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Learn about new laws that are causing significant changes in time-limited work rules for SNAP recipients and that impact recipients and increase workload for Minnesota's counties and Tribal Nations.

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Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota's Early Learning Standards

Intro

The early childhood years (from birth to the start of kindergarten) are an important time of growth and learning. Because of the complex and rapid development in young children, a shared set of expectations of what young children can know and do is necessary to build successful early childhood education programs and supports.

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An educator kneels next to a table with young children
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Minnesota’s early learning standards are called the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress, or ECIPs, and are aligned with the kindergarten academic standards. The ECIPs are a tool for early care and education programs to plan curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development activities. The domains of learning addressed in the ECIPs are:

  • Social and Emotional Development
  • Approaches to Learning
  • Language, Literacy and Communications
  • Creativity and the Arts
  • Cognitive Development: Mathematics, Science and Social Systems
  • Physical and Movement Development

ECIPs update

The Early Childhood Indicators of Progress are being updated to ensure they remain relevant, research-based and inclusive for all Minnesota children. Full implementation is scheduled for fall 2028.

The updated ECIPs are also available in Spanish (PDF). Additional translations and supporting documents will be published as they are completed.

Purpose of early learning standards

The ECIPs were developed and revised so that Minnesota’s children are served by teachers and providers with a shared set of expectations. The ECIPs are based on the most recent research and demonstrate a continuum of learning that includes expectations for all children. The framework:

  • Provides a resource for early childhood professionals as they work with young children and their families across the state
  • Supports quality improvement initiatives in early childhood care and education
  • Aligns across the full educational spectrum from birth through secondary levels