Early Identification and Intervention to Support Your Young Child’s Development

Babies and young children are learning and doing new things every day. But parents often worry that their child’s development isn’t quite the same as the child next door. Or, perhaps they notice that their child’s development seems slower in one area than another (walking early, for example, but not beginning to say words). There is a wide range of what’s normal in early childhood, and it’s not unusual for a child to develop at different rates in different domains. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to check out concerns.   The good news is that there are free resources to help you know if your child’s development is on track. These resources include online, research-based information about developmental milestones, as well as early childhood screening (free for any young child). If screening identifies a possible problem and further assessment shows that your child qualifies, free early intervention services are available. These supports are tailored to your child’s needs and your preferences (with services available, for example, in your home or even online). In this episode of Mom Enough, Anna Paulson, Program Coordinator for Help Me Grow Minnesota, brings a wealth of information and practical ideas for how you can understand and support your child’s optimal development. And she makes a strong case for how early intervention can make a lifelong difference for a child’s learning and development.   IS YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT ON TRACK? Visit the Help Me Grow website and take a look at the information and videos on developmental milestones for a child the age of yours. What does this suggest about how your child is learning and developing in different areas (motor, language, cognitive, social-emotional)? What ideas did you get from guest Anna Paulson about how to support your child’s development at home?   IS YOUR CHILD MEETING THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES? ❉ Help Me Grow. Check out Help Me Grow MN for information on developmental milestones, encouraging healthy development, and getting help if you have concerns about a child's development. You can also find Help Me Grow on Facebook and Instagram (developmental videos).   ❉ CDC on Developmental Milestones. Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's resources on child development. Track your child's development and get a downloadable PDF with developmental information by age. You can also learn about the Milestone Tracker app for monitoring your child's development.   ❉ Minnesota Learn the Signs Act Early. Minnesota Act Early is an outreach campaign that promotes early screening and identification of potential developmental delays. Get information on healthy development, early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental delays, and early intervention options.