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.
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.
This Quick Tip demonstrates a playful sensory activity with a 3.5-year-old that targets early intervention goals—like commenting and describing—while capturing spontaneous learning moments; as well as how to streamline a data sheet to organize and track goals across varied session activities.
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.
This month's Latest News spotlights a compelling new study that dives into how autism is discussed on social media. Researchers wanted to understand how people talk about autism on Reddit, a popular social media platform. They looked at over 740,000 posts from autism-related communities to find out what topics come up most often. Using computer techniques called natural language processing and topic modeling, they grouped posts into themes based on what autistic communities discussed.
What they found
- Common threads included social difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and self-regulatory behaviors like stimming, or repetitive movements or sounds that helped with self-regulation.
- Many posts focused on emotional experiences, such as dealing with a diagnosis, finding peer support, and navigating everyday life.
- There were also lighter topics like music, food preferences, and friendship tips, showing the community’s diversity and interests.
The study shows that people discussing autism on Reddit often focus on lived experiences and see traits as differences, not deficits—suggesting that challenges often come from societal expectations, not the condition itself. For interventions, this means efforts should be community-informed, recognizing the voices of autistic individuals while being cautious about assuming every post reflects an autistic viewpoint. Inclusive support strategies that account for diverse experiences—both firsthand and observed—are key.
Click the article (to the right) to read more about the findings and explore how online discourse is shaping our understanding of autism
Many people assume toddlers are too young to start learning letters. They worry that early literacy skills like letter recognition are too “academic,” or that two- and three-year-olds will tune out if you introduce the alphabet before they’re ready to read. Not quite. Young children can joyfully and meaningfully engage in early literacy activities—then beg to play “again, again!” The key? Keep literacy activities for young children simple, developmentally appropriate, and above all, fun!
This Play of the Month shares some of my favorite early literacy activities—and guess what? Reading books isn’t even on the list. These playful ideas are engaging for toddlers of all ages, from little ones just beginning to explore the alphabet to older children gearing up to read and write.
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.
✏️ Fun & Easy ABC Activities
Boost letter recognition through play with these hands-on, movement-rich ideas! Each activity is designed to support early literacy while engaging your child’s fine motor skills, spatial vocabulary, and joyful curiosity.
🟨 Sticky Note Letter Hunt
Hide sticky notes with letters around the room and invite the child to find them!
How to Play:
- Write 3–5 letters on sticky notes.
- Hide them around the room (no peeking!).
- Encourage the child to find and name each letter:
“You found letter S!” - If the child knows their letters, let them tell you what they found.
You’ll Need:
- Sticky notes
- Marker or pen
Tips for Success:
- Start with familiar letters (like those in the child’s name).
- Choose letters that look different (avoid P and B together).
- Use spatial words like “under,” “next to,” or “far” to describe locations.
🖌️ Chalk Letter Trace & Erase
Show the child how to trace and erase chalk letters with a wet paintbrush—great for letter learning and fine motor fun!
How to Play:
- Write letters, names, or simple words on a blackboard.
- Give the child a wet paintbrush to trace and erase.
- Repeat until they’re ready to move on.
- Try a whiteboard + dry erase marker for variation!
You’ll Need:
- Blackboard or whiteboard
- Chalk or dry erase markers
- Paintbrush
- Water
Tips for Success:
- Say each letter aloud while writing and tracing.
- Pre-wet the brush and/or take a turn to demonstrate if the child isn’t ready for open water.
💦 ABC Spray & Erase
Write letters on a whiteboard for the child to spray them away!
How to Play:
- Write a letter, name, or sight word on the board.
- Hand the child a spray bottle and let them erase it!
- For variation, show them how to write their own letters too.
You’ll Need:
- Spray bottle with water
- Whiteboard + dry erase markers
- Baby wipes or towels for clean-up
Tips for Success:
- Use a wet paintbrush if spraying is too tricky.
- Give opportunities for older children to write and erase independently.
- Remind them where water belongs (on the board, not the floor!).
🏴☠️ Sensory ABC Treasure Hunt
Dig for buried letter treasures in a sensory bin!
How to Play:
- Fill a clear bin with rice, sand, or another sensory filler.
- Hide letter manipulatives inside.
- Encourage the child to dig and name each letter they find.
- Use small containers as “treasure boxes” to collect letters.
You’ll Need:
- Clear sensory tub
- Rice, sand, or other filler
- Letter manipulatives (e.g., puzzle pieces)
- Optional: Small containers
Tips for Success:
- Say the letter aloud as the child finds it.
- Add scoops or tongs to boost fine motor skills.
🚗 Giant Masking Tape Letters
Make giant letters on the floor with tape—perfect for walking, tracing, and driving toy cars!
How to Play:
- Choose a letter and “draw” it on the floor with masking tape.
- Talk about the letter’s shape as you build it.
- Show and encourage the child to walk or drive toy cars along the lines.
You’ll Need:
- Colorful masking tape
- Optional: Toy vehicles
Tips for Success:
- Set up the child to help choose or make letters.
- Add props to extend play (cars, animals, etc.).
- Expect tape pulling—it’s fine motor practice too!
🚶 Environmental Print Scavenger Hunt
Take a walk and find letters in the world around you!
How to Play:
- Head outside and look for letters on signs, buildings, and more.
- Point out letters and encourage the child to do the same.
- Celebrate every discovery—learning is everywhere!
You’ll Need:
- Just a place to walk with visible print
Tips for Success:
- Encourage the child to explore freely—letters and airplanes are both exciting!
- Use this time to bond, observe, and chat about what you see.
