In the following dropdowns, you will find a variety of resources and links to various organizations and agencies that support early childhood care and education in New Mexico. Please note that these links will take you to external websites. On the right side bar, there are various hotlines and crisis numbers listed for easy access.
Resources for COVID-19 / Coronavirus
The NMDOH continues to ask all persons returning from travel to China and now South Korea to call our 24/7/365 “Epidemiology Hotline” at 1-855-600-3453 (toll free) or 505-827-0006 for guidance on how to protect yourself and your community from the novel coronavirus, even if you are not sick.
- NM Department of Health COVID-19
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 in the U.S.
- Coronavirus: What Child Care Providers Need to Know
- American Academy of Pediatrics - Protecting Your Family From Coronavirus (Covid-19)
- PBS - How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
- When is Too Sick for School (video)
- ¿Cuando Está Demasiado Enfermo Su Hijo(a) para Ir a la Escuela? (video)
- Coronavirus Updates and Resources for Child Care Providers and CCR&Rs
- How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus
- Office of Head Start: Coronavirus Prevention and Response
Home Learning Activities
Cooking / Crafts / Outdoors
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Mother Cloud
Sensory recipes you can make using common household ingredients
English
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The Kennedy Center
Doodling lessons with Mo Willems. Video and printable activity sheets.
English
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Scholastics
Scholastic has created a free learn-from-home site with 20+ days of learning and activities.
English and Spanish
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Highlight Kids
Recipes and crafts to do at home with your children, jokes to lighten the mood, and other games.
English
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Prescription Trails
Walking Trails in the Las Cruces area.
English
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All Trails
Walking Trails in your area. Available as an app as well.
English
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Raddish Kids
Raddish Kids is a culinary subscription and cooking club for children. Free recipes that can be made with pantry staples, at home cooking camp curriculum, and daily cook activities.
English
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Seattle Time
23 Fun Activities for toddlers and preschool kids
English
Math / Literacy / STEM
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Twinkl
Parents’ Hub contains hundreds of educational activities designed for use at home.
Offering the teachers and parents of children in schools which are closed, or facing closure, free access to all Twinkl resources for a period of one month in the first instance.
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Manga High
MATH focus, offering education activities, games, and quizzes for a wide range of children in multiple languages. Offering a free trial.
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Education Perfect
A rich library of curriculum-aligned lessons and assessments across the subject areas. Content is carefully scaffolded to allow all students to experience success, while providing rich opportunities for higher order thinking.
EP is actively supporting schools from over 30 countries around the world disrupted by COVID-19. Due to the on-going changing landscape, EP is providing free and unlimited access to all schools until 1st May.English
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Mystery Science
Offering a starter science list of activities to do at Home. Teacher and Parent Sign-Up
English
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Age of Learning
Age of Learning provides schools closed due to the coronavirus with free home access for all affected families to leading digital education programs (ABCMouse, Adventure Academy, ReadingIQ)
English
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Geez Ween
Free journaling prompts for teens
English
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Ranger Rick
Free online magazine subscription. Science and Nature activities for children to do while home during school closures.
English
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77 Simple Science Activities
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We Are Teachers
Math games using regular playing cards
English
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Star Fall
Free program that teaches children to read. Connected with Common Core Standards
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Splash Brain
K-5 based math programs online. Free for families and programs.
English
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Storyline Online
Children's books read aloud on video
English only
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Cool Math 4 Kids
Math games, manipulatives, brain teasers, printable flash cards, quizzes, lessons, etc.
English
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Math Game Time
Math games and homework help online.
English
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Unite for Literacy
Narrated books, mostly nonfiction
15 languages
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Literactive
Guided reading and downloadable activities
English
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Science for Kids
Math and science games, experiments, and more.
English
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Switch Zoo
Animal games and teacher resources
English
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What Do We Do All Day
Books, resources, games, and activities
English
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Ideas prácticas para la enseñanza del niño preescolar
Articulos en espanol sobre diferentes areas de interes de la edad temprana Ciencias, Matematicas, arte, Musica, ideas para participacion familiar.
Spanish
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Find Opportunities to Play with Math! Ages 0-8
Articles with ideas of math games and activities that range in level of skills.
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Audible
Audiobooks and stories for all ages. Free trial.
English
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123 Homeschool
A variety of activities for preschool to school age children.
English
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24 At Home Learning Activities to Share with Parents
English
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The San Diego Zoo
Free pages for children filled with educational activities related to animals and the environment; includes games, videos, and virtual stories.
English
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National Geographic
Access to National Geographic resources for kids.
English
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Mystery Doug
A starter list of K-5 science lessons videos with explanation and activities that follow.
English
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Squiggle Park
Raising reading skills, support ELL students through games designed to support their specific needs.
English and Spanish
Organization
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Family Time Machine by Toyota
A collection of fun activities to do with families. Categorized by time of the day such as: bed time, dinner time, bath time, etc. Helping families make the most out of their days.
English
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GoGuardian
Management tools for virtual classrooms.
English
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Khan Academy
Free online platform that offers daily learning schedules, links to other online sources, and activities. Provides families with a daily learning schedule for their children to use while at home.
English
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Microsoft Education
Microsoft Teams: How to set up a virtual classroom using a shared page
English
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Zoom
Virtual Meeting: Teacher and programs can use this to conduct meetings
English
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125 Ideas de actividades para hacer en casa
Spanish
Health and Safety
Keeping Your Baby Safe
- Keep my Children Safe
- The Baby Safe Project
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Handle with Care: Help Prevent Non-accidental Trauma
- Crying! Just doing what comes naturally
- UNM Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention and Awareness Program
- Tips and Resources For Parents on How to Calm a Crying Baby
- Safe to Sleep - National Institute of Health
- UNM Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention and Awareness Program
- Charlie's Kids - Educating Families About SIDS and Safe Sleep
Health and Wellness
- New Mexico Department of Health
- New Mexico Immunization Exemption Statute (24-5-3)
- Healthy Children - American Academy of Pediatrics
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- New Mexico Environment Department Resources
- UNM New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center
- New Mexico Department of Health: Healthy Kids New Mexico
- Children’s Medical Services
- The National Program for Playground Safety
- Healthy Child Care America
- A School Nurse's Guide to Kids' Health and Safety
Nutrition
- ECECD’s Family Nutrition Bureau
- Summer Food Service Program
- USDA Choose MyPlate
- USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center
- Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
- Team Nutrition - Child Nutrition for Families and Caregivers
- Lifecycle Nutrition - Information for Nutrition During Pregnancy through Teen Years
- Food Safety Guidelines
Product Safety
- Keep my Children Safe
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission Safety Guides
- Good Toys for Young Children by Age and Stage
- Choosing Safe Baby Products
- Toy and Product Recall Finder
- SafeKids Product Recalls
- Safe to Sleep - Crib Information Center
- Child Ready Home Safety Tool
Food Allergy
- Food Allergy Research & Education
- Ingredient Labels
- Food Allergy Emergency Plan
- Allergy Ready Course
Transportation Safety
Family and Community Support
Find Support
- Support for Parents
- Tips for Parents
- Child Care Assistance - Am I Eligible Tool
- Universal Application to Public Assistance - YES NM
- Health Care Support – Community Health Workers
- Find a Home Visiting Program to support you and your baby or toddler
- Fathers New Mexico
- Parents Reaching Out - Family Advocacy and Support
- When a Child Bites
- Maternal Child Health Postpartum Support NM
- New Mexico Crisis and Access
Child Development
- Act Early, CDC - Concerned About Your Child's Development
As a parent, you know your child best. If your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or if you think there could be a problem with the way your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves talk to your child’s doctor and share your concerns. Don’t wait. Acting early can make a real difference!
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for general development using standardized, validated tools at 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months and for autism at 18 and 24 months or whenever a parent or provider has a concern.
If you or the doctor thinks there might be a delay, ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist who can do a more in-depth evaluation of your child.
Please look below for tools related to milestones, screenings, and organizations and tools that can help if you have concerns about your child's development.
Developmental Tools and Apps
- Milestone Tracker
- Text for Baby (personalized health information for you and baby)
- Vroom App
- Bright by Text
Developmental Screenings
- Birth To 5: Watch Me Thrive! A Compendium Of Screening Measures For Young Children
- Screening Passport
- Developmental Screening Tools
Developmental Milestones - Physical and Cognitive
- CDC - Act Early Developmental Milestones
- New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines
- Making Moments Matter Parent Guide
- Public Education Department Family Guide
- DOH First Year book and video series
- DOH Toddler Years book and video series
- Everyday Steps to Reading and Writing
- Reading Milestones, Birth to Third Grade, PBS.org
Developmental Milestones - Social Emotional
- New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines
- Social and Emotional Health
- Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning - Family Resources
Developmental Intervention and Support
- Early Intervention for Early Childhood Developmental Concerns (FIT Program)
- Child Find List by School District - Preschool Screenings
- Public Education Department Special Education
- Children’s Medical Services
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for Early Childhood
- UNM Center for Development and Disability (CDD)
- Zero to Three – Early Learning
- New Mexico School for the Deaf
- New Mexico School for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Quality Child Care for Your Child
- Child Care Search
- Choosing Quality Child Care for your Children
- The National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for Families
- Childcare.gov Resources for New Mexico
- New Mexico PreK (3 and 4 year olds)
- ECECD New Mexico PreK Program
- PED New Mexico PreK Program
- Child Care Aware of America
- A High Quality Program for Your Preschooler
Criminal Background Checks
- NM Court Case Lookup
- NM Sex Offender Registry
- US Department of Justice National Sex Offender Search
- New Mexico Department of Public Safety-Criminal History Records
- (Note: There is a fee associated with this search. The provider must agree to and sign the form for a search to be conducted. You should be concerned if the provider refuses to sign the form, or, questions the reason why.)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Identity History Summary Checks
Early Childhood Agencies
New Mexico Agencies
- NM State Government Agencies
- NM State Legislature
- NM Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD)
- Am I Eligible - Application for Child Care Assistance
- New Mexico Public Education Department
- New Mexico Department of Health – Maternal and Child Health Program
- NM DOH Family Infant Toddler Program
- Early Learning New Mexico
- New Mexico Voices for Children.
- New Mexico Association for Infant Mental Health
- New Mexico Child Care and Early Education Association
- New Mexico Head Start Association
- NM County Vital Records
- Parents Reaching Out - Family Advocacy and Support
- New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children
- Center for Development and Disability
- Family Development Program
- New Mexico Immunization Coalition
- New Mexico Out of School Time Network
- Cooperative Extension Services - County Extension Map
National Agencies
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Office of Child Care
- Office of Head Start
- US Department of Education
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- ChildCare Aware of America
- Zero-to-Three
- National Association for Family Child Care
- NCCA (National Child Care Association)
- Center on the Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
- The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA Center)
- Annie E. Casey Foundation
- Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
- Division for Early Childhood
- Harvard Center for the Developing Child
- Children’s Defense Fund
- National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health
- Office of Special Education Programs
- Mother Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting
- PromotePrevent - Safe Schools and Healthy Communities Technical Assistance
Early Care and Education Resources
Resources for Caregivers and Educators
- Am I Eligible Tool (application for Child Care Assistance)
- Child Care Search
- Public Education Department Family Guide
- Everyday Steps to Reading and Writing
- Reading Milestones, Birth to Third Grade, PBS.org
- New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines
- New Mexico Early Learning Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
- NM Early Childhood Higher Education Task Force
- Guiding Principles for the Full Participation of Young Children, Birth through Age Eight, in New Mexico’s Early Learning System
- UNM Family Development Program
- NM State Child Care Regulations
- Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
- Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
- The National Professional Development Center on Inclusion (NPDCI)
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- 17a Exemption for Employees Under the Fair Labor Standards Act
- Daycare Centers and Preschools Under FLSA
Quality Child Care
- Child Care Resource Materials
- Choosing Quality Child Care
- New Mexico PreK
- NM FOCUS: Essential Elements of Quality for Center-Based Child Care Programs
- NM FOCUS: Elementos Esenciales de Calidad Para Programas de Cuidados Infantiles Familiares (BORRADOR)
- NM FOCUS: Essential Elements of Quality for Family Child Care Programs (DRAFT)
- Indicators of Quality Child Care
- Parents’ Guide to Quality Care
- Choosing Quality Child Care for your Children
