ECE Professional Learning

Literacy Initiatives 

Early Childhood Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS® )

The Arizona Department of Education is partnering with Lexia Learning to provide free LETRS®  (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training for Early Childhood Preschool Educators and community partners across Arizona.

LETRS® for Early Childhood Educators professional learning provides deep knowledge of literacy instruction for the youngest learners.

Lexia LETRS for Early Childhood Educators provides deep knowledge and clarity of effective skills necessary to prepare the youngest learners for success in kindergarten and beyond by providing the “why” and “how” of early literacy instruction across all domains: language, literacy, cognitive, motor, social, and emotional. Dr. Louisa Moats and Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson designed this ongoing professional learning course for early childhood educators because research shows the foundation of literacy begins at a young age.  This will support Arizona’s literacy initiative to build a generation of lifelong readers.  To learn more about EC LETRS professional learning please visit https://www.lexialearning.com/arizona-letrs and our Padlet for frequently asked questions.

If you and/or your district/site is interested in receiving this training, please fill out the form and someone will be in contact with you (please give a few weeks as the volume of requests is high). 

This training is designed for Preschool Educators and does not meet the requirements for the K-5 Literacy Endorsement.  

ADE and Lexia Learning will be hosting an informational webinar on Tuesday, September 19th at 3:00. Please click here to join. 

Coming Soon: Early Childhood LETRS office hours

LETRS Interest Form

Comprehensive Literacy State Development-Supplement (CLSD-Supplemental) grant

The Arizona Comprehensive Literacy State Development-Supplement (CLSD-Supplemental) grant is now open and closes on 9/15/2023.

CLSD-Supplemental competitive grant opportunities include literacy-based curriculum and high-quality resources that meets Tier 1 or Tier 2 ESSA requirements, Dyslexia Designee Training, K-5 Literacy Endorsement Professional Development and High Impact Interventions.

Links to upcoming Q&A sessions are available on the CLSD-Supplemental Flyer. Before attending a Q&A Session please watch the recorded webinar.

Webinar Link

Live Webinars

ADE ECE is now offering LIVE Webinar sessions on specific Early Childhood topics. These will be open to the entire ECE field and will be offered regularly. No registration is needed for these sessions unless otherwise noted below. Please add to your calendar as a reminder and join below!

Live Training Schedule

FY23 Live Training Schedule

Wednesday, September 6, 2023 2:00PM-4:00PM

Data Tells a Story

Participants will be able to explain the importance of using data to inform instruction, describe the keys to effective early childhood assessment, identify the different ways to collect and implement informal data in their daily instruction, demonstrate and understand the standards and how to document data.

Tuesday, September 12, 2023 4:00PM-6:00PM

Unpacking the AZELS 

State standards are sometimes written as complex statements that can be interpreted in different ways.  Thus, it is important that teachers have a common understanding about the goals and targets of each standard.  Participants will be able to: Explain and identify what the students should know and be able to do, identify key concepts and skills of the standard, identify the learning intention and how students will know they are successful. 

Saturday, September 30, 2023 9:00AM-11:00AM

Literacy Knowledge

This course looks at the Literacy Knowledge strand of Scarborough's Rope. Participants will learn how it aligns to the Emergent Literacy concepts in AZELS. Learners will leave the course with activities and engagement strategies to immediately implement in their learning environment.

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:00PM-4:00PM

Oral Language

This course looks at oral language development of children from birth through five years old. Participants will dive into the ITDG and AZELS and see the correlation between brain research and how children develop. The course will provide participants with strategies for enhancing children's communication skills, interactions, and literacy rich experiences from infancy to kindergarten entry.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 4:00PM-6:00PM

Data Tells a Story

Participants will be able to explain the importance of using data to inform instruction, describe the keys to effective early childhood assessment, identify the different ways to collect and implement informal data in their daily instruction, demonstrate and understand the standards and how to document data.

Friday, October 20, 2023 9:00AM-11:00AM

Literacy Knowledge

This course looks at the Literacy Knowledge strand of Scarborough's Rope. Participants will learn how it aligns to the Emergent Literacy concepts in AZELS. Learners will leave the course with activities and engagement strategies to immediately implement in their learning environment.

Saturday, October 28, 2023 9:00AM-11:00AM

Unpacking the AZELS 

State standards are sometimes written as complex statements that can be interpreted in different ways.  Thus, it is important that teachers have a common understanding about the goals and targets of each standard.  Participants will be able to: Explain and identify what the students should know and be able to do, identify key concepts and skills of the standard, identify the learning intention and how students will know they are successful. 

Webinar Recordings

Recorded Webinars

Webinar TOPIC	PRESENTED BY	SESSION MATERIALS	link to RECORDING
PDG B-5 Subgrantee Guidance Manual Overview/Q&A (English)	ECE Team Arizona Department of Education	PDG Sub-Grantee Manual Q&A Slide Deck (English)	View Recording
Manual del subconcesionarios de PDG B-5 (Español)	ECE Team Arizona Department of Education	Manual del subconcesionarios de PDG B-5 (Español)	View Recording
Introduction to Adult Resilience	ECE Team Arizona Department of Education	Intro to Adult Resilience	View Recording
Empower Program / Go NAPSACC	Bonnie Williams Dept of Health Services	Empower/GNS.pdf Empower/GNS.pdf	View Recording
Quality First Overview	Quality First Team First Things First	QFPresentation.pdf QFPresentation.pdf	View Recording
Observation and Assessment	ECE Team Arizona Department of Education	Observation&Assessment.pdf Observation&Assessment.pdf	View Recording

30-min Intro Online Courses

Introductory Online Courses (30 min)

Intro to Infant Toddler Developmental Guidelines (ITDG) (30-min)

This course provides an introduction to the  five domains of the Infant and Toddler Developmental Guidelines (ITDG) and how to use the guidelines to provide responsive caregiving and quality learning experiences for all children birth to 3 years of age in early care and education settings.

Intro to Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) (30-min)

This course provides an introduction to the eight standards within the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) and how to use the standards to provide an instructional foundation for all children 3-5 years old in early care and education settings.

Intro to Program Guidelines for High Quality Early Education (30 min)

The course provides an introduction to the Program Guidelines for High Quality Early Education: Birth through Kindergarten and will help participants develop a working knowledge of the guidelines to support their program be better prepared to help young children succeed.

Cursos de Español

CURSOS INTRODUCTORIOS EN LÍNEA (30 MIN)

Introducción a las Directrices para el Desarrollo del Bebé y del Infante (ITDG) (30 min)

Este curso proporciona una introducción a las Pautas de desarrollo para bebés y niños pequeños (ITDG) y cómo usar las pautas para proporcionar cuidado receptivo y experiencias de aprendizaje de calidad para todos los niños desde el nacimiento hasta los 3 años de edad en entornos de atención y educación temprana.

Introducción a los Estándares de Aprendizaje Temprano de Arizona (AZELS) (30 min)

Este curso proporciona una introducción a los ocho estándares dentro de los Estándares de Aprendizaje Temprano de Arizona (AZELS) y cómo usar los estándares para proporcionar una base de instrucción para todos los niños de 3 a 5 años de edad.

1-hour Online Courses

1-hour Online Courses

ITDG Social Emotional Development (1-hr) 

This course focuses on the SE Domain of the Infant Toddler Developmental Guidelines (ITDG) including early brain research in relation to positive development and how to create rich learning environments for infants and toddlers.

ITDG Approaches to Learning (1-hr) 

This course focuses on the Approaches to Learning Domain of the Infant Toddler Developmental Guidelines (ITDG) including an introduction to early brain research in relation to approaches to learning and how to foster initiative, creativity, and problem solving skills in infants and toddlers.

ITDG Language Development & Communication (1-hr)

This course focuses on the Language Development & Communication Domain of the Infant Toddler Developmental Guidelines (ITDG) including an introduction to early brain research and how to build the language and communication skills of listening, speaking, and emergent literacy in infants and toddlers.

ITDG Cognitive Development (1-hr) 

This course focuses on the Cognitive Development Domain of the Infant Toddler Developmental Guidelines (ITDG) including a connection to early brain research and how to foster exploration, build memory skills, and support reasoning and problem-solving through imitation and symbolic play.

AZELS Social Emotional Development (1-hr)

This course provides an overview of the Social & Emotional Development Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) and an introduction to the Pyramid Model to provide behavior supports, along with strategies to foster positive development in children age 3-5.

AZELS Approaches to Learning (1-hr)

This course provides an overview of the Approaches to Learning Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including supports to foster curiosity, confidence, creativity, and problem solving skills in children age 3-5.

AZELS Language & Literacy (1-hr)

This course provides an overview of the Language & Literacy Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including supports to build language, emergent literacy, and emergent writing skills in preschool age children.

AZELS Mathematics (1-hr)

This course provides an overview of the Mathematics Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including supports to foster counting, operations, measuring, and geometry skills in preschool age children.

AZELS Science (1-hr)

This course provides an overview of the Science Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including supports to foster scientific inquiry and application skills in preschool age children.

AZELS Physical Development Health & Safety (1-hr)

This course provides an overview of the Physical Development, Health & Safety Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including supports to promote healthy physical development, appropriate hygiene practices, and safety measures in the environment and the classroom for preschool age children.

PGHQ: Family Engagement & Support (1-hr)

This course provides an overview of Program Guideline 5: Family Engagement & Support from the Program Guidelines for High Quality Early Education: Birth through Kindergarten including specific ways to more fully and effectively engage with families involved in your program.

AZ School Readiness Framework (1-hr)

This course provides an overview of the Arizona School Readiness Framework and its key components such as research-based curriculum and assessment, high-quality kindergarten transitions, and the importance of family engagement.

Ongoing Progress Monitoring (1-hr)

This course is designed to show the importance of ongoing progress monitoring within the early childhood education system. The four stages of the assessment cycle are outlined to include high-quality practices that support children’s outcomes, family engagement, and programmatic decision making.

2-hour Online Courses

2-hour Online Courses

ITDG Language Development & Communication (2-hr)

This course takes a closer look at the Language Development & Communication Domain of the Infant Toddler Developmental Guidelines (ITDG) including the connection of early brain research to language and communication development and provides effective strategies for supporting listening, speaking, and literacy-rich experiences for infants and toddlers.

AZELS Social Emotional Development (2-hr)

This course provides a closer look at the Social Emotional Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including the tiers of the Pyramid Model to provide behavior supports, and instructional strategies for fostering positive development in children age 3-5.

AZELS Approaches to Learning (2-hr)

This course provides a closer look at the Approaches to Learning Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including supports to implement the strands within the Standard as well as strategies to support executive function skills and cognitive flexibility in children age 3-5.

AZELS Language & Literacy (2-hr)

This course provides a closer look at the Language & Literacy Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including supports to build language, emergent literacy, and emergent writing skills and how to design a literacy-rich environment for preschool age children.

AZELS Mathematics (2-hr)

This course takes a closer look at the Mathematics Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including supports to foster counting, operations, measuring, and geometry skills along effective strategies for implementing math skills in all standards of early learning for preschool age children.

AZELS Science (2-hr)

This course takes a closer look at the Science Standard from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AZELS) including supports to foster scientific inquiry and application skills, as well as strategies for designing a science-rich environment for preschool age children.