Virginia ELDS Birth Five Learning Guidelines

Dramatic Play A type of play in which children assign and enact roles through imitation and imaginative pretend activities. Early Intervention A term used to describe programs and services for infants and young children, particularly those with special needs or developmental delays. Early intervention programs may include speech and physical therapy, education services, family support, and nutritional and health services to promote age- appropriate development. Educator An adult who is responsible for providing direct care and/or teaching to one or more children, regardless of program setting (e.g., family day homes, child care, or school-based); *includes licensed or unlicensed lead and assistant teachers/paraeducators, early childhood specialists/interventionists, coaches, etc. (*not an exhaustive list) English Learners Children whose first or heritage language is not English and who do not yet exhibit proficiency in English at a level comparable to their native English speaking peers. Education Equity Eliminating the predictability of student outcomes based on race, gender, zip code, ability, socioeconomic status or languages spoken at home. (VDOE. Adapted from the National Equity Project. Educational Equity Definition.) Executive Function A group of mental skills that assist a child with flexible thinking, self-control, and planning. Expressive Language The use of words, gestures, and writing to communicate information and ideas to others. Fine Arts Music, dance, dramatic arts, visual arts, and media practiced primarily for their aesthetic value and beauty; activities for young children’s self-expression. Fine Motor Development The ability to coordinate the small muscle movements of the fingers, hands, feet, toes, lips, and tongue as demonstrated through actions like grasping and cutting with scissors.

Flexibility Ability to shift focus and/or adapt behavior to changing contexts. Gross Motor Development The ability to coordinate the large muscle movements of the whole body, arms, feet, and legs through activities like running, climbing, and jumping. Guided Dramatic Play Dramatic or pretend play activity in which an adult provides connections between the child’s or children’s play and a particular concept, skill, or learning goal. Head Start A federally-funded, comprehensive child development program that serves low-income preschool-aged children and their families to increase school readiness and improve learning outcomes. Imagination The process of producing and/or expressing mental images that are not present to the senses. Such mental images may reflect real or fanciful experiences or materials. Inclusion All individuals have equal access to opportunities and resources. Indicator A general statement that shows the knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes a child may display during a specific developmental stage. Inhibitory Control The ability to inhibit emotional reactivity and motor responses. Initiative Taking the first step towards an action or interaction. Language Spoken or written human communication; a specific system of spoken or written communication used by a specific country or cultural group. Listening The ability to receive, understand, and act on verbal and non-verbal messages. Measurement The use of tools to determine the size, quantity, and/or capacity of objects.

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