This collection, which includes both current and older titles, ranges from Lullaby for a Black Mother by Langston Hughes to Firebird by Misty Copeland.

This February 2022 Child Trends brief explains the importance of developing an applied research agenda on Black children and families and offers a three-step process to carry out this vision. An applied research agenda (i.e., an agenda that establishes research priorities to solve real-world problems, inform decision making, and improve the lives of people across diverse settings) can fuel efforts to address the challenges that Black children and families face and advance their well-being.

The “Word Gap” has come to symbolize the gulf that can separate very young children who have rich opportunities for positive early learning experiences from those who do not. Science reveals that early language and literacy skills are important predictors of later success in school—and that as a group, children in families of lower socioeconomic means have fewer skills and know far fewer words than their more privileged peers. ZERO TO THREE has compiled as set of resources, in English and Spanish, to will help families, professionals, and policymakers understand the importance of supporting early language and literacy and how best to do so.

This video by the CELL offers suggestions for teachers to provide literacy-rich experiences through book corners, literacy centers, and different types of materials.

In the second chapter on Levels of development, this first sub-chapter shows the team’s discussion of Bri’s communication skills. During the discussion, Bri’s strengths are noted, as are the family’s concerns.

Brainstorming ideas for what might be found in the café drama center and writing menus, helps students develop their vocabulary and provides an opportunity for meaningful talk in the classroom. See the lesson plan or tour this teacher’s classroom/

In this article, Linda Espinosa addresses six commonly myths about the language development of young English language learners. A Chinese translation is also available.

This page contains a chart listing the strategies that improve literacy skills according to the various areas of literacy development. The chart also indicates when the strategy should be used, before, during, and/or after reading.

Developed by CONNECT, this module describes how tiered instruction, also known as Response to Intervention (RTI) and Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS), can enhance early child development and learning in early childhood settings in terms of their social-emotional development and academic learning. Resources include activities, videos and handouts.

Authors Juli Pool and Deb Carter highlight ways teachers can provide a print‐rich preschool environments to encourage children with a range of literacy skills.

The authors of this resource have very skillfully woven solid evidence together with specific practices that can be used to prepare early childhood professionals to support the full participation of Black children and their families. Recommendations are organized thematically (e.g., culturally-responsive practice, high expectations of children) with specific examples provided for implementation at child/family, classroom, program, and system levels. The interpretation of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs vis-à-vis supporting Black children and families is just one of the thought-provoking features of this document.

This booklet is the first in a series that presents the NELP’s core findings on early literacy development. This booklet provides an overview of the literature about early literacy development and offers suggestions for literacy activities and creating a literacy-rich environment.

Presented by the University of Washington Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, this short video clip presents research findings on language processing, cognitive development, and social understanding in infants and adults.

How do you choose the best method for measuring reading progress? This brief article describes which assessments to use for different reading skills so that you can make sure all students are making progress towards becoming readers.

A colleague has recently written to share information for families and caregivers who support infants and toddlers who may have challenges with feeding. Jill Rabin is a speech-language pathologist whose expertise supports infants and toddlers who may have difficulty with self-feeding or progressing to solids. She has shared access to a webinar focused on this topic that includes a recording, slides, handouts, and more. NOTE: You will need to share your name, email address, and create a password to access the free materials at https://www.nutritionmc.com/?flash=checkout.already_purchased_error

The authors emphasize the ways in which stories may be used by family members and educators to support intellectual, language, literacy, social, and moral development. Check out this article to learn about how to use family stories as an effective part of teaching and learning.

This e-clip discusses the five predictors of early literacy and how teachers can use teachable moments to advance children’s reading. The webpage also contains discussion questions, recommended readings, and additional web resources.

This video clip by CELL discusses the importance of responsive teaching by parents and practitioners in encouraging early literacy development.

This blog post offers suggestions to engage boys in reading and writing. It also contains the responses and comments by readers.

If you haven’t seen this charming tribute to Black hair, please prepare to be delighted. And if you’ve seen it before, take 6:47 minutes to be delighted all over again.

This page contains links to information outlining the development of a child’s communication skills from birth to five years. Each link contains a summary of the typical milestones for each year in hearing and understanding, and talking, and what parents can do to support the child’s development. A Spanish version is also available.

This clip shows a language‐building game in which children trying to read the teachers mind by guessing the word after they are given clues.

This transcript of a conversation with Dr. Aisha White, one of the principals of the P.R.I.D.E. Program at the University of Pittsburgh, explores what is meant by “positive racial identity,” discusses the challenges young Black children, in particular, face in developing a healthy racial identity, and offers practical, research-supported ideas for how adults in the lives of young Black children can support them on their paths to healthy growth and development.

This research brief summarizes findings based on a review of the literature of that language and literacy development of DLLs from birth through 5.

Lead for Literacy is a series of one-page memos that examine an identified issue in children’s literacy development, discusses the common pitfalls that impede impact, and outlines key decisions and strategies that can be implemented.

This website offers guidelines for teaching literacy skills to individuals with disabilities, in particular those with more complex communication needs. Each skill is accompanied by an explanation, instructional tasks, materials, and procedure, an example video clip, and pointers.

This video clip discusses ways of creating a home environment that is rich in early literacy learning experiences through the use of various materials and resources found in the home.

This chart contains information on the milestones of early literacy development in the context of the physical and cognitive developmental stages of children aged 6 months through 5 years. Useful tips and suggestions for parents and caregivers are provided.

November 2021 saw the release of multiple resources for learning about and thoughtfully implementing developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), including the 4th edition monograph from NAEYC. This issue of Natural Resources offers information about a few free DAP resources to access, read, and consider using.

Whether you use children’s books to provide mirrors and windows, invest renewed energy in supporting positive identity, or consider new research possibilities to support each and every Black child, we hope you will use these resources beyond February, as part of ongoing practice.

UDL is a set of practices, in the words of CAST, that “bust the barriers to learning that [children] experience every day.” Take a look and see which of these practices you are already using and which might extend your creativity and resourcefulness even farther.

This YouTube page contains various video clips on early motor development such as typical and atypical development, sensory integration, therapies and assessments. Some clips are available in Spanish and Mandarin.

This video clip presents research findings on language development and lab experiments demonstrating how infants learn languages.

This Early Literacy Quick Tip offers tips for creating spaces that promotes early literacy.

This resource guide provides early childhood professionals with the knowledge and tools they seek to educate preschool English learners most effectively.

This book examines factors related to reading problems and describes literacy development from birth through the primary grades. It also contains recommendations for research and practice and implications for educators, parents, and policymakers.

Check out this resource from the American Psychological Association to learn more about what psychologists have learned about race and how to prevent prejudice from taking root.

Reading Rockets provides parents, educators, and service providers with resources to support children’s reading skills. These resources include reading strategies, lessons, activities, video clips, as well as related research.

This 2015 annotated bibliography from the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO), identifies selected resources on best practices and policy to support effective teaching and learning for dual language learners (DLL) in early childhood programs and early elementary school.

This clip demonstrates approaches to scaffolding language learning in the classroom.

Explicit emphasis related to supporting the full and equitable potential of children who are diverse in terms of culture, race, language, ability, opportunity, and life circumstances is now called for by national publications, standards, competencies, and position statements. The challenge for early childhood instructors is how to authentically and intentionally infuse new evidence and practices in courses and field experiences. This session will highlight effective strategies for taking action to address culture, race, and equity as part of activities, experiences, and assignments. Presenters: Cathy Collie-Robinson and Marye Vance (Durham Technical Community College, North Carolina) and the SCRIPT-NC team

Many programs have shifted to hybrid or online teaching models for the foreseeable future. This presents unique opportunities and challenges related to fostering relationships and building community and preparing students for virtual teaching and interactions. This session will open with tools and strategies for cultivating instructor-student and student-student relationships. Significant time will be spent on strategies and opportunities to provide college students with supported practice that will enable them to build meaningful connections with both young children and families. A highlight will be the participation of Marie Kohart, a talented early childhood educator who will share examples of ways in which she builds, sustains, and individualizes relationships in a virtual classroom. Strategies suitable for both synchronous and asynchronous environments will be shared.Presenters: Danielle Savory Seggerson (Lansing Community College, Michigan) and Marie Kohart (University of Kansas, Kansas)

This webinar focuses on strategies to help adult learners support the foundations of early literacy development for young children who are diverse in cultures, languages, and abilities. This webinar will share current readings, handouts, engaging activities, and effective assignments for adult learners to grow their early literacy related background knowledge and effective practice implementation skills. All activities are adapted for ONLINE teaching.

Resources to support the inclusion of children with disabilities and children who are culturally and linguistically diverse for course, EDU 280: Language and Literacy Experiences.

Targeted at educators, policy makers, and parents of young children in particular, this book contains practical suggestions, program descriptions, and strategies for everyday life to support the language and literacy development of young children from birth through third grade.

This article explains the importance of storybook reading for dual language learners and offers strategies for implementing these in the classroom. An example of a storybook reading lesson plan is provided at the end.

This research brief presents a review of six studies on early literacy practices that support parent involvement. Three of these studies are intervention studies, which are briefly summarized in a table at the end of the paper. Implications for practice are discussed.

This clip show children learning to distinguish beat and rhythm, and to skip a beat, capabilities that will help with the development of their language, literacy, and gross motor skills.

This document lists helpful tips and methods for adapting books for students with disabilities.

The Virtual Laboratory School features an online repository of professional‐development videos and instructional materials designed to empower professionals to build their knowledge and skills around best practices in child‐care and youth development. Start by selecting a track (infants and toddlers, preschool, school‐age), then choosing a course from that track. Each course is divided into topical lessons, each of which includes videos, objectives, content, videos, readings, activities, and assignments.

How can you tell if your child is ready? And how can you learn about what works, what doesn’t, and other wisdom to make the transition to the use of the toilet possible.

The emphasis on the subtle components of interaction with a very young child (e.g., gaze, gestures, sounds and language), coupled with thoughtful strategies, make this a useful article for preparing students for observation and documentation visits.

In the area of language development, timelines are helpful, but overall, it's important to consider whether or not your child is effective at communicating rather than focus on a set number of words in their vocabulary or a date on a calendar. This article highlights important questions to ask when considering whether a child’s language might be delayed.

This short webpage explains the differences between language and speech. A Spanish version is also available.

This column highlights both what we might expect from our youngest children and the factors that can impact attainment of those expectations.