Step Up AT for Early Literacy

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Step Up AT for Early Literacy Step Up AT is a training resource to promote evidenced-based assistive technology practices to improve early literacy outcomes for preschool children.

10/23/2026

Who says a single-message communication device can only do one thing?

Watch Mario using a Big Button during story time! He's joining in with the repeated line from Brown Bear, Brown Bear, but in other reading activities, he uses that same device to ask someone to turn the page or tell us what he likes.

It's a nice example of how one simple device can support several different reasons for communicating. We sometimes get so focused on helping children request things that we forget about all the other things they might want to say!

And really, isn't sharing your opinion about a book half the fun of reading it together?

10/20/2026

That assistive technology device looks promising. But will it work for your student, in your classroom, during your daily routines?

There's a way to find out!

Through our partnership with FAAST, Inc., Step Up AT connects Florida educators and families with resources to explore and borrow AT devices before making a purchase.

From communication devices to switches and other supports, borrowing gives teams a chance to try different options, make adjustments, and discover what works.

Take a peek at our lending library video, then visit the Step Up AT website to explore the resources available.

10/15/2026

The device worked great in training. Then Monday happened.

Back in the classroom, there are routines to manage, children to support, and approximately 47 things happening at once.

So how does that new AT strategy you just learned become part of the day?

That's where coaching comes in.

At Step Up AT, professional development doesn't end when the training session is over. Coaches and teachers work together to figure out what makes sense for their students, try strategies during everyday activities, and make adjustments along the way.

Sometimes it's changing where a communication device is positioned. Maybe it's finding a better opportunity to model a message. Could be simply asking, "What worked? What should we try differently?"

Training introduces the possibilities. Coaching helps turn them into practice. Check out our Coaching playlist for more ways to support AT use consistently throughout the school year!

Employment may be the future, but expectations start early.October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a ...
10/12/2026

Employment may be the future, but expectations start early.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and recognize the importance of access to meaningful employment.

You may be thinking, “What does this have to do with preschool?”

When a child uses AAC to make a choice, an adapted tool to participate in an activity, or a visual support to navigate a classroom routine, we are supporting a learning experience on the surface. But even more than that, we're helping create environments where children can develop skills and discover what they're capable of doing.

Step Up AT believes access and opportunity needs to be part of learning from the very beginning. We don't know what today's preschoolers will grow up to do. But we can make sure they have opportunities to explore what they can do today.

10/06/2026

Communication doesn't belong to one discipline. An SLP may bring specialized knowledge about AAC, but a teacher knows the rhythms, routines, and countless little communication opportunities that happen in the classroom every day.

Put those two kinds of expertise together, and something important happens.

It can show up when a child wants another turn. When something is funny. When it's time to stop. When a friend has the toy they want. During snack, centers, stories, transitions, and play.

That's what we ultimately want to see: a therapist and teacher building a shared approach to supporting communication in the classroom.

Communication happens all day. AAC should be there for it.

October is AAC Awareness Month, and we're celebrating the teams who help make communication possible all day long.

10/01/2026

When a young child moves from Part C early intervention to Part B preschool services, the people supporting that child change, too.

New team. New routines. New environment.

And when assistive technology and accessible educational materials (AEM) are part of how a child communicates and learns, simply sending the tool along isn't enough. The knowledge has to travel with it. That's one reason coaching matters.

In this clip from our Essential Strategies coaching video, you're seeing more than teachers learning to use AT. You're seeing capacity being built around a child so effective strategies don't live with just one therapist, teacher, or classroom.

Successful transitions must include preparing the people who will meet them there. To see more essential strategies you can use to support the preschool team, check out the rest of this video on our YT channel!

Before adding a new tool in your classroom, take another look at the environment. Notice where the support is placed in ...
09/28/2026

Before adding a new tool in your classroom, take another look at the environment. Notice where the support is placed in this classroom.

It's not off to the side waiting for someone to need it. It's where the learning and interaction are happening.

Sometimes the first question isn't, "What else could we add?" It's, "Could we make better use of what we already have?" Proximity could make all of the difference!

Two children may have difficulty participating during story time for completely different reasons. For one child, a digi...
09/22/2026

Two children may have difficulty participating during story time for completely different reasons. For one child, a digital book might provide another way to access and engage with the story. For another, an AAC device might provide a way to comment, choose, predict, or react.

So...which one is better? Neither until we know what's getting in the way of participation.

That's why choosing AT starts with the learner, the environment, and the task...not the tool.

And if you've used either of these during story time, we'd love to hear how you did it!

09/17/2026

Football season has us watching a little game film of our own.

This week's play to watch: adult modeling.

It's snack time, and Fernando uses the word “stop” on his iTalk2 to let others know when he doesn't want any more.

Watch Ms. Gaby.

She positions the iTalk2, gently gets Fernando's attention, explains what “stop” means in that moment, and presses the button herself to model it.

Notice what she doesn't do: ask Fernando to repeat it or turn the moment into a test.

She's showing him how his AAC can communicate something meaningful: I've had enough. I don't want more. Stop.

That's adult modeling in action.

Run it back. What do you notice?

09/14/2026

Who benefits from assistive technology?

Sometimes a support is introduced because one child needs it. Then something interesting happens: other children start using it, too.

Visual supports can make directions clearer. Adapted literacy materials can give children different ways to interact with letters and books. Technology can offer another way to practice, respond, or show what you know.

Watch this short clip and notice how literacy supports are part of the learning environment and not something set aside for one child.

A support can be necessary for one learner and useful for many, and that's worth remembering the next time you spot AT in a classroom.

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1601 NW 12th Avenue
Miami, FL
33136

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