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Language
Children hear rich language, build vocabulary, share ideas, and grow confidence speaking and communicating.
For preschool & home schooled children
A love of books is caught,
not taught.
Small groups – limited to a maximum of 12 – ages 3–6 · $60 per child per month
Learning feels like play
WordPlay surrounds children with warm, playful book experiences that help a lifelong love of reading take root.
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Literacy
Stories, poetry, rhymes, and books help children explore sounds, words, pictures, and early reading foundations.
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Imagination
Movement, rhythm, feelings, and pretend play invite children to participate with curiosity and delight.
Why WordPlay matters
The earliest years are a powerful time for language, connection, and curiosity. When books are linked to warmth, attention, laughter, and shared discovery, children begin to see reading as something they want to return to.
Shared reading supports early language, literacy, cognitive, and social-emotional development. WordPlay brings those meaningful book experiences into your child’s preschool, center, or home school day.
- Rich vocabulary and conversation
- Listening, focus, and sound awareness
- Emotional understanding and empathy
- Confidence, curiosity, and imagination
The science behind shared reading
Watch how joyful book experiences help young minds grow.
A short AI-video concept based on research about shared reading and early childhood development.
What you may notice in six months
Every child develops at their own pace. WordPlay creates joyful, repeated opportunities for growth, discovery, and confidence.
- More interest in stories and poetry
- Curiosity about different books
- Greater awareness of people and the world
- More words for feelings and emotions
- Growing ability to regulate emotions
- Confidence playing with verbal and non-verbal sounds
- Stronger imaginative play
- Eager anticipation when books are offered
- More confidence speaking and communicating
- An expanding vocabulary
- Longer focus and listening time
Program details
WordPlay is offered through participating preschools and centers, and to home schooled children, in Mandarin and St. Johns, Jacksonville.
Where
Preschools and centers in Mandarin and St. Johns — and home school groups too.
When
One class a week for 30 minutes of fun and laughter.
- Mondays2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
4:00 – 4:30 p.m. - Wednesdays10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - Thursdays10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Who
Children ages 3–6, in groups of no more than 12.
Space is Strictly Limited.
Sign up is on a first come, first served basis.
Parents are welcome as participants!
Meet your teacher
Who is Sue Hepker?
Sue Hepker has spent a career bringing books to young children — in South Africa, in Chicago, and now in the St. Johns neighborhood of Jacksonville. In small groups, with real books, songs, poems, and a bear puppet named Benji.
Award-winning
Won the international IBBY–Asahi Reading Promotion Award for The Little Library, a picture-book curriculum now translated into 18 African languages.
Published author
Author of several children’s books. Her 2016 poetry collection Do It Again! is the basis of the WordPlay program.
Program leader
Former executive director of two respected Chicago early-literacy programs, Hug-a-Book and the Kohl Story Bus.
Educator of educators
Has trained teachers for the Erikson Institute, National Louis University, Chicago Public Schools, and Head Start centers.
Qualified
Honors degree in English Literature (University of South Africa) and a Teacher’s Licentiate in Speech and Drama (Trinity College, Dublin).
Local
Runs her language and literacy program in several Jacksonville preschools.
“Sue has a natural gift with young children. The way she draws language out of them is something special.”
Kelly Giddens, Owner, Bartram Academy
“Our children adored her. She brought books to life and our families noticed the difference.”
Angela Williams, Director, Peas in a Pod
Ready to join WordPlay?
Tell us about your child and we will be in touch about availability. No payment is due now — we confirm a spot first.
Launch rate$60per child
per month
per month
- One 30-minute session every week — $15 a week
- A group of no more than 12 children
- Books, poems, songs, and Benji Bear included
- This is a discounted introductory rate for our first 60 sign ups
60 of 60 places$60 launch rate applies while places last
Terms & Conditions
- Payment is due monthly, at least 2 days before classes begin. Missed classes are not reimbursed — however, if a class is missed, your child may attend another session that week if there is an available space.
- Classes may be missed without payment for vacations, travel, or similar plans, as long as prior arrangements have been made with Ms. Sue. Your child's place will not be forfeited when this happens, and you will be credited for any classes missed by Ms. Sue.
- If your child's preschool, center, or home school group is closed for the day (weather, emergencies, or other circumstances beyond WordPlay's control), that week's session is not held. As with any missed class, your child may attend another session that same week if space allows; otherwise it is not refunded or credited.
- Payment must be received at least 2 days before the program start date, or your child's place cannot be held and may be given to another family.
✓
Thank you — your request is in.
We have your details and will be in touch about availability for your child. Nothing to pay yet.
Questions? Let’s talk.
We would love to help you learn whether WordPlay is available for your child — at their preschool or center, or as a home schooled child.
Contact WordPlay for enrollment questions, availability, and program information.
Email WordPlayPrefer the form? Send an enrollment request instead.