Hi, SF Providers!
From the day new parents bring their baby home from the hospital, they have questions. Sparkler is a mobile app, provided for free by the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood and Support for Families to providers serving families with children 0-5.
On-the-Go Support for Families
For families, Sparkler is a mobile app, in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese on Android/iOS, smartphones and tablets. Families get:
- Developmental screening (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2) to check in on their child’s development.
- A library of 2,000 playful activities created by early childhood educators to help parents and children play off screen to promote learning.
- Connection with professionals — Parents can tap into answers and a network of support from local programs and care coordinators at Support for Families.
Two Ways Providers Can Use Sparkler to Support Families
1. Invite families to Sparkler independently (by registering with the access code SF) to access:
Play-based learning activities
Regular developmental screening and monitoring
Connection with care coordinators at Support for Families
2. Use Sparkler in your program to screen, monitor, engage, and promote healthy early development:
Get a unique Sparkler access code for your program so YOUR families can link with YOU.
Use Sparkler’s web-based dashboard to monitor engagement and progress: download reports and data; and engage with and support families.
Watch our short intro video for potential partner organizations to learn more.
Get this handout in English. Get this handout in Spanish.
Families can download and register for free today.Use a program code to tap into a network of local support.
Screening & Monitoring: Simplified
Sparkler makes the Ages & Stages Questionnaires, which are endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, more equitably accessible. It also offers adaptations of the CDC’s Learn the Signs Act Early milestones to help families monitor children’s development, as well as thousands of parenting tips and fun activities that spark off-line interaction, growth, and learning.
Share Information About Sparkler with Your Families
Share Sparkler with San Francisco Families:
Printable/digital handouts (link)
How to Register (video)
How to Navigate the App (video)
We are creating more materials and translating them into Spanish and Chinese. As we do, we’re adding them to our shared folder.
About Play With Purpose Developmental Playgroups
The SF Department of Early Childhood selected Sparkler + the National Center for Families Learning to work with local organizations in San Francisco to provide developmental playgroups to families with children 0-3 years old with mild to moderate concerns about child development. The playgroups — which launch in fall 2024 — are free for families and available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Activity and Milestone Booklets
Our new Sparkler activity booklets are designed to provide families with a preview of what they’ll find in Sparkler: Information on early childhood milestones; information about developmental screening; play activities to grow strong hearts, words, minds, and bodies; and parent tips in Sparkler.
There are different versions for families with different ages of children in San Francisco in English, Spanish, and Chinese:
What Families Get With Sparkler
KNOW
Monitor your child's learning to develop a better understanding of children’s development from birth through age 5. Get handy tips — just for parents and caregivers of young children!
PLAY
Play-time activity ideas to help parents/caregivers spark learning and connect with children, every day!
GROW
Tools to monitor children's progress in achieving milestones.
CONNECT
Free coaching from child development professionals at Support for Families or from your local program/providers.
Sparkler's Dashboard Helps Providers
Providers can use Sparkler’s web-based partner dashboard to monitor families, engage with families, and download data and reports. Available downloads include:
- Registration and cohort comparisons
- Engagement with play and screening
- Screening summaries
- Family-friendly screening reports
The Best Feature? Being able to access answers and support directly from child development professionals, from home or wherever you are!
Families can download and register for free today.Use a program's code or SF to access a network of San Francisco support.