How to Get GELDS Materials Free (Georgia Preschool Standards)

Introduction

When I first posted our GELDS box with free preschool curriculum materials on social media, I kept getting the same question: “How did you get that?”

Most parents don’t realize that some states offer free early childhood resources—and Georgia is one of them!

The Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) were created to support children from birth through preschool. While many assume these resources are only for licensed educators, the truth is that any parent (in Georgia or beyond) can access them to support learning at home.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to order the physical GELDS lesson planning materials step-by-step, what’s included in your shipment, and how we use them in our unschooling/homeschool journey.

I’ll also share tips from my years of teaching preschool and why these resources are absolutely worth the little dollars you’ll spend on shipping.

📌Make sure you check out my YouTube video where I screen-record the ordering process and unbox our latest shipment so you know exactly what to expect.

What Are GELDS? (And Why Families Use Them)

The Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) are age-based guidelines for children from 0-5 years old. They outline developmental skills, domains(subjects), and suggested activities, giving parents and educators a clear picture of what children are typically learning at each stage.

👉 Think of them as a roadmap—flexible enough to honor each child’s pace and personality, but structured enough to provide direction when you want it.

Teachers use GELDS to guide classroom planning, but unschooling families like mine use them to passively align everyday play and exploration with what the state expects young children to experience.

They’re also connected to larger, more well-known programs—like Head Start and Georgia’s K-12 standards in public schools—so you know the activities build toward the bigger picture.

🔗You can learn more about how to use these cards from the official GELDS resource provider: Georgia DECAL

Exactly What You Can Order

Here’s a quick overview of what’s usually available in the ordering system (availability changes, so don’t be surprised if certain items go out of stock):

• GELDS Activity Cards → Laminated, waterproof cards by domain and age group.

• Resource Guides → Detailed explanations for each standard + activity suggestions.

• Planning Handbooks (“Off to a Good Start”) → Weekly pre-made lesson plans.

• Posters/Benchmarks (sometimes available) → Visual reminders of standards by age.

• Lesson Planning Templates → To handwrite your weekly lessons/focus.

These materials are designed for classroom durability but work just as well at home. Remember, you don’t need to order the physical resources; all GELDS resources are available digitally as well.

Step-by-Step: How to Order GELDS Materials

Before You Start

• You’ll need to create an account on the web version of the site, not the mobile version. The site says desktop only (to create the account), but afterwards, you can order materials from any device.

• You’ll need a physical shipping address (no P.O. boxes), even a business address will be fine.

• Shipping isn’t free, but the materials themselves cost $0.

The Ordering Process

1. Go to decal.ga.gov → For Educators → GELDS.
   

   

2. Click Resources → then Online Ordering System.
   

   

3. Create an account (desktop recommended). If you're not able to use a desktop computer, you'll need to manually switch to the 'Desktop Version' in the settings menu of your mobile browser. Enter your info and register.

4. Browse the catalog after you login. You’ll see options like activity cards, resource guides, and handbooks.
   

5. Add items to your cart. They’ll all say $0—you only pay shipping.

6. Enter your shipping details. (Business or residential is fine—just not a P.O. box.)

7. Enter payment info for shipping. Review and submit.

💡 Reminder: Don’t get greedy. Order what you’ll realistically use. These resources are meant to support many families and may start to charge a fee if abused.

Shipping Timeline & What Arrives

When I placed my last order, shipping was quick—about two days. The package came through UPS in a sturdy box.

Inside, everything is neatly organized and color-coded:

• Laminated cards (waterproof and spill-proof).

• Planning templates you can fill out by hand.

• Resource guides with tabs by age group/domain.

• Weekly lesson plan samples (for those who prefer more structure).

Each set is designed so you can plug in activities for different age groups. For example, I’m able to use one card for my 18-month-old and my 3-year-old that covers the same skill at different levels.

How We Use GELDS at Home

We follow a very unschooling-inspired approach. That just means that I don’t sit down and follow each activity word for word. We don’t have formal ‘school’ sessions on a typical day.

I have an entire blog post about how we unschool using these guidelines and standards here:

What Is Unschooling and Why We Choose It As A Black Family

Instead, I use GELDS as a guide to spark ideas in everyday moments and prepare a home environment that helps my preschoolers to naturally achieve standards. All while playing.

Here’s how:

• Choosing weekly focus domains → One week might focus on language, another week might be all about science, or motor skills. The cards help me recognize if my children need more work in one area or to progress to more challenging skills in another.

• Outdoor integration → Cards become inspiration for mud kitchen play prompts, sports introduction ideas, or art at the easel outside. We use the book suggestions for afternoon storytimes outside.

• Fast Documentation → Because the cards follow a very predictable organization system, this means each activity can be documented using only the Indicator Number on each activity card. 

  • Unschooling documentation can be as simple as writing down the numbers throughout the day and storing a compiled list at the end of each week.

Example:  A science card might suggest activities around “demonstrating knowledge of physical science.”

That could translate into mixing dirt and water outside, rolling balls down ramps, or comparing how different objects sink and float.

This relaxed approach helps our family find balance while I stay confident that they're meeting (or exceeding) developmental milestones.

Why These Resources Are Worth It

Even though you’ll pay for shipping, the value is higher:

✅ They align with state standards, so you know your kids are on track.
✅ They save time—no reinventing the wheel for activities or spending time collecting lists of ideas.
✅ They’re flexible—adaptable for structured homeschool or free-flowing unschooling. You get to progress, or slow down wherever you choose. This is your way to a completely custom homeschool preschool curriculum.
✅ They’re durable—laminated, reusable, child-proof (because they find a way to get to it).

As a former preschool teacher, I know what goes into creating custom curricula. Having GELDS materials on hand has saved me countless hours and hundreds of dollars that would've been spent on some monthly membership that has my children depending on a screen to learn.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Can non-Georgia residents order?
Yes. The site doesn’t restrict your state. Parents nationwide can order, though shipping may vary.

What if items are out of stock?
Check back later or use the digital PDFs available online. You can also print at home.

How many sets can I order?
Order only what you’ll use. These resources are intended to serve many families.

Is there a cost?
The materials are free, but you cover shipping.

Can I use these for homeschool record-keeping?
Yes. GELDS aligns with state standards and can be used for documentation.

How do GELDS relate to Kindergarten standards?
Resource guides include correlations showing how preschool standards connect to K.

Resources & Next Steps

- Official DECAL Website

-📺 Watch my full YouTube walk-through + unboxing here: How To Get Georgia Early Learning Materials For FREE!

• My how unschooling looks for us in this video: What Unschooling Really Looks Like | Toddlers Learning Through Play

• Read my blog on how WE homeschool toddlers and preschoolers: What Is Unschooling?

• 📖 Coming soon: posts on integrating GELDS into unschooling and documenting with AI.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re a Georgia parent, a homeschooler living across the country, or just curious about free preschool resources, GELDS is worth exploring. 

They’re flexible, practical, and a powerful tool to spark learning at home—without the overwhelm of building a toddler curriculum from scratch.

As someone who’s taught preschool in classrooms and now guides my own kids at home, I can honestly say: this is one of the most underrated resources available to families.

So go ahead—order your box, grab your cards, and see how much learning unfolds right at your kitchen table or in your backyard.