Help Connecticut Children Get a Strong Start!

Sparkler is available to all Connecticut families with children 0-5 and programs serving those families thanks to the CT Office of Early Childhood. Sparkler’s mobile app is free for Connecticut families to use in English or Spanish, iOS or Android, smartphone or tablet. Use the Access Code CT or another code that your school or provider has provided to you to sign up and link to local resources. Sparkler allows families to: 

  • Know: Understand your child’s development with the mobile Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ)
  • Play: Spark learning with fun, off-screen activities to play together and tips for parents
  • Grow: Follow your child’s progress in your Sparkler scrapbook
  • Connect: Get tips and answers from experts at 211 Child Development or your school/provider

Providers in Connecticut have the option of using Sparkler’s web-based dashboard (for free, thanks to OEC) to engage the families they serve with messaging, screening, co-play activities, and more. 

If you’re a Connecticut-based provider interested in using Sparkler with your families, please fill out this form to get started. If you’re a provider already using Sparkler, please visit our Provider page to access FAQs, materials, and more!

Our new Sparkler activity booklets are designed to preview for families some of what they’ll find in Sparkler: Information on early childhood milestones; information about developmental screening; play activities to grow strong hearts, words, minds, and bodies; and parent tips in Sparkler.

We have eight different versions for families with different ages of children in CT in both English and Spanish: 

Where Is Sparkler In Connecticut?

At the start of 2021, Sparkler was piloting in five communities in the State of Connecticut. Sparkler is now in more than 100 communities across the state in order to help all children get off to a strong start through regular developmental screening, ongoing play-based learning, and connection to local resources. Sparkler is working with:

  • School districts 
  • Early childhood programs
  • Family Resource Centers
  • Community-Based Organizations
  •  Family Child Care 
  • Home Visitors
  • WIC offices
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Birth to Three
  • Help Me Grow CT
  • 211 Child Development (United Way of CT)
  • School Readiness Organizations
  • DCF

How Can I Access Sparkler? 

For Families: Download Sparkler for free from the App Store or the Google Play Store. All families in the state of Connecticut can sign up with the access code CT

If you’re working with a Home Visitor or if your child attends an early childhood program, ask your provider for their Sparkler code so you can link up with them! Families can link with multiple providers by adding additional codes in app settings. 

For Providers:  Fill out this form to get started! If you’re already working with Sparkler in CT, please click here for more information. 

Who’s Behind Sparkler in Connecticut?

The CT Office of Early Childhood provides Sparkler for free to all programs serving children 0-5 years old and to all families with children 0-5. Sparkler is funded through a mix of federal funds. Through Sparkler, OEC is helping families access screening and support from 211 Child Development and local programs/services. This is at the heart of the State’s Help Me Grow work.

When a family uses Sparkler, they can tap into supports available from 211 Child Development and/or their local school or program that they have linked with via Sparkler. 

 

Developmental Screening and Follow Up

Through Sparkler, Connecticut families have universal access to the Ages & Stages Questionnaires, which they can use to check in on their child’s development as well as play prompts and parent tips to help them encourage healthy early development.

Learn more about developmental screening.

After screening, parents or providers can take the next step and access additional evaluations or services if there are questions or concerns. Please learn more about the options available to CT families: