Ages 3 to 5 - English Language Development Guidelines

The English Language Development area, also called a “domain” in the Guidelines, describes skills for children who are “English language learners” (ELL). Similar to those learning their first (native) language, children who are learning English as a second language understand more English at first than they can speak or write. This includes children’s “receptive skills,” or their ability to understand spoken English, as well as children’s expressive skills, or their ability to speak English. 

The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines describe a variety of the types of skills children may show over time as they learn English. As children slowly learn more English, they will be able to express themselves in English more often. 

The English Language Development domain also describes the types of literacy (reading and writing) activities that support ELL students in learning language. However, children should still continue to develop the ability to communicate well in their home language because such skills provide a foundation for learning English.