ESDM Online
Welcome to ESDM Online, a resource for parents and providers eager to discover ways to help children connect, communicate, and learn. Here, you will find examples, tips, activities, the latest research findings, videos, and much more to support your goals as a parent or provider. Join the community and become part of this mission to create positive learning experiences for children.
- Giving children opportunities to practice their skills through play and everyday activities.
- Creating a welcoming, accessible and nonjudgemental space to hear about and share ideas.
- Helping children feel calm, safe and supported.
Click the video for a brief welcome message!
Connect, Communicate, and Learn
Find out how to use tips from the ESDM for early social-communication skills important to life-long learning, behavior, and health with your child or with families whom you support in an early childhood learning environment.
Today's Quick Tip discusses strategies to incorporate movement and sensory activities in play and other learning experiences to help young children with their focus, release energy, and reduce impulsivity. See the handout for activity ideas. Happy playing and learning!
Read monthly research about intervention outcomes for children with or at risk of autism; coaching supports for their families; and/or family-centered, culturally inclusive coaching tools to help early childhood professionals support families. Each monthly article is publicly available for free access.
While EI providers reported frequent use of caregiver coaching, researchers observing their sessions suggested room for improvement in their application (see the table below for how coaches versus researchers rated listed coaching practices).
Differences included a less structured approach to sessions, a focus on intervention strategies directed more at children than caregivers, and discussions primarily centered on children's communication skills, with adaptive skills as the next most common topic. Moreover, providers' attitudes toward coaching and their understanding of caregiver expectations influenced their approaches.
Click the article (to the right) to read more about the importance of professional development and consistent training in ensuring effective coaching practices and empowering families to support their child's development.
Aspects parents find most helpful:
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Fun activities, songs, and stories to engage their child.
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Clear explanations of the intervention strategies.
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A supportive and relaxed atmosphere during sessions.
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Take-home resources for ongoing practice.
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Being asked for their input on activities to try at home.
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Opportunities to share ideas and learn with other family members.
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Insights about their child's unique needs and how to support them.
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Strategies to encourage their child's independence in play and self-care routines.
This Play of the Month shares play ideas with a salad spinner. No longer just for washing fruits and vegetables, this kitchen tool can spark fun, creativity, and learning for children. See below for activity ideas and learning goals linked to the ESDM Curriculum Checklist items to help you discover the play level that best suits your child or the children and families you support in early learning environments.
Pay attention to what children like (or seem curious about) and follow their lead as long as you are a part of the action, too. Remember, the most important thing is for children to have fun doing this with you! Fun means engagement and that excites children's brains and bodies for meaningful learning to happen.
Simple play actions that encourage children to explore, use their senses, and move their bodies:
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Put toys, balls, puzzle pieces, blocks, squeeze food pouch caps, animal figurines or pretty much anything that fits in the salad spinner and watch it spin.
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String pipe cleaners, scarves, napkins, straws, dried spaghetti, or other materials that will fit through the slots of the basket.
- Add water to splash around the basket as it spins.
- A favorite snack that won't crumble could be spun inside the salad spinner.
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Pour in soap or bubble bath to make bubbles as the water spins around.
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Place a paper plate inside the strainer, then add paint and spin to create unique patterns. Experiment with additional colors, shaving cream, or glitter for extra creativity.
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Fill a container with water, sand, or a dry material like beans or pasta shells, hiding small toys or objects inside. Place a strainer in a sink or box, then pour the water or material from the container into the strainer to uncover the hidden treasures.
Imaginary play that encourages children to make-believe and role-play:
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Pretend the salad spinner is a washing machine to wash and dry clothes for dolls, stuffed animals, or yours and the child's.
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Pretend the salad spinner is an amusement park ride, merry-go-round, or spaceship. You can put pretend people and animals inside the spinner and give them a ride.
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Imagine it's a machine that mixes secret ingredients for a magical candy recipe. "Spin the dial" to create colorful treats using pretend play food or craft materials. Next turn it into a magical cauldron, mixing up enchanted potions with pretend ingredients like glitter dust and imaginary frog legs. Or an alternative is mixing up ingredients to feed customers at the restaurant.
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Spin the salad spinner to "charge up" superhero powers before flying off to save the day or race cars, revving up the engine before zooming across the finish line. Try different speeds to activate different abilities!
