The University of Toledo

Early Development/Academic Achievement

It is important that Early Childhood educators are aware of and able to implement instructional strategies that support early development and learning and promote academic achievement. The following websites include information about state guidelines and research based instructional strategies.

Ohio Department of Education
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) recently adopted new Pre-Kindergarten content standards. Please click on a content area to view the standards.

English Language Arts	Science
Mathematics	Social Studies

CONNECT Modules
The CONNECT modules are free online modules designed to help build early childhood practitioners ability to engage in evidence-based decision making. Module 1: Embedded Interventions, explores what embedded interventions are and how they can be used in inclusive settings. This module can be accessed at:
http://community.fpg.unc.edu/connect-modules/learners/module-1

Center for Early Literacy Learning
The goal of the Center for Early Literacy Learning (CELL) is to promote the adoption and sustained use of evidence-based early literacy learning practices. This site has resources for early childhood intervention practitioners, parents, and other caregivers of children, birth to five years of age, with identified disabilities, developmental delays, and those at-risk for poor outcomes.
http://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/

The following guides can be used for promoting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers literacy learning using interest-based and highly engaging activities. http://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/pgpracts.php
Illinois Child Development Modules: Understanding Young Children's Development

These narrated modules were developed by training personnel in Illinois based on content developed by the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. These modules correspond to the three child outcome areas and are focused on identifying age-appropriate skills among children zero to three. The following module focuses on outcome two, children acquire and use knowledge and skills.
https://ucpnet.adobeconnect.com/_a47435447/p9bq60bntyx/

Project SPIES
The website Project SPIES for Parents and Caregivers of Preschool Children with Disabilities focuses on methods and procedures for helping preschoolers with disabilities learn within natural settings.
http://www.spiesforparents.cpd.usu.edu/Start.htm

American Academy of Pediatrics
Provides information on basic health and developmental milestones for different stages, and developmental signs which may need further evaluation.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Pages/default.aspx

Centers for Disease Control
This website provides information on developmental milestones for children from 3 months to 5 years of age and offers developmental warning signs for each age group. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

Parenting Counts Developmental Timeline
This online resource from Talaris Institute provides research-based information about children's developmental milestones from birth to age 5.
http://www.parentingcounts.org/information/timeline/

Planning Literacy Environments for Diverse Preschoolers
This article discusses the promotion of literacy for exceptional preschool children. It reflects on the experiences of two preschool teachers in who applied their creativity to meet the diverse needs of these children. The impact of books and book reading on the development of early literacy skills for young children is assessed. In addition, the article explains the importance of setting up a classroom library center that is accessible for all children. PDF