Early Learning for Ages 0-5 Years
You are your child's first and most important teacher.
Here are some ways to support early learning at home, in childcare and school, or when extra help is needed. We're here.
Things to do at home
Sing. Say. Point. Play.
These four simple actions can help babies learn to talk and children learn to read.
Sing.
Singing helps your young child develop an awareness of different sounds.
Songs introduce new words. Sing nursery rhymes, silly made up songs, or songs on the radio. Your child loves to hear your voice.
Just sing!
Say.
Your child learns to talk by hearing your words.
Describe what you are doing, seeing, or thinking about, especially to your baby. Wait to give him time to say something back. Then, respond to his sounds and words.
Back and forth conversation is key!
Point.
When your child points, she is telling you what is important.
When you point, bring attention to the meaning of the words and ideas. Point to what catches her eye, interesting things around you, or pictures and words in a book.
Pointing is a powerful communication tool!
Play.
Your child makes sense of the world when he plays.
You are his most important playmate. Get on the floor and explore with all your senses. Spend time together dropping, stacking, pouring, banging, and pretending.
Follow his lead, talk a lot, and have fun!
Vroom
You already have what it takes.
New science tells us that our children’s first years are when they develop the foundation for all future learning .
Vroom turns shared moments into brain moments. Whether it’s mealtime, bathtime, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nurture our children’s growing minds. There are so many ways YOU can be a brain builder.
Bright By Text
Free tips by text to help give your child a bright beginning
Bright by Text provides quality information and trusted resources to parents and caregivers of children prenatal to five. Available in English and Spanish; the messages are comprised of research-based content from Bright by Three and partners such as PBS, Vroom, and Sesame Street.
Zero to Three
ZERO TO THREE is an excellent resource that can help answer many of the common questions parents have.
I love Zero to Three because I know that I will get well-researched, easy to understand answers to my parenting questions. Whether I'm worried about my child's eating habits or her temper tantrums, I know I can trust the answers I find.
- Courtney, parent of 2 year old
At childcare or preschool
Finding a good fit for your family
Oakland Schools Early Childhood
Birth to Kindergarten
Early Childhood works collaboratively with Oakland County schools, families and communities to develop a systemic approach to support the development and academic achievement of all children from birth to Kindergarten.
GSRP & HEAD START
3-5 Years Old
Free high quality preschool programs are available through Head Start and the Great Start Readiness Program.
Great Start to Quality
0-5 Years Old
Finding the right child care, preschool or school-age program can be challenging. Use greatstarttoquality.org to search every licensed program near you. The search engine includes information about program hours, costs, schedule, and program quality.
When you need more support
Early On
0-3 Years Old
Early On® Oakland is a system of services for families of children birth to three years who have a health condition or a developmental delay.
Build Up Michigan
3-5 Years Old
Build Up Michigan helps parents and their children, ages 3 through 5, get additional educational support as they begin and continue to learn the skills needed to enter kindergarten.
ASQ Developmental Screening
0-5 Years Old
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is a free, online child development screening tool to help monitor early childhood development.
Still have questions? Connect with us!