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 inclusive environments to support children’s positive outcomes.

Good nutrition is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy foods helps children get the nutrients their bodies need to stay healthy, active, and strong. The program staff explore resources to support healthy eating habits and find nutrition assistance information to share with families.

Parents and families are supported in achieving their own goals, such as housing stability, continued education, and financial security. Programs support and strengthen parent-child relationships and engage families around children’s learning and development.

Head Start professional development ensures specialized training, formal education, or advanced professional learning is a core piece within the strategic planning set forth when striving for excellence for all of the team members within the programs.

Health is the foundation of school readiness. To help children thrive, Head Start staff ensure that children are up to date on immunizations and their state’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) schedule, learn healthy habits, and can access the care they need. Head Start also promotes oral health. Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease, but it’s preventable. Children with dental pain can have trouble speaking clearly, eating, and learning. Use the resources below to promote a healthy mouth. Learn about proper tooth-brushing and other preventive measures and how to find a dentist.