January Masterclass
January Masterclass
Beyond The Reading Wars: Reclaiming Meaning, Engagement, and Balance in Early Literacy
A masterclass for early childhood educators seeking a balanced, evidence-informed approach to teaching reading and writing without losing meaning or motivation.
when
8:30 AM UTC
31st January, 2026
LIve Online
Dr. Jo Fahey
LIve Online
Dr. Jo Fahey
WHAT
Join Dr. Jo Fahey in this masterclass to gain insights into how systematic phonics teaching can be combined with other components to create a balanced approach to teaching reading and writing.
Are you:
Struggling to find balance between mandated phonics instruction and rich, engaging literacy experiences that children genuinely connect with?
Concerned that phonics instruction dominates the day while storytelling, play, and authentic language experiences are pushed aside?
Noticing children appear disengaged, their eyes wander, and their bodies are restless, and you're left wondering what that’s telling you about the literacy approach?
Are you:
Struggling to find balance between mandated phonics instruction and rich, engaging literacy experiences children genuinely connect with?
Concerned that Structured Literacy dominates the day while storytelling, play, and authentic language experiences are pushed aside?
Noticing children appear disengaged, their eyes wander and their little bodies are restless and you're left wondering what that’s telling you about your literacy approach?
Join us to discover:
Why separating reading from meaningful contexts undermines children’s growth as readers and writers
How examining a wider body of research helps counter the justification used for one-sided literacy methodologies
Why learning to read and learning to write are deeply interconnected and should not be taught in isolation
Why disengagement is a signal to rethink pedagogy
Join us to discover:
Why relying on narrow interpretations of “what works” limits literacy practice, and what the broader evidence-based research actually tells us.
How examining a wider body of research helps counter the justification used for one-sided literacy methodologies
Why learning to read and learning to write are deeply interconnected and should not be taught in isolation
Why disengagement is a signal to rethink pedagogy
Meet your Presenter
Dr. Jo Fahey
Dr. Jo Fahey has over 35 years of experience as a teacher, researcher, curriculum writer, and professional learning leader around the world. Her work spans early childhood settings, schools, universities, and large-scale professional learning.
A former curriculum developer for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Jo’s doctoral research led to the publication of Ways to Learn Through Inquiry: Guiding Children to Deeper Understanding (IB, 2012).
Dr. Jo Fahey is deeply committed to upholding children’s rights to learn in ways that honour their development in the early years. A strong advocate for play-based learning, Jo believes that children learn most powerfully when literacy is embedded in meaningful, engaging, and playful experiences.
She understands the significant pressure many early childhood educators face to teach reading and writing in highly prescriptive ways, often in conflict with their professional beliefs, values, and instincts.
Jo advocates for a balanced middle ground, drawing on research and practice, she challenges the current overemphasis on decontextualised phonics. She highlights how such approaches can be detrimental for many children when disconnected from meaning, context, and authentic literacy experiences.
Meet your Presenter
Jo Fahey
Dr Jo Fahey has over 35 years’ experience as a teacher, researcher, curriculum writer, and professional learning leader around the world. Her work spans early childhood settings, schools, universities, and large-scale professional learning.
A former curriculum developer for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Jo’s doctoral research led to the publication of Ways to Learn Through Inquiry: Guiding Children to Deeper Understanding (IB, 2012).
Dr Jo Fahey is deeply committed to upholding children’s rights to learn in ways that honour their development in the early years. A strong advocate for play-based learning, Jo believes that children learn most powerfully when literacy is embedded in meaningful, engaging, and playful experiences.
She understands the significant pressure many early childhood educators face to teach reading and writing in highly prescriptive ways, often in conflict with their professional beliefs, values, and instincts.
Jo advocates for a balanced middle ground, drawing on research and practice, she challenges the current overemphasis on decontextualised phonics. She highlights how such approaches can be detrimental for many children when disconnected from meaning, context, and authentic literacy experiences.
Reclaim balance.
Reclaim meaning.
Reclaim professional confidence.
Children deserve learning experiences that are systematic yet flexible, structured yet meaningful, and grounded in evidence.
This masterclass will help you find the middle ground, one that supports strong literacy outcomes as well as nurturing children’s motivation, agency, and love of learning.
Transforming education starts with you.