Oh, Yes They Can! Building Ownership of Learning through the Gradual Release of Responsibility in Early Childhood Class

Are you doing too much of the work in your classroom—or not quite enough?

In early childhood settings, it’s easy to fall into the trap of low expectations or over-intervening, leaving little room for children to build independence. This one-hour professional development session offers a fresh look at the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) model as a powerful way to foster active learning and support growing autonomy. Through clear, engaging instruction across the three key phases—I Do, We Do, You Do—educators

will learn how to strike the perfect balance. Discover how to model thinking through intentional “think alouds,” design rich opportunities for guided

practice in pairs and small groups, and transform independent work into meaningful reflection and formative assessment. Walk away with practical

tools that help young learners take the lead—one developmentally appropriate step at a time.