Child Development
Child Development Basics
Healthy Development
The early years of a child’s life are crucial for their health and development. Healthy development means that children of all abilities, including those with special health care needs, can grow up where their social, emotional, and educational needs are met. Having a safe and loving home and spending time with family―playing, singing, reading, and talking―are very important. Proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep also can make a big difference.
Developmental Milestones
Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move (crawling, walking, etc).
If You're Concerned:
Don't Wait.
Acting early can make a real difference!
As a parent, you know your child best. If your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or if you think there could be a problem with the way your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves talk to your child’s doctor and share your concerns.
- Tell your child’s doctor or nurse.
- Complete Milestone Checklist, download CDC Milestone Tracker App.
- Ask your doctor or nurse for a developmental screening.
- If you or the doctor still feel worried, ask for a referral to a specialist.
Contact us now to talk about your concerns, help with a screening, and get referrals for an evaluation.
If You're Concerned: Don't Wait.
Learn the Signs.
Act Early.
Learn the Signs. Act Early. (LTSAE) is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that encourages parents of children ages birth to 5 years and providers who care for them to:
- Learn the signs of healthy development (developmental milestones);
- Monitor every child’s early development;
- Act early on possible developmental concerns: talk with the doctor and ask for developmental screening.
The program offers parent-friendly milestone checklists accessible through a freeapp, that make developmental monitoring practical and comfortable.
Note: The materials provided by LTSAE are not a replacement for developmental screening and should be used for educational purposes and to help staff decide when to refer a child to other professionals for screening.
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
What to Say
Doctor’s Office
- When you call your child’s doctor’s office, say, “I would like to make an appointment to see the doctor because I am concerned about my child’s development.”
- Be ready to share your specific concerns about your child when you call. If you wrote down notes about your concerns, keep them. Your notes will be helpful during your visit with the doctor.
Elementary School or Board of Education
- When you call your local elementary school or board of education (if your child is 3 or older), say, “I am concerned about my child’s development and would like to talk with someone about having my child evaluated. Can you help me or let me speak with someone who can?”
- Be ready to share your specific concerns about your child. You will also be asked for some general information about yourself and your child (your name, your child’s name and age, where you live, and more).
- Write down who you speak to, the date, what was said; you might need information later.
Contact us now to talk about your concerns, help with a screening, and get referrals for an evaluation.
211
- Call 211 and say, “I am concerned about my child’s development and would like to talk with someone about having my child
What To Say
Download These Resources Today
Additional Articles/ Supportive Services
Section Header
Section Subheader
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla facilisi. Integer id justo eu sapien luctus ultricies. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Mauris gravida, arcu vel accumsan tincidunt, nunc ipsum porta nulla, ut consequat urna purus sed lacus. Vivamus tincidunt, eros a laoreet lacinia, erat eros fermentum sem, non elementum erat metus non mi. Aenean ac dignissim magna. Nunc et diam eget libero suscipit euismod. Sed efficitur, risus nec accumsan mattis, lorem purus sodales mi, at dignissim sapien risus vitae nulla.
- Ut enim ad minim veniam
- Quis nostrud exercitation ullamco
- Laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat
- Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit
- Ut enim ad minim veniam
- Quis nostrud exercitation ullamco
- Laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat
- Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit
Help Starts Here.
211 connects you to expert, caring help.
Every call is free and confidential.
