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

• English Guidelines
• Spanish Guidelines
• Vietnamese 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).