We all have mental health – even babies! Just as we care for children’s physical health we must also take care of their mental health. We do this by supporting their social-emotional development. By helping children to learn social and emotional skills, you can build stronger relationships with children and families. You can also reduce challenging behavior in children that you work with.
The resources on this site are intended to: educate professionals about social-emotional development and early childhood mental health; offer tips on how to support healthy social-emotional development in early childhood programs; and support communication and outreach to families.
Age Group:
All Ages
Your child's mental health needs as much attention as their physical health. Mental health starts early and lasts a lifetime. This resources provides information for parents and caregivers to support children's social-emotional development.
Age Group:
All Ages
The Colorado Department of Education developed a resource for those who work with parents, dedicated to providing information on special education issues, practices and resources to families who have children with disabilities.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5Ages 6-8
The Colorado Department of Education developed a resource dedicated to providing information on special education issues, practices and resources to families who have children with disabilities.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5Ages 6-8
As a parent, there are many ways that you can help your child succeed every single day! These bilingual parent resources offer tips on helping your child learn to read, succeed in school, and learn a new language. They also provide information about the U.S. school system and share ideas on how to build a relationship with your child’s teacher and school. In addition, you can find fun reading tips and games, bilingual booklists, ideas for using the public library, and videos of children’s authors, illustrators, and musicians. Resources are organized by topic.
Age Group:
All Ages
Storyblocks is a collection of 30-60 second videos designed to model to parents, caregivers, and library staff some songs, rhymes, and fingerplays appropriate for early childhood. Each video clip includes helpful early literacy tips to increase caregivers’ understanding of child development and pre-literacy needs.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
As a parent, there are many ways that you can help your child succeed every single day! These bilingual parent resources offer tips on helping your child learn to read, succeed in school, and learn a new language. They also provide information about the U.S. school system and share ideas on how to build a relationship with your child’s teacher and school. In addition, you can find fun reading tips and games, bilingual booklists, ideas for using the public library, and videos of children’s authors, illustrators, and musicians. Resources are organized by topic.
Age Group:
All Ages
Look here for tips and suggestions on effective and creative lesson planning. Tips are based around children's literature and age appropriate topics.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5Infants & Toddlers
The new Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework is designed to show the continuum of learning of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It is grounded in comprehensive research around what young children should know and be able to do during their early years.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
The Office of Head Start (OHS) promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
The Pyramid Plus Center works to improve the social and emotional competence and inclusion of young children through the Pyramid Plus Approach: embedded inclusion practices along the entire developmental continuum (Birth – 5 years) within the Pyramid Model framework. This approach builds on the work of the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL), the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Interventions (TACSEI), and the SpecialQuest Approach and materials.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5Infants & Toddlers
The Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) are the expectations of what students need to know and be able to do at the end of each grade. They also stand as the values and content organizers of what Colorado sees as the future skills and essential knowledge for our next generation to be more successful. State standards are the basis of the annual state assessment.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5
The ECTA Center works to help families understand their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), connect with other families, and find high-quality resources related to caring for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs to improve state early intervention and early childhood special education service systems, increase the implementation of effective practices, and enhance the outcomes of these programs for young children and their families.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
Age Group:
All Ages
The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. We accomplish our mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development.
Age Group:
All Ages
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of children ages 0-8 who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities. DEC is an international membership organization for those who work with or on behalf of young children (0-8) with disabilities and other special needs and their families.
Age Group:
All Ages
The Expanding Quality in Infant Toddler Care (EQ) Initiative is a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Human Services. Our primary goal is to increase the quality and availability of responsive care for infants and toddlers throughout Colorado.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
The Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) are the expectations of what students need to know and be able to do at the end of each grade. They also stand as the values and content organizers of what Colorado sees as the future skills and essential knowledge for our next generation to be more successful. State standards are the basis of the annual state assessment.
Age Group:
Ages 6-8
The Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) are the expectations of what students need to know and be able to do at the end of each grade. They also stand as the values and content organizers of what Colorado sees as the future skills and essential knowledge for our next generation to be more successful. State standards are the basis of the annual state assessment.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5
BabyHearing.org was created to answer parents' questions about: infant hearing screening and follow up testing; steps to take after diagnosis of hearing loss; hearing loss & hearing aids, language & speech; and parenting issues.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
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.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
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.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
Scholastic encourages the intellectual and personal growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Scholastic helps parents raise readers and learners.
Age Group:
Ages 6-8
Scholastic encourages the intellectual and personal growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Scholastic helps parents raise readers and learners.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5
Scholastic encourages the intellectual and personal growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Scholastic helps parents raise readers and learners.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
Earlier Is Easier promotes the value of interacting with children ages birth to three through singing, playing, talking, writing and reading to enhance development and help shape children’s lives when brain development is most critical.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a free, voluntary parent education and family support program serving families from pregnancy until the child enters kindergarten. PAT pairs trained Parent Educators with families to ensure school readiness and healthy child development.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is a free, voluntary school readiness program that helps you prepare your 3- to 5-year-old children for success. HIPPY is a peer-delivered program where trained home visitors provide weekly home visits, working with you one-on-one. The program also provides monthly group meetings, where you and your children can socialize and meet other families in your community, and a resource network to connect your family with resources that meet your specific needs.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5
Healthy Steps is a free, voluntary program that helps you understand what to expect from your growing child. The program pairs a Healthy Steps Specialist with families with children ages birth to 3. Specialists meet with you and your child in your pediatrician’s office and at home for up to 3 years. The goal is to provide you with solutions for the challenges of raising a child.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
Preschool special education is a state and federal mandated program for 3-4 year-old children who meet state eligibility criteria for special education and are experiencing challenges in their learning and development. A child is eligible if they have a significant delay in one or more areas of development, such as learning, speaking or playing.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5
Child Find is part of Colorado's system for identifying children suspected of having a delay in development. If a young child is not meeting typical developmental milestones, or someone is concerned about the child’s growth or learning, child find teams will evaluate how the child plays, learns, speaks, behaves and moves. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine if there is a significant delay or if there is a need for early intervention or special education services.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5
The Office of Head Start (OHS) promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
Everyone plays a role in preventing child abuse and neglect. Caseworkers and social workers are helping strengthen families and protect children, but they need your help. To end child abuse and neglect all Coloradans need to educate themselves and be willing to get involved to help a parent or a child. Even when kids experience child abuse or neglect, they can overcome and reach their full potential with help from the community. Creating a brighter future for a child starts with a phone call for help or the click of a button to get involved.
Age Group:
All Ages
Colorado Shines is a quality rating and improvement system for Colorado’s licensed early care and learning programs. Using proven methods, it measures quality based on how an early learning program supports its children, families and professionals. Once ranked, it helps programs improve their quality rating/level and connect with families who are looking for quality child care. This website allows families to search for early childhood programs utilizing information such as location, hours, licensing, and the Colorado Shines quality rating.
Age Group:
All Ages
The Early Intervention Colorado program provides developmental supports and services to families with children birth through 2 years of age who have developmental needs. EI services can help improve a child’s ability to develop and learn. The EI Colorado program provides services to help families support the developmental needs of their children.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
The Early Intervention Colorado program provides developmental supports and services to families with children birth through 2 years of age who have developmental needs. EI services can help improve a child’s ability to develop and learn and help families support the developmental needs of their children.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development. ZERO TO THREE plays a key role in ensuring that babies and toddlers get a strong start in life by supporting professionals with knowledge and tools that help them support healthy early development.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development. Our approach to supporting parents is based on the belief that parents are the true experts on their children, and that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to raising children. The information and tools we offer are designed to support parents in developing their own ways to promote their children’s growth and development.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
BrainConnection.com is dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality information about how the brain works and how people learn. Many discoveries are being made in areas that relate to the human brain, including language, memory, behavior, and aging, as well as illness and injury. Our brain experts believe that access to this information can provide practical tools for teaching and learning as well as valuable insights into almost every aspect of our daily lives.
Age Group:
All Ages
BrainConnection.com is dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality information about how the brain works and how people learn. Many discoveries are being made in areas that relate to the human brain, including language, memory, behavior, and aging, as well as illness and injury. Our brain experts believe that access to this information can provide practical tools for teaching and learning as well as valuable insights into almost every aspect of our daily lives.
Age Group:
All Ages
The Colorado Program Eligibility and Application Kit (PEAK) has everything you need to learn about public assistance programs, complete an application, and manage your benefits online.
Age Group:
All Ages
The CSEFEL is a five-year project designed to strengthen the capacity of Head Start and child care programs to improve the social and emotional outcomes of young children.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
Everyday life is a learning experience for children. Born Learning helps parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.
Age Group:
All Ages
Get Ready to Read! is designed to support educators, parents, and young children in the development of early literacy skills in the years before kindergarten. Intended for use with all children, the resources and information provided on this site promote skill-building, communication between adults, and ways to address concerns.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
Get Ready to Read! is designed to support educators, parents, and young children in the development of early literacy skills in the years before kindergarten. The resources and information promote skill-building, communication between adults, and ways to address concerns.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
Let’s Move! Child Care (LMCC) is part of Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to prevent childhood obesity. LMCC encourages and supports child care and early education providers to make positive changes in their programs in order to work toward a healthier future for children. LMCC is voluntary and for all types of programs: family child care homes, centers, Early Head Start and Head Start programs, preschool, tribal programs and faith-based programs.
Age Group:
All Ages
The Raising of America is a documentary series on early childhood. The documentary series and multimedia initiative explores how a strong start for all kids leads not only to better individual life course outcomes (learning, earning, physical and mental health) but also to a healthier, safer, better educated, more prosperous, more equitable America.
Age Group:
All Ages
New science tells us that our children’s first 5 years are when they develop the foundation for all future learning. Vroom turns shared moments into brain building moments. Whether it’s mealtime, bathtime, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nurture our children's growing minds.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5Infants & Toddlers
Free text messages with research-based child development information created by physicians and experts for caregivers of children under 3 years old. Topics include: newborn, infant and toddler care; nutrition and eating; sleep; health and safety; developmental milestones; language learning; and behavior and positive discipline.
Age Group:
Infants & Toddlers
Reach Out and Read Colorado gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together. Reach Out and Read Colorado trains doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud and to prescribe books to children at wellness check-ups from 6 months to 5 years of age, with a special focus on children growing up in poverty. By building on the unique relationship between parents and health care providers, Reach Out and Read Colorado helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success.
Age Group:
Infants & ToddlersAges 3-5
Reach Out and Read Colorado gives young children a foundation for success by encouraging families to read aloud together. Reach Out and Read Colorado helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success.
Age Group:
Ages 3-5Infants & Toddlers
PBS Parents is a trusted resource that’s filled with information on child development and early learning. It also serves as a parent's window to the world of PBS KIDS, offering access to educational games and activities inspired by PBS KIDS programs.
Age Group:
All Ages
The Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS) is designed to support professional development and guide career growth for early childhood professionals. Through the PDIS, online courses, scholarships, opportunities to connect with other early childhood professionals, and other resources are provided at no cost to you.
Age Group:
All Ages
Colorado Parent Magazine is a free parent resource from newborn to the teen years. The magazine provides parent forums, product reviews, local event guides, education guides, and more. Colorado Parent stays up to date with the latest information on all things for kids in Colorado.
Age Group:
All Ages
Rocky Mountain PBS is committed to the life-long learning of our community, starting with the earliest years. With 30% of our programming dedicated to kids, we aim to educate while entertaining young Coloradans. We're proud to partner with other Colorado parents, caregivers, nonprofit organizations, and educators whose goal is to support families and children's school readiness.
Age Group:
All Ages
The Colorado Office of Early Childhood (OEC) provides collaborative leadership to align resources for children, families, and early childhood professionals to best prepare Coloradoans for future success, through access to coordinated and quality early childhood programs and family supports.
Age Group:
All Ages