Early Learning Development Guidelines (ELDG's)
Programs or families can use this great resource! It's free and helps you to know how to help your child develop new skills in many domains.
RAISING HEALTHY KIDS
Helping your child grow, learn, and thrive
Trusted, resources for the everyday work of raising kids — from development and health coverage to play, learning, and family wellbeing.
Supporting the whole family
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, chat with them online via their website, or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If this is an emergency, call 911.
Supporting the whole child
Children grow in three connected ways — their physical health, their executive function (focus, memory, and self-control), and their social-emotional skills. Below are trusted resources to nurture all three.
Physical health & development
Keep your child healthy and growing strong.
Immunizations
Stay on track with recommended vaccines, and view or print your child's official immunization records through the Colorado Department of Public Health.
Health coverage for kids
Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) offer free or low-cost health coverage for eligible children and pregnant people.
Healthy food (WIC) and
Food Banks
Nutrition support, healthy food, and breastfeeding help for pregnant people, new parents, and children under 5.
Developmental Screenings
Screenings are available for free for families that have concerns about their child.
Speak to your child's teacher and/or the Child Care Director about any concerns.
If a screening will help they can be accessed:
BUILDING BLOCKS FOR LEARNING
Executive function: the skills behind focus and self-control
Executive function is the set of mental skills children use to focus, remember, plan, and manage impulses — the foundation for school readiness and lifelong success. These skills grow fastest in the early years, and everyday play and routines are some of the best ways to build them.
Working memory
Holding and using information — like remembering the steps to get dressed or following a two-part direction.
Flexible thinking
Adapting to change and seeing things in new ways — switching the rules of a game or trying a different approach to a puzzle.
Self-control
Managing impulses, emotions, and attention — waiting for a turn or staying focused to finish a task.
Support these skills at home
EFgo by Reflection Sciences gives families a quick, science-based way to measure your child's executive function — plus a free activity guide with 20+ play-based games that build these skills. You can start measuring for free.
Everyday tools for raising your child
Free, trusted resources for all ages and stages.
Milestone - FREE CDC Tracker App
Use CDC's Milestone Tracker app to track your child's developmental milestones from age 2 months to 5 years.
The app has illustrated checklists, tips, photos, and videos to make tracking milestones easy and fun.
Lantern (formerly Bright by Text)
Get free, research-based text messages with games, tips, and local resources matched to your child's age — from before birth through age 8. Text BRIGHT to 274448 to start.
Play & learn (Vroom)
Hundreds of free, science-backed activity ideas that turn everyday moments — mealtime, bath time, the car — into brain-building play.
Looking for child care, too?
Quality early learning is one of the best things for a growing child. We can help you find it.