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Connecticut Providers, Parents, and Caregivers joined us for a day of community learning about universal screening and support for families with young children. It’s been two years since the CT Office of Early Childhood joined with state and local partners to make Sparkler (and the mobile Ages & Stages Questionnaires®) available to all Connecticut families with children 0-5 and programs serving those children. At this in-person gathering, we:

  • Learned through play and collaborated with peers; 
  • Workshopped ideas to learn from each other about strategies/tactics that work to support family and community engagement and healthy early childhood development;
  • Discussed progress — across the state and in individual communities; and
  • Inspired action with and on behalf of CT families.

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Download the latest Agenda Here

The most up-to-date agenda has been linked here as a PDF

OPEN AGENDA PDF
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Share what you learn — quotes, photos, surprising facts — to get the word out about Sparkler.

Have you heard of Sparkler?

Sparkler is an app that helps parents and caregivers understand and support their 0-5 year olds’ development. Using Sparkler, you can:

  1. Answer questions about your child and get a report on their growth and development.
  2. Spark learning with fun, science-backed activities to play off screen with your child!
  3. Keep track of your accomplishments together.
  4. Get coaching and tips from experts to help you along the way.

The Sparkler app is FREE for Connecticut families! Learn more and register today with code: CT https://www.playsparkler.org/ct

Check in on your child’s development!

Check in on your child’s development with the Sparkler app! Sparkler is a FREE app that families in Connecticut can use to know more about their child’s early growth and development. Answer questions to get a custom report on your child’s development — and get answers to your questions from expert early childhood educators. Learn more and download Sparkler to your Apple or Android smartphone or tablet today. Register with code CT: playsparkler.org/ct

Spark healthy early development with Sparkler!

The Sparkler app has a library of more than 2,000 play-based learning activities to spark learning during playtime! Each activity was created by early childhood educators to help YOU help your child learn and grow in the early years. This app is FREE for Connecticut families — download it and start learning together with your child today! Use code CT when registering: playsparkler.org/ct

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Sparkler helps families with young children learn through play! At the CT Science Center, experience Sparkler play with special site-specific activities in the 4th floor galleries and across the museum. More information about the specific activities is coming to this website soon!

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More About Sparkler: Sparkler is a mobile family engagement and support tool, which OEC funds through the federal Preschool Development Grant and the American Rescue Plan Act. Sparkler is available for families in English, Spanish, and Chinese for iOS and Android. For providers, Sparkler offers a web-based dashboard, which helps local providers monitor, connect with, and support families.  How parents can sign up for Sparkler: (1) Download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store. (2) On the first step, enter the code CT or a local access code. (3) Create your account and a profile for your 0-5.5 year old child or children.  

More about the CT Office of Early Childhood:  The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood advances a family-centered approach to support young children and families. Integrating early childhood programs formerly administered by five separate state agencies, the OEC serves children each year through child care, pre-K, home visiting, child and youth camp licensing, early intervention, and parenting supports. 

More about 211 Child Development: 211 Child Development is powered by United Way of Connecticut and serves as the access point for the Connecticut Birth to Three System, the Help Me Grow program, Preschool Special Education Services, and Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs program. The team provides information about early intervention services, developmental concerns, managing challenging behaviors, parent education/family support, special education, disability and health related issues.