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Information for Families

As they grow, children are always learning new things. CDC has developed tools and information to help you keep track of your child’s development and get help if you’re concerned.

If You’re Concerned – Act Early!

If you’re worried that your child is not reaching milestones at the same time as other children the same age, visit our web page to find out what you can do to help.

Where is Bear? – A Terrific Tale for 2-Year-Olds

Where is Bear?” is a terrific tale for 2-year-old children and their parents! This interactive book encourages children to help Tiger and his forest friends in their search to find Bear.

Read more about Where is Bear

Read Amazing Me — It’s Busy Being 3!

Amazing Me --- It’s Busy Being 3! Children's Book

In Amazing Me — It’s Busy Being 3! Joey, a 3-year-old kangaroo, shows what he can do in one AMAZING day. This children’s book teaches parents developmental milestones as they read to their young child.

Read more about Amazing Me

Tools and Resources

Toddler in a hard hat and tool belt

Milestone Checklists
Complete a milestone checklist for your child’s age to track and celebrate the milestones that he or she is reaching.

Milestones in Action
See photo and video examples of important developmental milestones that children should reach from 2 months to 5 years of age.

Parent Resource Kit
The free Parent Resource Kit contains information on milestones from 2 months to 5 years. Includes one Milestone Moments Booklet and one Growth Chart.

What is “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” and how can it help me?
View this brief presentation to learn about the FREE tools offered by “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” and how you can use them to track your young child’s development: [Click to open the presentation in English]

Positive Parenting Tips
Find tips for positive parenting and child safety according to the age groups below.

Infants 0-1 years old
Toddlers 1-2 years old
Toddlers 2-3 years old
Preschoolers 3-5 years old
Middle Childhood 6-8 years old
Middle Childhood 9-11 years old
Early Adolescence 12-14 years old
Middle Adolescence 15-17 years old

Developmental Screening
Information on developmental screening especially for families.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for general development using standardized, validated tools at 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months and for autism at 18 and 24 months or whenever a parent or provider has a concern. Ask your child’s doctor about your child’s developmental screening.

“Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools.

Health and Safety Tip

For information on preparing, responding to, and recovering from natural disasters, visit the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

For more tips, click here.

Links to Other Websites

Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive!
Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive! encourages healthy child development, universal developmental and behavioral screening for children, and support for the families and providers who care for them.

Easter Seals
Easter Seals, through support from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, provides parents with FREE access to the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition, one of many general developmental screening tools. Click here to learn more and take the questionnaire. Be sure to share the completed questionnaire and results with your child’s doctor.

CYFERnet
CYFERnet’s Website brings together the best children, youth, and family resources of all the public land-grant universities in the country. Materials are carefully reviewed by college and university faculty.

Just in Time Parenting (JITP)
Quality, research-based information to families at the time it can be most useful.

Parent to Parent-USA
Parent to Parent programs provide emotional and informational support to families of children who have special needs most notably by matching parents seeking support with an experienced, trained ‘Support Parent’.

Publications

State Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Your children may be eligible for free or low-cost health insurance. Every state in the nation has a health insurance program for infants, children and teens. The insurance is available to children in working families.
» Phone: 1-877-KIDS-NOW

Zero to Three
Science-based information and tools designed to help parents and caregivers nurture their young children’s development.

 

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