Learning to Play and Playing to Learn in Home Environments
This webinar explores how home visitors can support families to nurture their child’s curiosity and initiative through play, to create a foundation for lifelong learning.
Curriculum
A high-quality, research-based curriculum promotes measurable progress toward children’s development. The content and learning outcomes of the curriculum align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) and state early care and education standards. It provides guidance on what (content) and how (learning experiences and teaching practices) to teach. Content is drawn from current child development science, the interests and ideas of the children, family input, and the values of the community. A curriculum also provides ways to create nurturing and responsive practices, interactions, and environments that foster trust and emotional security. It helps families to actively engage in their child’s education. Staff use what they know about each child's strengths and needs and each family's goals to plan their use of the curriculum.
Play Promotes Early Development: It’s Time for Play!
Children learn through play every single day. Watch these videos to find out what — and how — children learn as they play.
Curriculum and Ongoing Assessment in Home-Based Programs
Explore elements of home-based curricula, the supporting role of ongoing assessment, and the ways both influence how home visitors can plan virtual and in-person home visits and socialization activities.
A Culturally Responsive Approach to Implementing a Curriculum
Learn more about a culturally responsive approach to implementing a curriculum and its key components. Find ways to partner with families to provide children with culturally responsive learning experiences.
Implementing a Curriculum Responsively: Building on Children’s Interests
In this 15-minute In-service Suite, learn how education staff can implement a curriculum responsive to individual children's interests.
Implementing a Curriculum Responsively: Supporting Children’s Development and Learning
This 15-minute In-service Suite describes how education staff can implement a curriculum that is responsive to children's development and learning.
Designing Messy Play for Infants and Toddlers
Messy play is the open-ended exploration of materials and their properties. Learn ways to manage the mess as children learn foundational cognitive principles and exercise motor, language, and social skills.
Supporting Messy Play with Infants and Toddlers
In this video, learn about the specific learning that happens when infants and toddlers engage in messy play. Find out about effective practices staff can use to manage the mess while also managing the classroom.
Emergent Writing
Learn about emergent writing and the writing process. Discover ways to support children's emergent writing skills.
Make-Believe Play
This suite highlights the key components of make-believe play. It describes what play looks like for children ages birth to 5 and provides practical ways to support make-believe play for all children.