Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS)

---

The Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS) recently went through a collaborative revision engaging partners across the Kansas early childhood education community. It was firmly grounded in evidence and developmentally appropriate educational practices. 

The Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS) is a document that provides information and guidance to early childhood providers and teachers, including early primary grade teachers, on the developmental continuum of learning for children from birth through kindergarten.  

The KELS provide information regarding what young children should know and be able to do as a result of engagement with caring knowledgeable adults, evidence-based curriculum, and developmentally appropriate activities. It is a dynamic resource that providers and teachers can use as they plan activities, choose and implement curriculum, and engage in conversations with young children and their families around early learning. It is important to remember that standards are not to be used as an assessment tool, but rather as a cornerstone to support adults in making appropriate instructional decisions that will benefit our youngest learners.