Skip to Main Content

Virtual Early Learning Highway for Young Children

Teacher reading a book to a group of small children

A collaborative effort by the Florida Institute of Education at the University of North Florida, Early Learning Coalition of Duval, Alliance for Jacksonville Early Learning and UNF Crawford Distinguished Professor Fund

The Virtual Early Learning Highway for Young Children, a free, online resource available to assist families in helping their young children continue to learn while being at home due to COVID-19 is launching Wednesday, April 1.  

This resource is the result of a collaborative partnership by the Florida Institute of Education at the University of North Florida, Early Learning Coalition of Duval, Alliance for Jacksonville Early Learning, and the Crawford Early Childhood Research and Education Distinguished Professor Fund. 

Parents and teachers are being called on to develop ways to help children continue learning while being at home, yet children from birth to age five do not have the support infrastructure found in the K-12 sector. This limited infrastructure has placed an extraordinary burden on families as some do not have access to computers or tablets. 

The Virtual Early Learning Highway for Young Children can be viewed by anyone, at any time, on any internet capable device or mobile phone – a technology platform that dramatically increases accessibility for more families and young children.  

Key purposes of the Virtual Early Learning Highway are to: 

  1. Provide families with daily learning-focused activities that they can do with their 3- and 4-year old children Monday through Friday – designed to foster early literacy and learning success by promoting a learning mindset at home.
  2. Help 3- and 4-year old children continued to feel connected and nurtured while a significant part of their routine has been disrupted.

The Virtual Early Learning Highway for YoungChildren can be accessed at www.unf.edu/fie/. Users can click on the “road markers” to access videos, routines and activities. Every week, families will have a unique daily plan that includes seven different road-marker activities to watch and complete with their children.

The Early Learning Coalition of Duval

The Early Learning Coalition of Duval (ELC) is Jacksonville’s first stop for early learning through collaborative leadership that ensures: all children receive high quality care and learning, all families have the support they need for their children to succeed, and all children are ready for their academic and lifelong success. More information at www.elcduval.org .

Alliance for Jacksonville Early Learning

Hosted by the Early Learning Coalition of Duval, Alliance for Jacksonville Early Learning (AJEL) members include Community Foundation, Duval County Public Schools, Episcopal Children’s Services, Florida Institute of Education at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville Public Library, Kids Hope Alliance, Lutheran Services Head Start, Mayor’s Office, City of Jacksonville, United Way of Northeast Florida, and citizens who advocate for high-quality learning opportunities in our city.

The Florida Institute of Education at the University of North Florida

The Florida Institute of Education at the University of North Florida (FIE) provides statewide leadership to improve education at all levels by working collaboratively with Florida’s universities, community colleges, public schools, school readiness agencies, and communities. FIE works with partners to address critical educational needs, support innovation, and engage in problem-focused research to enhance achievement for all students – especially those at-risk. More information at www.unf.edu/fie/ .