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Head Start programs are committed to recognizing and respecting the culture and language of the children and their families.
Programs emphasize the strengths of each children’s individual culture and language and holding high expectations for all. Administrators, teachers, providers, caregivers, and families can use these resources to promote a positive experience for all children.
Head Start programs are effective when their systems and services support the cultural diversity of enrolled families. The following resource provides recent research and perspectives on key multicultural principles and offers guidance to staff on how to implement these principles in their programs.
Learn about the key components of a Planned Language Approach (PLA). Find out why it's important, who can use it and where, and how a PLA can support systems and practices.
Language competency is crucial to children’s schoo l success. Planned Language Approach (PLA) ensures that decisions about program policies, curriculum, and instruction are based on key language development research, prenatal to adult. PLA also takes into consideration the vast cultural and linguistic diversity of children in the United States, as reflected in Early Head Start and Head Start enrollments.
The PLA is a comprehensive, research-based way for early education programs to ensure optimal language and literacy services for children who speak English and for those who are dual language learners..
This Office of Head Start reports information on efforts to revitalize tribal languages. The report affirms the value of maintaining tribes' cultural and linguistic heritage.
The Office of Head Start (OHS) has long supported the cultural and linguistic diversity of the families and children in its programs. This commitment includes support for language revitalization in tribal programs. In early 2015, OHS commissioned a project to learn directly about the efforts underway in the field, and the findings are presented in this report.
Young children who are dual language learners (DLLs) and those who speak English all require high-quality experiences in: Alphabet Knowledge and Early Writing; Background Knowledge; Book Knowledge and Print Concepts; Oral Language and Vocabulary; and Phonological Awareness.
Making It Work is a resource that can help American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) early education staff meet school readiness goals. Learn how to use it while teaching traditional cultural skills, values, beliefs, and lifeways.
School readiness and school success for children who are dual language learners are tied directly to mastery of their home language. This series of handouts is designed to provide staff and families with basic information on topics related to children learning two or more languages. They emphasize the benefits of being bilingual, the importance of maintaining home language, and the value of becoming fully bilingual. These easy-to-read resources highlight important information that every adult living or working with young dual language learners should know.
Language is one of the most important gifts you give your child. But how do you give it? The answer is simple. Speak your language with your child at home every day!
HeadStart.gov
official website of the Administration for Children and Families
