Early Childhood Resource Links

Colorado Resources

• Preschool Through 3rd Grade Office Resources
• Office of Early Childhood
  • Colorado Shines
• Colorado Department of Human Services
  • Learn more about Early Childhood Teacher Qualifications and Director Qualifications 
• Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC)

Curriculum

• Research-Based Curricula and Teaching Practices 

Dual Language Learners 

• Head Start - Dual Language Learner Toolkit
• Colorín Colorado - A bilingual site for families and educators of English language learners PreK-3rd grade
  • Resources for ELLs in Preschool
• Strategies for Successful Opportunities in ECE
• PreK-3rd: Challenging Common Myths about Dual Language Learners; An Update to the Seminal 2008 Report
• Focus on the Early Years - Dual Language Learners (PDF) (end of the second paragraph for link to download)
• Hearing Language is Learning (PDF)
• Growing Up as a Dual Language Learner (PDF)
• Cognitive Benefits of Bilingualism (PDF)

Community Partnerships and Planning for Diverse Student Populations

• Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
• Better Outcomes for All: Promoting Partnerships between Head Start and State Pre-K 
• Beyond the School Yard: Pre-K Collaborations with Community-Based Partners 

Family Engagement

• Family Engagement Toolkit - Build Initiative
• Toolkit of Resources for Engaging Families and the Community as Partners in Education - Regional Educational Laboratory Program

Research

• National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)
• Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University
• National Association for the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC)
• Mental Health Colorado - Early Childhood Mental Health Toolkit (2018)

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Learn more about ESSA

Kindergarten Transition Resources

• Are You Ready? A Family's Guide to Starting Kindergarten (PDF)
• Transition Best Practices (PDF)
• Head Start - Transition Planning Resources
• Family Engagement in the Transition to School
• School Readiness Infographic
• Transition TiPs - National Early Childhood Transition Center Toolkit of Practices and Strategies
• Ready Schools Guide (PDF)
• Early Matters: Integrating Attendance Into Kindergarten Transition

Meal Time

• Feeding Young Children in Group Settings
• How Mealtimes Can Set the Stage for Better Learning, Behavior, and Health in Children (PDF)
• Meal Time Phrases that Help and Hinder 

Leadership by Educators and Administrators

• PreK-3rd: How Superintendents Lead Change
• Leading PreK-3 Learning Communities (PDF)
• Ready or Not: Leadership Choices in Early Care and Education
• PreK-3rd: Principals as Crucial Instructional Leaders