Birth Defects
Find research, tips for preventing defects, and materials about folic acid. Head Start and Early Head Start health and disabilities managers may use these resources as educational tools or for training.
Children with Disabilities
Young children vary in their skills, knowledge, backgrounds, and abilities. Effective teaching requires individualized teaching and chances to learn for all children to access, participate, and thrive in early learning settings. Individualizing for children who need more support helps ensure effective teaching for children with disabilities and other special needs across all the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework domains. Using children’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals is part of effective teaching, individualizing, and creating environments to support children’s positive outcomes.
1302.63 Coordination and collaboration with the local agency responsible for implementing IDEA.
Review the requirements for developing interagency agreements with the local agency responsible for implementing Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to improve service delivery to children with disabilities.
1302.62 Additional services for parents.
Head Start programs must provide information and skill-building opportunities to help parents understand their child’s disability and become advocates to best support their child’s development.
1302.61 Additional services for children.
Review standards for providing services to children during Individuals with Disabilities Education Act eligibility determination and through an Individualized Education Program or Individualized Family Service Plan.
1302.60 Full participation in program services and activities.
Programs must ensure enrolled children with disabilities and their families receive all services delivered in the least restrictive possible environment and that they fully participate in all program activities.
1303.75 Children with disabilities.
Head Start programs that provide transportation services must ensure its buses or allowable alternate vehicles are adapted or designed for children with disabilities, as necessary.
Curriculum Modifications: An Introduction
This in-service suite gives an overview of eight types of curriculum modifications. Teachers can use these simple changes to classroom activities to increase a child’s engagement and learning.
Break It Down: Turning Goals into Everyday Teaching Opportunities
Use these methods to break down a learning goal into smaller steps. Breaking down a goal into easier objectives helps a child to make steady progress in mastering a skill.
Activity Matrix: Organizing Learning Throughout the Day
This in-service suite introduces the activity matrix as an effective tool for teachers to organize learning opportunities for children who need additional support during daily classroom activities and routines.
The Teaching Loop
Discover how to use a teaching practice called the Teaching Loop to provide individualized instruction to children.