The Challenge
Colorado’s Early Learning and Development Guidelines provide a framework for understanding how children grow and learn from birth through age eight. These guidelines are intended for educators, caregivers, and families to support developmental milestones.
The guidelines are comprehensive but complex, making them difficult to translate into everyday practice. Many caregivers and providers were either unaware of the guidelines or unsure how to apply them. The challenge was simplifying and activating the content so it could be easily understood and used across diverse audiences.
Our Approach
SE2 approached this work through a sustained, multi-year strategy designed to translate Colorado’s Early Learning and Development Guidelines into practical, everyday use for both caregivers and providers.
At the core was an always-on paid media effort that built ongoing awareness and encouraged caregivers to engage with the guidelines over time. This was paired with a user-centered website experience that allowed families to easily explore content tailored to their child’s age, making developmental information feel relevant, timely, and actionable.
To extend impact beyond awareness, SE2 developed toolkits in English and Spanish that equipped providers with resources to better educate and engage parents in early childhood learning. These materials helped bridge the gap between what children need to thrive and how caregivers can support that development at home.
Statewide and niche earned media was used to reach parents and caregivers through parenting sites and news articles.
In parallel, additional resources were created specifically for providers to support the delivery of high-quality early childhood experiences, ensuring the guidelines were not only understood but consistently applied in care settings across Colorado.
The Impact
The Early Learning and Development Guidelines helped establish a shared understanding of child development across Colorado’s early childhood system—aligning providers, educators, and families around common milestones and best practices. By translating research into practical, age-based guidance, the Guidelines supported more consistent, developmentally appropriate care and learning experiences across settings.
Earned media and communications efforts significantly expanded awareness of the Guidelines statewide. Coverage included features on Univision Colorado and Educa Radio, reaching both English- and Spanish-speaking audiences. Social media amplification further extended reach, with key coverage generating over 59,000 impressions, SE2 content adding 15,700+ impressions, and partner shares contributing an additional 19,000+ impressions—driving broad visibility without additional media spend.
