Children grow, develop and learn throughout their lives – socially and emotionally, cognitively and physically. Every child is different and develops at their own pace. At the same time, there are key skills children need so they can flourish at school and in their communities.
Beginning at birth, children will reach key milestones in how they play, learn, act and communicate (e.g., taking a first step, smiling, waving “bye-bye,” or reaching for a toy). These milestones offer important clues about a child’s developmental health.
Reaching milestones at the typical age shows a child is developing as expected, while reaching them much earlier means a child may be advanced compared with his or her peers of the same age. Not reaching milestones — or reaching them much later than children of the same age — can be the earliest indication that a child may have a developmental delay.
Parents and caregivers play a pivotal role in fostering environments in which their children can achieve developmental milestones and grow to their full potential.
Help Me Grow Onondaga, a key strategy of the Early Childhood Alliance Onondaga, supports them in this role and empowers them with the knowledge they need to help their children thrive. Free services and supports include: information on child development and parenting; connections to basic resources like diapers and formula; customized referrals to community services and supports and Ages & Stages developmental questionnaires.
For more information call: 2-1-1 and ask for Help Me Grow Onondaga