Here are some additional resources on child development for families to explore.
Infant & Toddler Developmental Milestones Checklist: Just like tracking height and weight, tracking developmental milestones helps caregivers see how children’s skills compare to typical growth and development. Some children may achieve skills a little earlier and some children may achieve skills a little bit later. Developmental milestones can help families become aware of what skills are expected at what ages and acknowledge what the child is accomplishing–a first smile, a first step, a first word. To track children’s development from birth to 48 months of age, you can find the Developmental Checklists in English and Spanish.
Visit this page for more information on Understanding Developmental Screening and Early Intervention.
PALS Spotlights: Play and Learning Strategies (PALS) is a research-based program that helps parents of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in supporting their children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and language skills. PALS helps parents learn specific behaviors that help them tune in to their children’s needs, respond in a sensitive and contingent manner, and provide appropriate cognitive and language stimulation. PALS Spotlights highlight key concepts from the PALS program that will help parents interact with their young children in responsive, stimulating ways that support positive development. It is important for families to use these strategies throughout the day during play and daily routines, and then reflect on their behaviors and the impact on their child.