Nellie Edge is a kindergarten teacher researcher, literacy coach, nationally recognized early literacy trainer, storyteller, musician, and recording artist. While teaching in a bilingual kindergarten in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she discovered the power of developing language and literacy skills through traditional Spanish and English folk songs. Her desire to make learning to read successful and joyful for all children led to the publication of her Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big Books™, with Parents as Partners and Brain-Friendly Literacy™ guides. Nellie Edge's commitment to children’s literacy is evident in her Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy website.

A recipient of the IRA Reading Excellence Through the Arts award, Nellie Edge is a proponent of using sign language and all of the arts to enhance early literacy skills. She is the founder of the Northwest Coalition for Excellence in Kindergarten Literacy and a strong advocate for developing training and support systems for teachers that demonstrate exemplary practices and honor the rightful needs of childhood.

Nellie Edge is the author of numerous poetry anthologies, early childhood texts, teaching videos, audio recordings, and Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy resource books. Her resource materials and training provide a vision of optimal literacy instruction within a joyful community of learners. She skillfully articulates scientifically-based research and wisdom of practice with multisensory, emotionally engaging strategies that accelerate literacy skills while keeping the love of language alive. Nellie Edge literacy resources, seminars and keynote presentations have inspired thousands of educators throughout the country to accelerate language and literacy by taking advantage of how the brain learns best.

Kindergarten is for Language

"It is the familiarity with the English language that allows a child to develop phonemic awareness, build comprehension and extend vocabulary. It is the familiarity with the English language that allows a child’s decoding to be error free and reading to be fluent. Oral language is the vital foundation that allows us to "Put Reading First” and develop ambitious, thoughtful readers and writers. We teach most powerfully when we celebrate language, involve parents, and honor childhood."
Nellie Edge

Defining Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy
My Kindergarten Teaching Philosophy
The SMILE Approach to Accelerated Literacy