Resources for Early Education
SoonerStart
What is SoonerStart?
SoonerStart is Oklahoma’s early intervention program designed to meet the needs of families with infants or toddlers (ages birth to 3 years old) with developmental delays and/or disabilities in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The program builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family members to enhance infants or toddler’s learning and development through every day learning opportunities.
HeadStart
What is Head Start?
Head Start programs support children's growth from birth to age 5 through services that support early learning and development, health, and family well-being. The Head Start Preschool services work with families with children ages 3 to 5. While the early Head Start services work with families with children ages birth to 3, and many also serve expectant families.
How to Apply
Talk to your local Head Start program. They’ll help you find out if your child qualifies, give you the forms you need, and tell you what documents you’ll need to submit.
Find a Head Start Program in Oklahoma
Transition
Preschool Transition
Preschool transition simply refers to when a student transitions from an early intervention program such as SoonerStart, child care center, or home based care to the LEA (or school district).
Transition at the Age of 3: Steps for Success
When your child turns three and graduates from SoonerStart, a new adventure begins. As you explore your options beyond SoonerStart, you may consider a Head Start program, a day care center, or your local school district (to name a few). We call this process transition.
Child Guidance
Helps families and caregivers address current concerns and understand their child's developmental needs
Literacy and School Readiness
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - Free books for Children 0 to 5
- Early Birds - A free program that provides information, fun activities and educations toys and books to help your child learn and grow
- Early Learning Resources for Families - A hub of trusted guidance and practical resources built to support your family
- Mind in the Making - Turn story time into skill building time
- PBS for Parents - A hub for parenting info on development and early learning
- Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness - Helps Oklahoma families access the early care and education, family support, and health and mental health services
- Raising a Reader - Literacy tips, guides, and resources on Raising a Reader
- Read Aloud - Family literacy resources that encourage families to read together
- Reach Out and Read - A national pediatric program that promotes early literacy and school readiness by integrating books and reading guidance into well-child visits for children from infancy to age five
- Talking is Teaching - Provides families with fun ways to grow their child's brain
- Tips for Parents of Preschoolers
Parenting Support Resources
Breastfeeding Resources
- Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates (COBA)
- Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center
- Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline 24/7
- Call 1-877-271-6455
- Text OK2BF 61222
- Oklahoma Mothers' Milk Bank
Development Milestones Resources
- The Baby Brain Map: Your Guide to Early Development
- CDC's Milestone Tracker App
- Center on Developing Child - Harvard University
- Child Development Institute - Provides information for child development, psychology, and health
- Mind in the Making - Seven life skills children need to become successful and engaged learners
- Zero to Three - Resources designed to develop their own strategies to promote the growth and development of their child
- HOME - Rainbow Fleet Child Care Resource and Referral
- Child Communication Guidelines
Early Learning Guidelines (DHS Tool)
Parenting Support
- Before the Bell Podcast
- Child Development Institute - Provides information for child development, psychology, health, parenting, learning, and family activities
- Child Guidance Program - Helps families and caregivers address current concerns and understand their child's developmental needs
- Children First Program - Free program for first-time mothers in Oklahoma that provides personal visits with specially trained nurses beginning early in the pregnancy and continuing through the child’s second birthday
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - Parent Resources
- Grandparent Toolkit - Designed to help grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren
- ParentPRO - Supportive parenting education
- Parental Toolbox - A tool box by ParentPro that provides resources and information for various topics
- Pregnancy Resource Navigator - Locate resources in Oklahoma designed to help you before, during and after pregnancy
- Oklahoma Warmline - A phone service offering free peer support and resources for caregivers with children from birth to 13 as they grow and develop.
- SafeCare: A Program of NorthCare - An in-home parenting program designed to support families with young children (ages 0-5)
- Toolkit for New Dads
- WIC - A nutrition education and supplemental food program for women, infant, and children
Resources by County
Tulsa County
- Safe Kids - Tulsa - Child car seat checks, bicycle safety, and water safety
- Tulsa Family Connects -FREE program for residents of Tulsa County that provides in-home nurse visits to new parents of babies born at Hillcrest Medical Center (main), Saint Francis, and OSU Medical Center, regardless of income.
Oklahoma County
- Parents as Teachers - Oklahoma City Public Schools
- Ready for Kindergarten - Oklahoma City Public Schools
- Safe Kids Oklahoma - Car seats and car seat safety, bicycle and pedestrian safety, ATV safety, and water safety
