Children who speak home languages other than English make up at least one third of Head Start enrollment. They speak more than 140 languages and are enrolled in 87 percent of all Head Start programs. All Head Start staff, and policy makers will want to understand what these young dual language learners (DLLs) need in order to thrive in Head Start and beyond. They will also want to know how to support DLL’s development and school readiness skills.

Supporting transitions can have positive effects on children and families, and collaboration is key to effective transition. Each brief in this series focuses on a different partnership level: the child and family, early educators, early care and education (ECE) programs, and ECE partners.

These 15-minute In-service Suites are a professional development resource for staff in busy, active early childhood centers and programs. They are organized around one topic or big idea and address effective teaching and assessment practices.

When you learn and teach with Mother Nature at your side, you open the door to endless possibilities for children and for yourself.

This in-service suite introduces the foundation of the Framework for Effective Practice. It focuses on engaging interactions and environments.

This in-service suite provides strategies for using adult support. These strategies can be used to increase the participation of children who need more support or challenge. Also, find examples that illustrate what the strategies look like in the classroom.

By incorporating these 10 tips, you will create a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere for family and community members, and educators to enjoy their time outdoors and to be active participants in the play space.

This tool helps to identify the strengths and needs of an existing play space and serves as a basis for setting priorities and planning enhancements and improvements.