---
title: Home
description: Discover the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines, a valuable resource for parents and educators.
---

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- Age-Level Continuum 
    - [Infants (Birth - 12 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/infants)
    - [Younger Toddlers (8-21 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/young-toddler)
    - [Older Toddlers (18-36 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-toddler)
    - [Younger Preschooler (33-48 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler)
    - [Older Preschooler (45-60+ months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-preschoolers)
    - [Transition to Kindergarten](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/transition-to-kindergarten)
- Learning Domains 
    - [Approaches to Learning](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning)
    - [Social Development & Emotional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/social-emotional-development)
    - [Communication, Language, & Literacy](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/communication-language-literacy)
    - [Cognitive Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/cognitive-development)
    - [Health & Physical Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/health-physical-development)
    - [Appendix A: Supporting Children With Disabilities](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-a-supporting-children-with-disabilities)
    - [Appendix B: Supporting Dual Language Learners](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-b)
- About 
    - [Purpose, Children’s Success & Working Together](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sd-stepahead)
    - [Guiding Principles](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/guiding-principles)
    - [SDELG Organization](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/sdlg-organization)
    - [Using SDStepAhead](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sdstepahead)
    - [Glossary](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead)
    - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/faqs)
- [Find Services](https://sdstepahead.com/find-services)
- [Professional Development & Resources](https://sdstepahead.com/resources)
- [Contact](https://sdstepahead.com/contact)

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[![SD Step Ahead Logo](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StepAhead-Logo-Color.png?width=858&height=194&name=StepAhead-Logo-Color.png)](https://sdstepahead.com/?hsLang=en)

- Age-Level Continuum 
    - [Infants (Birth - 12 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/infants)
    - [Younger Toddlers (8-21 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/young-toddler)
    - [Older Toddlers (18-36 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-toddler)
    - [Younger Preschooler (33-48 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler)
    - [Older Preschooler (45-60+ months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-preschoolers)
    - [Transition to Kindergarten](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/transition-to-kindergarten)
- Learning Domains 
    - [Approaches to Learning](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning)
    - [Social Development & Emotional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/social-emotional-development)
    - [Communication, Language, & Literacy](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/communication-language-literacy)
    - [Cognitive Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/cognitive-development)
    - [Health & Physical Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/health-physical-development)
    - [Appendix A: Supporting Children With Disabilities](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-a-supporting-children-with-disabilities)
    - [Appendix B: Supporting Dual Language Learners](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-b)
- About 
    - [Purpose, Children’s Success & Working Together](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sd-stepahead)
    - [Guiding Principles](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/guiding-principles)
    - [SDELG Organization](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/sdlg-organization)
    - [Using SDStepAhead](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sdstepahead)
    - [Glossary](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead)
    - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/faqs)
- [Find Services](https://sdstepahead.com/find-services)
- [Professional Development & Resources](https://sdstepahead.com/resources)
- [Contact](https://sdstepahead.com/contact)

![ ](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Remediation%202026/kids-hero-home-45.jpg?width=300&name=kids-hero-home-45.jpg)

# SD Step Ahead

## About Us

This website is devoted to children, recognizing that learning begins from birth and continues through experiences, exploration, interactions, and attention. It emphasizes the importance of equipping children with the tools they need to excel even before they enter kindergarten. The first step toward achieving this goal is through our own education. Throughout the site, you'll discover developmentally appropriate goals for children at different age levels—infant, toddler, and preschooler. You'll also find practical ideas to support children in reaching their full potential at each stage of development. Research underscores that children who receive quality care and education are not only better prepared for school but also for success throughout their lives.

The Early Learning Guidelines are designed to be useful to a broad range of educational professionals, including parents. In this document, adults can refer to anyone who works with and cares for children: teachers, caregivers, early childhood educators, early interventionists, home visitors, parents, etc. The document also refers to “children” generically, which is intended to include infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children.

> **The greatest invention in the world is the mind of a child. ~~Thomas Edison**

 

 

[![Cover page of the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Screenshot%202023-11-01%20102158.png?width=293&height=216&name=Screenshot%202023-11-01%20102158.png)](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/SDEarlyLearning-2024-web.pdf?hsLang=en)

[Download a copy of the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines here](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/SDEarlyLearning-2024-web.pdf?hsLang=en)

 

[Dedication](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/Dedication.pdf?hsLang=en)

[**Acknowledgements**](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/PDF%20Files/Acknowledgements.pdf?hsLang=en)

## Explore by Age Group

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Remediation%202026/infant-500.jpg?width=500&height=334&name=infant-500.jpg)

### Infants (Birth - 12 Months)

[Learn more about Infants](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/infants?hsLang=en)

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Remediation%202026/younger-toddler-500.jpg?width=500&height=334&name=younger-toddler-500.jpg)

### Younger Toddlers (8-21 months)

[Learn more about young toddlers](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/young-toddler?hsLang=en)

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Remediation%202026/older-toddler-500.jpg?width=500&height=334&name=older-toddler-500.jpg)

### Older Toddlers (18-36 months)

[Learn more about Older Toddlers](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-toddler?hsLang=en)

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Remediation%202026/younger-preschool-500.jpg?width=500&height=334&name=younger-preschool-500.jpg)

### Younger Preschoolers (33-48 Months)

[Learn more about Young Preschoolers](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler?hsLang=en)

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Remediation%202026/older-preschool-500.jpg?width=500&height=334&name=older-preschool-500.jpg)

### Older Preschoolers (45-60+ months)

[Learn more about older preschoolers](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-preschoolers?hsLang=en)

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Remediation%202026/transition-500.jpg?width=500&height=334&name=transition-500.jpg)

### Transition to Kindergarten

[Learn more about transition to kindergarten](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/transition-to-kindergarten?hsLang=en)

[![Return to SD Step Ahead Supporting Early Learners](https://44290554.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hub/44290554/hubfs/Home%20Page%20-%20Main/Logo/StepAhead-Logo-Stacked-White.png?width=250&name=StepAhead-Logo-Stacked-White.png)](https://sdstepahead.com/?hsLang=en)

 

Our mission is to promote healthy child development by educating, inspiring and assisting parents and caregivers.

SD Step Ahead is a comprehensive early childhood initiative made possible by the South Dakota Department of Education.

- [Find Services by County](https://sdstepahead.com/find-services)
- [SD Head Start Collaboration Office](https://doe.sd.gov/headstart/)
- [SD Department of Education](https://doe.sd.gov/)
- [SD Professional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/SD%20Early%20Childhood%20PD%20Opportunities%20(updated).pdf?hsLang=en)
- [HeadStart.gov](https://headstart.gov/)

© 2026 SD StepAhead | All Rights Reserved

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