Ohio's Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) describe key concepts and skills that young children develop during the years from birth to age five. Their purpose is to support the development and well-being of young children and to foster their learning by providing a clear, comprehensive set of expectations for content to guide early childhood programs and educators. The ELDS were revised in 2022 and cover nine essential domains of learning and development: Approaches to Learning, Cognitive Development, Creative Development, Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Physical Development and Wellness, Science, Social and Emotional Development, and Social Studies.
When you know the language of the ELDS, you can communicate to early childhood educators how your library activities and resources support and reinforce their standards across all nine domains. Notice how early childhood services and activities in libraries relate to the research-based guiding principles of the ELDS:
- Each child is unique.
- Relationships matter.
- Play is important to learning.
- Areas of learning and development are integrated.
- Children learn best with a whole-child approach.
- Development and learning are deeply rooted in family, home, early learning programs, and community.
- Children develop on a continuum.
- Each child has the right to equitable learning opportunities.
Download the complete ELDS document (PDF) and learn more about the ELDS on the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce website.