Head Start ELOF Alignment
Early Learning Outcomes Framework alignment guide
About the ELOF
The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) describes the skills, behaviors, and knowledge that programs must foster in all children. Countdown2K activities are designed to support all five central domains of the ELOF, ensuring comprehensive school readiness preparation.
Approaches to Learning
Emotional & Behavioral Self-Regulation
ELOF Goals
- •Manages emotions with support
- •Follows limits and expectations
- •Takes care of own needs appropriately
Countdown2K Support
- Calming strategies practice
- Following classroom rules
- Self-help skills activities
Cognitive Self-Regulation
ELOF Goals
- •Maintains focus
- •Persists at tasks
- •Holds information in mind
Countdown2K Support
- Multi-step activity completion
- Challenging puzzles and games
- Memory and sequence activities
Initiative & Curiosity
ELOF Goals
- •Demonstrates flexibility
- •Shows eagerness to learn
- •Uses imagination
Countdown2K Support
- Open-ended exploration
- Daily discovery activities
- Creative problem-solving tasks
Creativity
ELOF Goals
- •Creates using variety of materials
- •Expresses self through art
- •Approaches tasks inventively
Countdown2K Support
- Art projects with various media
- Creative expression activities
- Building and construction play
Social & Emotional Development
Relationships with Adults
ELOF Goals
- •Engages in positive interactions
- •Seeks support when needed
- •Uses adults as resources
Countdown2K Support
- Teacher interaction activities
- Asking for help practice
- Trusting relationship building
Relationships with Other Children
ELOF Goals
- •Engages in cooperative play
- •Develops friendships
- •Resolves conflicts
Countdown2K Support
- Cooperative games
- Partner activities
- Conflict resolution practice
Sense of Identity & Belonging
ELOF Goals
- •Demonstrates self-confidence
- •Recognizes own abilities
- •Identifies as part of groups
Countdown2K Support
- Self-portrait activities
- Celebrating accomplishments
- Classroom community building
Emotional Functioning
ELOF Goals
- •Identifies emotions
- •Expresses feelings appropriately
- •Manages feelings
Countdown2K Support
- Feelings identification
- Emotion vocabulary building
- Self-regulation strategies
Language & Literacy
Attending & Understanding
ELOF Goals
- •Comprehends language
- •Follows directions
- •Engages in conversation
Countdown2K Support
- Story comprehension activities
- Multi-step directions practice
- Discussion and sharing times
Communicating & Speaking
ELOF Goals
- •Uses expanding vocabulary
- •Speaks clearly
- •Uses language for various purposes
Countdown2K Support
- Vocabulary building activities
- Show and tell practice
- Storytelling and retelling
Vocabulary
ELOF Goals
- •Understands new words
- •Uses words in context
- •Connects new words to known words
Countdown2K Support
- Daily vocabulary introduction
- Context-rich activities
- Word association games
Emergent Literacy
ELOF Goals
- •Demonstrates phonological awareness
- •Shows alphabet knowledge
- •Demonstrates emergent writing
Countdown2K Support
- Rhyming and sound activities
- Letter recognition games
- Name writing and tracing
Cognition
Exploration & Discovery
ELOF Goals
- •Observes and describes
- •Compares and categorizes
- •Asks questions
Countdown2K Support
- Nature observation activities
- Sorting and classifying
- Inquiry-based exploration
Memory & Reflection
ELOF Goals
- •Remembers and connects experiences
- •Applies knowledge to new situations
Countdown2K Support
- Memory games
- Making connections activities
- Problem-solving challenges
Reasoning & Problem-Solving
ELOF Goals
- •Seeks solutions
- •Classifies objects
- •Uses symbols
Countdown2K Support
- Puzzle activities
- Pattern work
- Symbolic play
Emergent Mathematical Thinking
ELOF Goals
- •Counts with understanding
- •Recognizes shapes
- •Compares and measures
Countdown2K Support
- Counting activities (1-20)
- Shape recognition games
- Measurement exploration
Perceptual, Motor & Physical Development
Gross Motor
ELOF Goals
- •Moves with coordination
- •Demonstrates balance
- •Participates in physical activity
Countdown2K Support
- Movement breaks
- Gross motor games
- Active play activities
Fine Motor
ELOF Goals
- •Controls small muscles
- •Uses writing tools
- •Manipulates objects with precision
Countdown2K Support
- Scissor skills practice
- Writing and drawing
- Fine motor manipulation activities
Health, Safety & Nutrition
ELOF Goals
- •Performs self-care tasks
- •Follows safety rules
- •Makes healthy choices
Countdown2K Support
- Self-help skills (zipping, buttoning)
- Safety awareness discussions
- Healthy habits activities
Head Start School Readiness Goals
Countdown2K supports programs in meeting Head Start school readiness goals by providing:
- Daily activities aligned to all ELOF domains
- Progress monitoring tools for data collection
- Family engagement resources
- Individualization support for diverse learners
- Transition-focused activities for kindergarten
- Culturally responsive activity options
Documentation & Assessment Support
Use Countdown2K tools to support your Head Start documentation requirements:
- Progress Reports: Track individual child progress across all ELOF domains
- Activity Cards: Document specific activities aligned with school readiness goals
- Readiness Checklist: Assess skills at beginning, middle, and end of program year
- Family Templates: Document family engagement and home-school connection
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