High-Quality Early Learning
High-quality early learning leads to many positive outcomes in life, including increased educational attainment, healthier lifestyles, and more successful careers. It is also crucial to recognize that early learning spans from birth through third grade (also referred to as P3), and that alignment of quality practices across early care and education programs and across grade levels are necessary to create a coherent learning experience and smooth transitions.
Key elements guiding P3 work include: cross-sector work, leadership and administrative effectiveness, teacher effectiveness, instructional tools (standards, curriculum, and assessment), learning environments, engaged families, continuity and pathways (including transition), and data-driven improvement. Detailed information about these elements can be found by visiting the National P3 Center webpage.
Screen Use Guidance and Resources
-
Making Connections: Using Screens as a Learning Tool - 5/11/23
This webinar explores ways screens can support young learners make connections between prior knowledge, new materials and concepts, learning goals, and other people and communities. -
Examples of Developmentally Appropriate Screen Use and Quality Content Checklists - 5/11/23
This webinar reviews professional guidelines for screen use and what to consider for developmentally appropriate screen use in early learning classrooms. Content also includes checklists for selecting apps or programs, and considerations for ways screens can support exceptional learners in the classroom. -
Digital Well Being in Children - 5/11/23
This webinar covers key themes from recent research on children’s digital well-being, the four domains of digital well-being in children, and what screen use to support digital well-being looks like. -
Co-Viewing and the Role of the Adult in Screen Time - 5/11/23
This webinar provides educators with guidance on how to select developmentally appropriate content, teach healthy screen use, co-view and scaffold independence, guide in the “learning zone, and model digital health and well-being. -
Guidance: Screen Time Limits for Children in Publicly Funded Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Programs
- 10/20/21
During the 2021 Legislative Session, legislation was passed on the use of individual-use screens in public prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms. This document provides guidance on applying the legislation to classrooms and instruction. -
Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Screen Time Legislation
- 10/20/21
Announcement about screen time legislation.
Play-Based Learning
-
Play Talk Read Part 1 - 2/22/24
This webinar discusses the value of play-based instruction as it relates to oral language, literacy skills, and joyful learning in preschool through the early elementary grades. It is intended for special and general education practitioners, administrators, elementary school principals and curriculum specialists. The Academic Standards, Instruction, and Assessment Division have collaborated with Early Learning Services to ensure the webinar content aligns with evidence-based practices in the READ Act. Play. Talk. Read. Slides Part 1. Play. Talk. Read. References -
Play Talk Read Part 2 - 2/22/24
This webinar discusses the value of play-based instruction as it relates to oral language, literacy skills, and joyful learning in preschool through the early elementary grades. It is intended for special and general education practitioners, administrators, elementary school principals and curriculum specialists. The Academic Standards, Instruction, and Assessment Division have collaborated with Early Learning Services to ensure the webinar content aligns with evidence-based practices in the READ Act. Play. Talk. Read. Slides Part 2. Play. Talk. Read. References -
Play in Kindergarten
- 1/22/24
Lifelong learning begins with play. Play uses exploration, imagination, and inquiry to develop cognitive and social-emotional skills and the confidence to engage in new experiences. Play is a valuable and evidence-based teaching practice for all early learning environments, including kindergarten and beyond.
Other Resources
-
Fun Activities Providers Can Do with Young Children
- 10/21/21
Find ideas to help create fun activities, encourage the use of language, and support individual and group development for babies (infant-12 months), toddlers (12-36 months), preschoolers (3-5 years old), and school-aged children (elementary grades). -
Relationships in Early Childhood Education
- 10/13/21
Learn how to build strong relationships with children’s family members to support their development and create a buffer during times of increased stress and challenges. -
- 6/3/21
Presentations, recordings and handouts from the Early Childhood Education Summit 2021.
Call: 651-785-4064 Visit: 
