Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines - Birth through 3rd Grade - April 2021 Update

Sep 18, 2026

Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines outline key behaviors and skills children may demonstrate from birth through grade 3, and explain how parents and early learning professionals can support healthy development. The Department of Early Learning (DEL), OSPI, and Thrive by Five Washington (now Start Early Washington) coordinated a review process beginning in 2010, incorporating input from families, providers, K-3 teachers, and community representatives. The updated guidance is research-based and informed by state benchmarks, other states’ standards, Head Start/ECEAP, and Washington’s academic learning expectations, including social/emotional development.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages153

Reading Time6 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Welcome

Purposes of the Early Learning and Development Guidelines

Early Learning and Development - It Matters!

How Children Learn

Why and How the Guidelines Were Developed

Guiding Principles

How the Guidelines Can Be a Resource for You

Young Infants (Birth to 11 Months)

About me and my family and culture

Building relationships

Touching, seeing, hearing and moving around

Growing up healthy

Communicating

Learning about my world

Differences in Development

Early Intervention Services

Older Infants (9 to 18 Months)

About me and my family and culture

Building relationships

Touching, seeing, hearing and moving around

Growing up healthy

Communicating

Learning about my world

Differences in Development

Early Transitions

Toddlers (16 to 36 Months)

Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines Birth through 3rd Grade April 2021 Update ~~ ~~ The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is now the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Visit [www.dcyf.wa.gov](www.dcyf.wa.gov for early learning)[ for early learning](www.dcyf.wa.gov for early learning), early intervention, and other childhood development information. Thrive by Five Washington is no longer in operation and is now Start Early Washington. Start Early works with public and private partners to promote comprehensive birth-to-five learning experiences for all children in Washington State. Visit their website to learn more ([www.startearly.org/where-we-work/washington/](www.startearly.org/where-we-work/washington/)). The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) oversees public K-12 education [in Washington. Visit](in Washington. Visit www.k12.wa.us)[ www.k12.wa.us](in Washington. Visit www.k12.wa.us) for additional resources. If you have questions about this publication, please email [dcyf.communications@dcyf.wa.gov](dcyf.communications@dcyf.wa.gov). If you would like copies of this document in an alternative format or language, please contact DCYF Constituent Relations (1-800-723-4831 | 360-902-8060, [ConstRelations@dcyf.wa.gov](ConstRelations@dcyf.wa.gov)). DCYF PUBLICATION EL_ 0015 (04-2012, Rev. 04-2021) Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines Birth through 3rd Grade 2012 replaces 2005 Early Learning and Development Benchmarks “I commend the Department of Early Learning, O ce of Superintendent of Public Instruction and 􀀞rive by Five Washington for their leadership, and their tireless e􀀝ort to review and revise the Early Learning and Development Guidelines. 􀀞is was a true group e􀀝ort that united the work of organizations, early learning professionals, communities and cultural organizations that touched every area of the state. 􀀞ese guidelines for our early learners will be a huge bene􀀜tfor our children, as well as parents, early learning professionalsand teachers in Washington for years to come.” Governor Chris Gregoire Washington State Department of Early Learning PO Box 40970 Olympia, WA 98504-0970 Guidelines online: 1 .866 .482 .4325 communications@del .wa .gov [http://www . del .wa .gov/](http://www . del .wa .gov/) [www](www) . del .wa .gov/development/benchmarks/Default . aspx Thank you for using the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines. These guidelines describe behaviors and skills that children may demonstrate birth through grade 3, and how you as a parent or early learning professional can support their healthy development. The Department of Early Learning (DEL), the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Thrive by Five Washington led a process starting in 2010 to review and revise the 2005 Early Learning and Development Benchmarks. For more than a year, parents, early learning providers, K-3 teachers, principals, advocates and representatives from diverse communities around the state helped in this process. We also undertook a broad public outreach effort, receiving helpful comments from more than 400 individuals and organizations. As a result, these Early Learning and Development Guidelines are a research-based resource document that focuses on the early years, which are so important to success in school and life (birth through grade 3) . Several key resources were considered in creating these Guidelines: • Washington’s 2005 Early Learning and Development Benchmarks. • Early learning standards from other states. • Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) program standards. • Our state’s academic learning standards (Grade Level Expectations, or GLEs) for grades K-3 in all subjects, including the newly adopted Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and for Mathematics. (Our state’s academic learning standards focus solely o

FAQs

What do the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines cover?

The guidelines describe behaviors and skills children may demonstrate from birth through grade 3, and how parents and early learning professionals can support children’s healthy development.

How were the guidelines developed and updated?

DEL, OSPI, and Thrive by Five Washington led a review process starting in 2010 to revise the 2005 benchmarks, with input from parents, early learning providers, K-3 teachers, principals, advocates, and community representatives, plus public outreach and comments.

Which sources informed the guidelines?

The guidelines considered the 2005 Early Learning and Development Benchmarks, early learning standards from other states, Head Start and ECEAP program standards, and Washington’s academic learning standards for grades K-3, including Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Aria Callaghan