explore tools, training opportunities, guides, and resources designed to support child care programs in building strong, sustainable businesses.

Book Activity Sheets (Family and Child Care Professionals)
Tip Sheets (Family and Child Care Professionals)
LENA Grow: Early Childhood Professional Development
DECA: Center for Resilient Children
GELF: Governor's Early Literacy Foundation
TRRC: Tennessee Reading Research Center

Grow Your Expertise

Early Language & Literacy Specialization

The Early Language & Literacy (ELL) Specialization helps child care professionals strengthen communication, literacy, and social-emotional development through individualized coaching and evidence-based practices. Throughout the program year, participants engage in three core components—LENA Grow, Learning Language & Loving It™, and DECA—to build practical skills that support children's growth and create language-rich learning environments.

Applications for the next cohort open July 13, 2026.

LENA Grow™

LENA Grow™ helps child care professionals strengthen responsive interactions and increase meaningful conversations with children.

Through coaching, reflection, and practical strategies, participants create language-rich environments that support communication and early brain development.

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DECA

DECA helps child care professionals strengthen children's social and emotional development through observation, reflection, and intentional support. Participants learn strategies that build resilience, positive relationships, and protective factors that support lifelong success.

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Learning Language & Loving It™

Learning Language & Loving It™ helps child care professionals build children's language skills through everyday interactions and routines.

Participants learn practical strategies to encourage conversation, expand vocabulary, and create meaningful opportunities for communication throughout the day.

Early Language & Literacy Coaches

The TN CCR&R Early Language & Literacy Team partners with child care professionals to strengthen language and literacy development for young children. Through individualized coaching, professional development, and practical resources, coaches help programs build meaningful interactions, support family engagement, and implement strategies that promote communication, emergent literacy, and school readiness.

Early Language & Literacy

Coordinator

Regina Henning

Regina_Henning

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Assistant Coordinator

Maranda Hughes

maranda_hughes

signalcenters.org

Katie Denton-Walls

Katie_Dentonwalls

signalcenters.org

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Person

Amy Metcalfe

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves East Counties

amy_metcalfe

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

East

Person

Ashley Richardson

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves West Counties

ashley_richardson

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

West

Person

Candice Bates

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves West Counties

candice_bates

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

West

Person

Cara Esters

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves Mid Cumberland Counties

cara_esters

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

Mid Cumberland

Person

Courtney Taylor

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves Southeast Counties

courtney_taylor

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

Southeast

Person

Danielle Alley

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves Southeast Counties

danielle_alley

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

Southeast

Person

Jaleesa Toney

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves Shelby County

Jaleesa_Toney

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

Shelby County

Person

Jessica Henson

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves South Central Counties

jessica_henson

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

South Central

Person

Jessica Waldron

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves Upper Cumberland Counties

Jessica_Waldron

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

Upper Cumberland

Person

LaTia Washington

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves Central Counties

LaTia_Washington

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

Central

Person

Marie Olowoyo

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves Mid Cumberland Counties

marie_olowoyo

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

Mid Cumberland

Person

Tamera Fleming

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves Shelby County

tamera_fleming

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

Shelby County

Person

Yeannelle Thome

Early Language & Literacy Coach

Serves Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, and Upper East counties

yeannelle_thome

signalcenters.org

Early Language & Literacy

Early Language & Literacy

Upper East

East

Free TN CCR&R Resources

The Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Network has designed free, downloadable resources to support learning and development in a variety of ways. From lesson plans to parenting tips to program management tools, there's something here for everyone. Feel free to explore and make the most of these valuable resources!

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Family & Group Child Care

CCR&R Family & Group Child Care Quality Coaches work with family and group licensed providers and support opportunities with licensing by building relationships through coaching, peer-networking, training, and conference opportunities...

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Family & Group Child Care

CCR&R Family & Group Child Care Quality Coaches work with family and group licensed providers and support opportunities with licensing by building relationships through coaching, peer-networking, training, and conference opportunities...

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Infant & Toddler

Our Infant Toddler Quality Coaches are committed to providing invaluable resources and tailored training for educators working with infants and toddlers...

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Infant & Toddler

Our Infant Toddler Quality Coaches are committed to providing invaluable resources and tailored training for educators working with infants and toddlers...

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Family Engagement

Family Engagement is an intentional relationship-based partnership between families, child care professionals , and their communities. Through the acknowledgement and respect of...

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Family Engagement

Family Engagement is an intentional relationship-based partnership between families, child care professionals , and their communities. Through the acknowledgement and respect of...

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Emergency Preparedness

All licensed child care programs are required to have a written multi-hazard emergency preparedness response plan. CCR&R is here to support in developing a functional and compliant plan by offering coaching, training and resources for emergency preparedness response planning...

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Emergency Preparedness

All licensed child care programs are required to have a written multi-hazard emergency preparedness response plan. CCR&R is here to support in developing a functional and compliant plan by offering coaching, training and resources for emergency preparedness response planning...

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Early Language & Literacy

Language & Literacy is dedicated to provide resources and training for best early literacy practices...

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Early Language & Literacy

Language & Literacy is dedicated to provide resources and training for best early literacy practices...

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Developmental Support

Developmental Support Coaches statewide provide quality practices and accommodations for the early child care professional to ensure that all of the children in their classroom, including those children with disabilities, have access...

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Developmental Support

Developmental Support Coaches statewide provide quality practices and accommodations for the early child care professional to ensure that all of the children in their classroom, including those children with disabilities, have access...

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Health, Safety, & Supervision

Health, Safety, & Supervision Coaches are located throughout the state and promote health practices in early care and education, developmental monitoring and screening information...

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Health, Safety, & Supervision

Health, Safety, & Supervision Coaches are located throughout the state and promote health practices in early care and education, developmental monitoring and screening information...

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Small Business Support

Small Business Support Specialists address basic concepts in the fiscal and operational management of childcare programs...

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Small Business Support

Small Business Support Specialists address basic concepts in the fiscal and operational management of childcare programs...

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Quality Response & Improvement

Quality Response and Improvement Coaches work hand–in–hand with child care professionals in agencies to elevate teacher-child interactions.

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Quality Response & Improvement

Quality Response and Improvement Coaches work hand–in–hand with child care professionals in agencies to elevate teacher-child interactions.

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Awareness & Prevention

Our Coaches teach how to prevent, recognize, and react to child abuse. Featuring Darkness to Light plus Mandated Reporter Training

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Awareness & Prevention

Our Coaches teach how to prevent, recognize, and react to child abuse. Featuring Darkness to Light plus Mandated Reporter Training

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CDA & Accreditation

Our CDAA Coaches support child care professionals through CDA credentialing and program accreditation by providing individualized coaching, technical assistance, and professional development opportunities.

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CDA & Accreditation

Our CDAA Coaches support child care professionals through CDA credentialing and program accreditation by providing individualized coaching, technical assistance, and professional development opportunities.

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