The first years of a child's life are some of the most important to their overall health and development. As a parent, how you approach these years is key. It certainly helps to know the basics of child development and what you can do to help your child reach their full potential.
At Edward Street, we're proud to support child development initiatives for kids in Worcester and its surrounding communities. As part of our efforts, we want to help parents master the basics of child development. That way, parents will know what to do on their own and when to reach out to others for support, if needed.
Today, we'll answer some of the biggest questions surrounding children's development and offer simple, effective tips to support your child's growth.
What Is Healthy Child Development?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthy development means a child's needs are being met across the following areas:
- Social: A child has positive relationships with family members and friends.
- Emotional: They receive attention, love, and care to support their emotional wellbeing.
- Educational: They engage with peers and teachers, learn new things, and apply what they learn to their daily activities.
Along with these things, it's crucial for a child to have a safe and loving home. Here, they can spend time with family and read, play, talk, and enjoy many other activities.
Additionally, proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep are critical for children. With them, kids may be well-equipped to feel and perform their best now and in the future.
If you have concerns or questions about your child's nutrition, exercise, or sleep, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers its Healthy Children website, which provides parents with free tools and resources relating to these health topics and many others.
You can also reach out to your child's pediatrician to discuss your developmental concerns and questions.
How Can I Tell If My Child's Development Is on Track?
CDC has developmental milestones to help you track your child's progress from two months to five years old. These focus on how a child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves.
In addition to tracking your child's developmental milestones, you can participate in developmental monitoring. This involves observing your child's growth, how your child changes over time, and determining if they meet the typical milestones for playing, learning, speaking, behaving, and moving.
There are also developmental screenings, which can provide additional insights into how your child is developing. A doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional may conduct a developmental screening with you. To do so, they may perform a brief test on your child or ask you to complete a questionnaire about them.
What Should I Do If My Child Does Not Meet a Developmental Milestone?
Children grow and develop at their own pace. If your child seems to miss a developmental milestone, remain calm. Reach out to your pediatrician or child care provider with concerns. They want to help.
It's important to discuss your concerns and questions with your pediatrician. They can take a closer look at your child and help you figure out the best course of action for them moving forward.
If your pediatrician believes your child may have a developmental delay, they may refer you to any of the following specialists:
- Developmental pediatrician who specializes in child development and kids with special needs
- Child neurologist who specializes in the brain, spine, and nerves
- Child psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in the human mind
If you suspect a developmental delay, you can request a free evaluation through a local early intervention provider or school system. For children under three, contact your local early intervention system to request a free evaluation. Or, if your child is over three, contact your public school district to request a free evaluation.
Connect with your community, too. There are great resources to support you in helping your child grow and learn, including:
- Worcester Family Partnership (WFP) community events, such as daily playgroups for parents and kids on weekdays, family recreational workshops scheduled monthly, and monthly workshops relating to various parenting topics.
- Children's programs and events at the Worcester Public Library (WPL) and other local libraries that encourage children and parents to come together and engage with one another.
- Free Easterseals Ages & Stages Questionnaires that can provide insights into a child's developmental progress and show you if there are any potential concerns you should discuss with their pediatrician.
How Can I Support My Child's Development?
CDC offers the following tips to help parents support their child's growth and development:
- Be proactive. Act early if you have concerns about your child's development.
- Know what to say. Call your child's pediatrician, tell them you want to make an appointment to discuss your developmental concerns, and share your specific concerns.
- Track your communications. Use this free worksheet from the Center for Parent Information & Resources to keep a record of communications you have with service agencies and others regarding your child.
There are many effective parenting practices you can use to support your child's development, too. These include:
- Being predictable in how you respond
- Showing warmth and sensitivity
- Creating routines and household rules
- Sharing books and talking
- Promoting health and safety
- Providing healthy behavior guidance
Supporting your child as they grow and develop helps them be successful into adulthood.
At Edward Street, we want to help you support your child's development.
Check out our blog for updates on child development initiatives and activities across Central Mass.
We also promote community initiatives to help your child grow and develop, including:
If you have developmental concerns or questions, we encourage you to check out the services and resources available from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
Finally, we invite you to explore the Massachusetts child development and early learning resources available at Childcare.gov.