Texas Infant, Toddler, and Three-Year-Old Early Learning Guidelines and Training
Published in 2013, the Texas Infant, Toddler, and Three-Year-Old Early Learning Guidelines describe expectations about what children should know (understand) and be able to do (competencies and skills) across domains of learning during specific age ranges, as well as what steps caregivers should take to support healthy development. As the State Center for Early Childhood Development, CLI partnered with the Texas Early Learning Council to write the Infant, Toddler, and Three-Year-Old Early Learning Guidelines (ITELG), with the assistance of a diverse group of stakeholders and input from the public.
Download the Texas Infant, Toddler, and Three-Year-Old Early Learning Guidelines
Although no two children are expected to follow the exact same pattern of growth, the ITELG are meant to provide an outline of the developmental skills young children are working on at a given stage. The ITELG were created to move Texas forward in ensuring that all children have the high-quality early experiences needed for optimal brain development. There are approximately 1,900 days between the day a child is born and the day he or she enters kindergarten. Every day is a critical opportunity to support the healthy development of each child.
The ITELG are designed to assist caregivers in understanding early childhood development and in making the most of each day during the early years of growth. The ITELG are intended to positively influence the design of professional development strategies, parent engagement, administrative planning, key class materials, and curricula. Above all else, the ITELG are a learning tool for caregivers. When equipped with the ITELG, caregivers can support a child’s growth, development, and learning for success in school and life. The ITELG include strategies for addressing children with special needs and those who are English language learners and feature developmental information in the following domains: physical health and motor development, social and emotional development, language and communication, and cognitive development. The ITELG are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Additionally, the Texas Early Learning Council created training modules on the ITELG, designed to be delivered face-to-face, updated in 2015. The five modules include an overview of the ITELG and an introduction to each of the four domains. They are located to the right. Please note that the Children's Learning Institute cannot provide certificates for these trainings. Senate Bill 265 requires that all training for School-Age and Before or After-School Programs, Child-Care Centers, Registered and Licensed Child Care Homes must be relevant to the age of the children in care and be provided by a trainer who meets certain criteria. Therefore, each trainer who downloads copies of the ITELG training modules and delivers the training must create and issue their own certificates in accordance with the trainer requirements set forth by Senate Bill 265 of the 82nd Texas Legislative Session. If you will deliver this training outside the state of Texas, please check that state's trainer requirements (if any).
Download the ITELG Training Materials (Updated 2015)
Module 1 - Texas Infant, Toddler, and Three-Year-Old Early Learning Guidelines Training Orientation
- Module 1 Facilitator Guide
- Module 1 Participant Guide
- Module 1 Handout - Responsive Caregiving Scenarios
- Module 1 Handout - Download Flyer
- Module 1 Presentation
Module 2 - Physical Health and Motor Development
- Module 2 Facilitator Guide
- Module 2 Participant Guide
- Module 2 Handout - Infant Environment
- Module 2 Handout - Let's Go Shopping
- Module 2 Handout - Special Needs Scenarios
- Module 2 Handout - Toddler Environment
- Module 2 Handout - What Kind of Environment Would You Prefer
- Module 2 Presentation
Module 3 - Social and Emotional Development
- Module 3 Facilitator Guide
- Module 3 Participant Guide
- Module 3 Handout - Word Find
- Module 3 Handout - Word Find Answers
- Module 3 Presentation
Module 4 - Language and Communication Development
- Module 4 Facilitator Guide
- Module 4 Participant Guide
- Module 4 Handout - Suggested Reading for Infants and Toddlers
- Module 4 Handout - Language "Mixer" Activity
- Module 4 Presentation
Module 5 - Cognitive Development