SPARKING CONNECTIONS FOR PARENTS ABOUT DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS
as a parent, it’s completely normal for your mind to swim with questions about your baby, toddler or preschooler. “Is this normal? Should my child be using more words? Should my child be sharing by now?”
arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First (FTF), recognizes that while every child develops at their own pace, developmental and sensory screenings are a way parents can learn about their child’s development. There are certain milestones they should reach in how they play, learn, speak, behave and move. How your child does these things will offer important clues about your child’s development.
most recently, FTF partnered with Zero to Three, a national early childhood organization, to share a new parent video series called Sparks, created by the mount Sinai Parenting Center, Zero to Three and the Brazelton Touchpoints Center.
Sparks features videos that are designed to be viewed before key visits to the pediatrician, such as the 2- month visit, 6-month visit and 12-month visit. each video shares information related to these specific ages, including behavior, development, nutrition, safety and common medical questions.
The Sparks videos can be found on FTF’S digital ages and
Stages guide on its website, Firstthingsfirst.org. It is available in both english and Spanish under the Parent Resources tab.
Screenings can also catch concerns that can point to a delay or possible disability. They are important because they identify delays and allow parents to connect with support services. They promote positive childhood health and development and readiness for school.
The american academy of Pediatrics recommends that
pediatricians talk with families about their child’s development at every well-child visit between birth and 3 years old, and conduct developmental screenings at 9, 18 and 30 months of age.
Sometimes there’s a fear or stigma for parents when talking about developmental screenings. But parents should know that the screening isn’t looking for problems, instead the goal is to show typical development.
and if the screening shows an area or concern, then the parent is referred to the child’s pediatrician for additional screenings or intervention. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child 5 years old and younger, you can make a difference by monitoring your child’s physical, mental, social and emotional development and discussing your observations with your health care provider.
Please remember that all children develop at different rates.
What is typical for other children may not be the same for yours. There are a couple of resources to help parents and caregivers identify concerns regarding their child’s development and make the most of those early doctor visits.
The first is the ages and Stages Questionnaire, which parents can complete online. It includes a series of questions regarding your child’s development and behavior. The results of the questionnaire are emailed to parents within a couple of weeks and are intended to be used to follow up with a health provider regarding any identified issues. Free access to the questionnaire is available through easterseals, make the First Five Count website, http://www. easterseals.com/mtffc/ under Take the Screening.
another resource is the free, statewide Birth to 5 Helpline (1-877705-5437). There, nurses and developmental experts will give you tips on which milestones your child should have achieved for their age and help you decide if a follow up with your health provider is needed.
For more information on First Things First in Yuma County or to get involved, contact:
Rudy J. Ortiz, Regional Director
(928) 343-3020 or rjortiz@firstthingsfirst.org