Colorado has several initiatives and resources in place that have the common goal of improving the knowledge, skills, and practices of the full range of professionals who touch the lives of young children and families.

For early childhood professionals, the first stop on your journey is the Colorado Office of Professional Development , which provides direct training and credentialing opportunities, as well as guidance about how to navigate the system of professional advancement in the early childhood field.

For community stakeholders, there are statewide initiatives taking place to help improve and align the Colorado system of early childhood teacher preparation.

How do I find out about...

+ How do I find out about early literacy materials in other languages?

Washington Learning Systems is making their “On the Go” materials available, at no cost, parent-child early literacy activities in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Somali, Burmese and Russian.

The development of these materials was supported in part by Grant H324M020084 from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and by funding from Washington Learning Systems.

Language and early literacy activities: Free and Reproducible
Developed by Angela Notari-Syverson, Ph.D, and Judy Challoner, M.S.
Illustrations: Don Syverson

These materials include home and community activities for adults and young children (birth to five) that encourage early language and literacy development. They are appropriate for children with disabilities as well as children who are developing typically.

Each of the activities includes an activity description, and hints for making the activity fun and developmentally appropriate. An activity checklist helps parents and caregivers notice their children's skills, and also cues adults to examine and grow their own interactions with children.

The materials are made available by Angela Notari-Syverson and colleagues, and may be copied and distributed as long as they are not sold.

To download materials go to http://www.walearning.com and click on the button that says "Literacy Resources" on the home page. You will need to create a logon account using your email address and a password.

For questions please contact:
Mary Maddox
Washington Learning Systems
2212 Queen Anne Ave. No. Ste. 726
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 310-7401 FAX (206) 283-9243
mmaddox@walearning.com

+ Getting training or a credential for myself or teachers in my ECE setting?
The Colorado Office of Professional Development provides direct training and credentialing opportunities, as well as guidance about how to navigate the system of professional advancement in the early childhood field. In addition, Qualistar maintains a calendar of professional trainings and events. These organizations also maintain information about scholarships and financial aid for certain early childhood trainings and educational opportunities.

Find your local community college for college courses or associate degrees that prepare you to teach in an early childhood setting.

Finally, the local Early Childhood Councils will often be aware of special trainings or workshops happening in the community.

+ Colorado's state requirements about director qualifications, teacher preparation, ratios and licensing standards?
This link addresses Colorado's state requirements for teacher preparation, child/teacher ratios and licensing standards in daycare centers and family daycare. It also has contact information about local agencies. Another resource is the National Child Care Information & Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC). This link provides information on state requirements for child care directors.

+ Improving teaching and learning in my classroom?
Reading Rockets is a wonderful resource that we reference throughout this website. This page has specific tips and additional resources compiled for the child care or preschool professional. Zero-to-three has literacy tips specific to infants and toddlers.

+ All kinds of trainings, both online and in-person?
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment manages an online training search system called CO.TRAIN. If you click on “course search”, you can search by audience (e.g., child care providers), competency desired (e.g., cultural competency/awareness), format (e.g., online self-paced, online, audiconference, meeting, etc.) and many other convenient search options.

+ How much screen time or TV time is acceptable?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends NO screen time for children under 2 and less than 2 hours per day for older children. Kids and Screens describes the risks of excessive screen time. The TRUCE Media and Young Children Action Guide promotes the responsible use of media and will help you reduce the harmful impact of TV, DVDs, computers, video games and other electronic media in your children’s lives. In Computers for Infants and Young Children, Dr. David Elkind, former president of the NAEYC, describes the harmful side effects of screen time on infants’ visual development and the harmful impact on the parent-child relationship.

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