Foundations of Early Literacy

Following an extensive career as an early years educator, Ros Bayley became well-known as an early years consultant, trainer and storyteller. Throughout her career she devoted much time to developing children's creativity and imagination through story, puppetry, music, dance and dramatic play, and shared her strategies both nationally and internationally. She also had a passionate interest in the development of early literacy. Ros’s tragically early death in 2012 deprived us all of a great teacher and advocate of young children’s right to play.

Bridie Raban was the Foundation Mooroolbeek Professor of Early Childhood Studies at the University of Melbourne. She is currently an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and in 2021, she was awarded an Honorary University Fellowship by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). Her past research has focused on language and literacy development, teacher change and development, curriculum and assessment for the early childhood years and quality provision. She was the first Professor of Early Childhood Education in Victoria and the second in Australia, and before this she was Professor of Primary Education (Early Years) at the University of Warwick and President of the UK Reading Association.

Sue Palmer, a former primary principal, has written more than 200 books and educational television programs on aspects of literacy and acted as a literacy consultant. Research for her books on child development in the modern world (Toxic Childhood, Detoxing Childhood, 21st Century Boys and 21st Century Girls), led to a profound interest in the significance of play in children’s learning, and collaboration with Ros Bayley on the Foundations of Literacy project. She lives in Scotland, where she is currently a member of the Scottish government’s Early Years Task Force.