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Culture and Language

Screening and Assessing the Planned Language Approach's Big 5 Skills

Screening and assessment are part of a coordinated approach that allow education staff to understand children's strengths and needs. In order to plan learning experiences that support development of the Big 5 skills, education staff will need to use data from screening and assessment results. Use the following resources to individualize language and literacy instruction for all young children, including dual language learners (DLLs), in culturally and linguistically sensitive ways.

Children playing drums.

Screening Dual Language Learners in Early Head Start and Head Start: A Guide for Program Leaders

Discover tools program leaders can use to plan, implement, and evaluate their screening processes for children who are DLLs from birth to age 5. This guide focuses on ways leaders can make informed and intentional decisions about selecting screening instruments and implementing high-quality screening practices for children who are DLLs.
Teacher and child counting with hands.

Measuring What Children Can Do in All Languages: Developmental Assessment for Children Who Are Dual Language Learners

Children benefit from growing up bilingual. It promotes brain development, problem-solving, and other skills. In this webinar, explore typical bilingual development in the early years. Learn what it means to assess children who are DLLs. Find out how to engage and support their teachers and families.
Teacher writing on a clipboard.

Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Observation

Screening, assessment, evaluation, and observation provide information about each child's interests, strengths, and needs. Screening gives a picture of whether the child's development is on track. Assessment is an ongoing process which offers information about development over time. Observation, watching a child in order to learn about her, is a part of assessment. When there is a concern about a child's development, early intervention providers do an evaluation.
Girl playing with toys.

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Screening for potential developmental delays in children allows for early treatment and supportive services. On the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, Head Start educators and families will find a number of resources on developmental screening tools.

« Go to Planned Language Approach (PLA): Big 5 for ALL

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HeadStart.gov

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