A New Resource for Head Start Leaders is Here!

by E. Dollie Wolverton

The Head Start Bureau has issued a new publication entitled, The Head Start Leaders Guide to Positive Child Outcomes. The core of this Guide is a comprehensive set of effective teaching strategies to foster children’s progress in each of the eight Domains of the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework: language development, literacy, mathematics, science, creative arts, social & emotional development, approaches to learning, and physical health & safety. The Guide provides a clear vision of what educational quality looks like: intentional, outcomes-oriented teaching and engaging, challenging learning opportunities for groups and individual children. A chapter in the Guide is devoted to adaptations for children who are advanced in development or for children who have disabilities.

The Guide addresses the learning needs of all children, including English language learners. It offers strategies related to the legislatively mandated Language Indicators targeting children’s progress in listening to and understanding English and speaking English and strategies that also support their home language and culture (see the Bulletin Pullout). For example, strategies to support English language learners include:

• Speak English in ways that help English language learners understand. Use simple sentences, repeat what is said, use gestures and facial expressions, point to objects, use everyday vocabulary.



• Help children link English vocabulary to firsthand experiences with pictures, concrete objects, and real-life events.
  
  
• Provide lots of time and opportunities for children to talk among themselves. Pair English language learners with dominant English speakers for some activities.

Across the other Domains, the learning needs of English language learners are highlighted in the Guide. The creative arts allow children to build a sense of competence because there are no right or wrong ways, all products are valued, and they can rely on non-verbal communication. Drama and dramatic play provide for the use of and practice of language in a natural and spontaneous environment. Mathematics and science involve hands-on experiences that build vocabulary and concepts. As English language learners develop gross skills, they experience confidence and pride in their accomplishments which furthers their progress in other Domains; as their fine motor skills develop, they experiment with writing tools and literacy materials.

The leadership teams in Head Start programs will find this Guide a useful resource in staff development and parent training. It can be ordered from the Head Start Information and Publication Center at 1-866-763-6481 (toll free); 1-703-683-5769 (fax). It is also available on-line at www.headstartinfo.org A Spanish version is available.

E. Dollie Wolverton is Chief, Education Services Branch, Head Start Bureau. T: 202-205-8418; E: dwolverton@acf.hhs.gov