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California's Universal PreKindergarten @CAUniversalPreK

Giving every student in California a great start by expanding the state's early education system for 3- and 4-year-old children. #CAGreatStart

Joined September 2022
  • Tweets 614
  • Following 144
  • Followers 248
549 Photos and videos
Fun Friday is bursting with sunshine! Help your child paint an Eric Carle–inspired sun, using bright colors and textures to celebrate creativity and joy. Let us know: What colors would your child choose for their very own sunshine art? 🌞
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🎨 Join a FREE virtual Early STEAM Summer Symposium! Explore “The Role of the Arts in Early STEAM” with keynotes 7 breakout sessions. 🗓 June 26, 9–2 PT 🎁 Free book for first 970 U.S. registrants 👉 Register: bit.ly/4cqzeLt
The California Early Math Project Presents: Early STEAM Summer Symposium - The Role of Arts in Early STEAM June 26, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (PST)

ALT The California Early Math Project Presents: Early STEAM Summer Symposium - The Role of Arts in Early STEAM June 26, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (PST)
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Check out these 10 fun, hands-on ways to twist, bead, bend, and build with pipe cleaners that help strengthen little fingers and fine motor muscles. Watch this short video of simple ideas you can try at home or in the classroom!
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Watch this short video to see what’s new in the DRDP (2025) and how it supports inclusive, research-aligned assessment for your program! Visit the California Department of Education’s DRDP page to learn more! cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/desiredr…
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Let's empower our little learners to take the lead with their very own choice board! Introduce a visual menu of activities so children can decide how they’d like to play, learn, and explore—building independence, confidence, and decision-making skills along the way!
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Looking for a preK curriculum that benefits your students? Explore EdReports’ in-depth reviews to see how different programs measure up and find what works best for your classroom! Start here: edreports.org/reports?grades… Remember, more reviews are in the works!
EdReports PreK Curriculum Review Guide: Learn how EdReports pre-K curriculum reviews work, how reports are structured, and how ratings are determined for early education materials. What are EdReports Pre-K Curriculum Reviews? EdReports pre-K reviews are grounded in research and offer an independent, educator-informed evaluation of the quality of early childhood instructional materials. They're designed to help teachers and leaders make local curriculum decisions. Image: Teacher sitting at table completing a puzzle with three children.

ALT EdReports PreK Curriculum Review Guide: Learn how EdReports pre-K curriculum reviews work, how reports are structured, and how ratings are determined for early education materials. What are EdReports Pre-K Curriculum Reviews? EdReports pre-K reviews are grounded in research and offer an independent, educator-informed evaluation of the quality of early childhood instructional materials. They're designed to help teachers and leaders make local curriculum decisions. Image: Teacher sitting at table completing a puzzle with three children.
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NEW RESOURCE ALERT! The UPK Curriculum Evaluation and Implementation Toolkit is here! Download now: cauniversalprek.org/resource…
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There is so much to celebrate this month! Check out the monthly, weekly, and daily observances we've shared, add them to your calendar, and start your celebrations!
Monthly Observances: June National Immigrant Heritage Month Great Outdoors Month Pride Month National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month National Safety Month Men's Health Month

ALT Monthly Observances: June National Immigrant Heritage Month Great Outdoors Month Pride Month National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month National Safety Month Men's Health Month

Weekly Observances: June Step Parents Week (6/1/26-6/7/26) National Gardening Week (6/7/26-6/13/26) National Flag Week (6/14/26-6/20/26) Deafblind Awareness Week (6/25/26-7/1/26)

ALT Weekly Observances: June Step Parents Week (6/1/26-6/7/26) National Gardening Week (6/7/26-6/13/26) National Flag Week (6/14/26-6/20/26) Deafblind Awareness Week (6/25/26-7/1/26)

Daily Observances: June World Environment Day: 6/5/26 National Flag Day: 6/14/26 Juneteenth: 6/19/26

ALT Daily Observances: June World Environment Day: 6/5/26 National Flag Day: 6/14/26 Juneteenth: 6/19/26
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SPOTLIGHT ON! The Tulare County Council on Child & Youth Development hosted its 17th Annual Legislative Event, spotlighting how partnerships can address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and improve lifelong health. Learn more: tularecountykids.org
Image: collage including 3 women on the top left, a brochure from the Tulare County Office of Education that says "Give your child a strong start!", and an image of the group that presented at this event.

ALT Image: collage including 3 women on the top left, a brochure from the Tulare County Office of Education that says "Give your child a strong start!", and an image of the group that presented at this event.
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This Fun Friday, spark creativity and planning with Play Doh! Ask your child what they’ll make and how they’ll do it. If they get stuck, ask, “What could you try next?” to support them in planning, problem-solving, and communication! 🌟 #FunFriday #UPK
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📚✨ Play-based learning WORKS and leads to INCREASED LEARNING! #UPK programs should embrace a full spectrum of play from self-directed free play to educator-guided activities! Play isn't just FUN. It's a foundation for lifelong learning! 🧠💡
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This Fine Motor Monday, check out 35 tried and true fine motor muscle development activities! Read more here: napacentre.com.au/fine-motor… What are your favorite fine motor activities?
35 Fine Motor Skills Activities: The Ultimate List by an OT Image: Adult with child manipulating an object in her hands.

ALT 35 Fine Motor Skills Activities: The Ultimate List by an OT Image: Adult with child manipulating an object in her hands.

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Watch this short video from Kern County Superintendent of Schools to learn more about the importance of social and emotional development in early learning and care programs! youtu.be/NpkEy4pye9g?si=1J4C…
"Children are not born with self-regulation skills. It is through warm, nurturing, and responsive experiences and interactions with supportive adults and teachers that these skills are developed." Images: Children doing follow-along dance in the classroom, children building with blocks, one child in the dramatic play kitchen area, teacher reading a book to the class.

ALT "Children are not born with self-regulation skills. It is through warm, nurturing, and responsive experiences and interactions with supportive adults and teachers that these skills are developed." Images: Children doing follow-along dance in the classroom, children building with blocks, one child in the dramatic play kitchen area, teacher reading a book to the class.
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Today's Fun Friday activity is all about emotions! 💖 Read books that explore how to recognize feelings and learn simple ways to calm and regulate ourselves when things feel overwhelming. Let's create a mix of reflection, creativity, and fun as we learn and grow together! 🌈✨
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We’re excited to spotlight Jessica Kite and her warm, high-quality family child care home program featured in this video from the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network! Watch here: youtu.be/oZ9mjMboYjU?si=dmYe…
"Being a mother, I know how challenging it is to find a provider you're able to trust to leave your children with, but I'm happy to be that person." -Jessica Kite, Kite Family Daycare, Napa, CA Image: Jessica Kite of Kite Family Daycare and a few images of children in her daycare.

ALT "Being a mother, I know how challenging it is to find a provider you're able to trust to leave your children with, but I'm happy to be that person." -Jessica Kite, Kite Family Daycare, Napa, CA Image: Jessica Kite of Kite Family Daycare and a few images of children in her daycare.
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This Fine Motor Monday, we’re spotlighting the Physical Development domain from the PTKLF! Dive deeper into ideas for strengthening children’s manipulative skills so early learning and care classrooms can better support growing hands!
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Let's learn conflict resolution skills! Download the Solution Card deck (available in classroom or home edition) to help children practice problem-solving skills like sharing, taking turns, and asking for help in age-appropriate ways. Download here: bit.ly/42iiO2Z
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Hear directly from Universal PreKindergarten families as they share different parts of the day their children LOVE in their early learning and care programs!
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Read the research brief, "The Pedagogy of Early Learning," from the Center on Early Learning Success (CELS): bit.ly/4tAiish Register for the 1st session of CELS Office Hours on 5/20! Engage in discussion on how play is both purposeful and rigorous: bit.ly/4tzPyjw
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💖This article from the NAEYC webpage, "Promoting Powerful Interactions Between Parents and Children,"describes how The Powerful Interactions Framework revolutionizes how we connect with young children! Read more: bit.ly/4jn16CR
Universal PreKindergarten and NAEYC Promoting Powerful Interactions Between Parents and Children 1. Be Present: Give your child your full attention. 2. Connect: Observe what your child is doing, listen, and let them know you're interested. 3. Extend Learning: Make connections, ask questions, and find activities to do together to expand the learning experience. Image: Caregivers interacting with preschool-age children.

ALT Universal PreKindergarten and NAEYC Promoting Powerful Interactions Between Parents and Children 1. Be Present: Give your child your full attention. 2. Connect: Observe what your child is doing, listen, and let them know you're interested. 3. Extend Learning: Make connections, ask questions, and find activities to do together to expand the learning experience. Image: Caregivers interacting with preschool-age children.
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