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Culture and Language

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.

Hearing Language Is Learning

Babies are born “citizens of the world.” Children can tell the difference between all the sounds in all the world’s languages at birth.

Growing Up as a Dual Language Learner

For an adult, trying to learn a second language can be a difficult task. Young children have a much easier time learning languages than adults. They learn language by having ample opportunities to hear speech from adults and peers.

Home Language Support

Children who speak home languages other than English make up at least one third of Head Start enrollment. They speak more than 140 languages and are enrolled in 87 percent of all Head Start programs. All Head Start staff, and policy makers will want to understand what these young dual language learners (DLLs) need in order to thrive in Head Start and beyond. They will also want to know how to support DLL’s development and school readiness skills.