Child Development Information

Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines:

These guidelines will inform you of what children can know and are able to do, so that everyone who interacts with young children can prepare them for a lifetime of success.  This link will bring you to videos and more to help you in supporting your child’s development: www.earlylearningco.org

Click on  the age of your child below for examples of what children typically do at a certain ages and suggestions for how adults can support their development:

• Birth-4 months
• 4-8 months
• 9-18 months
• 19-36 months
• 3-5 years
• Kindergarten – Third Grade (5-8 years)

CDC Developmental Checklists for Children:

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (crawling, walking, etc.).

Click on the age of your child to see the milestones:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 1 year
• 18 months
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• Positive Parenting Tips from CDC: To visit their website click here.

First speak with your child’s doctor about any developmental concerns.  You can also ask for a referral for your child to receive a developmental assessment.

• Early Intervention (Part C), for assessment/identification of developmental delays (0-3 years of age)
• Do you have questions or concerns about your child’s development?
• Child Find (Part B), for assessment/identification of developmental delays (3-5 years of age)

• Promoting Early Literacy: Poster
• Bilingual Family Early Literacy Week Activities
• Supporting Early Literacy in Natural Environments for Infants and Preschoolers (in English)
• Supporting Early Literacy in Natural Environments for Infants and Preschoolers (en Espanol)
• On-the-Go Literacy Activities for Infants and Preschoolers (in English)
• On-the-Go Literacy Activities for Infants and Preschoolers (en Espanol)
• Literacy with Love
• Everyday Ways to Support Your Infant and Toddler’s Early Learning

• Information on Social Emotional Development:
  • Birth to 8 months old
  • 9 to 18 months old
  • 19 to 36 months old
  • 3 to 5 years old
  • 5 to 8 years old
• Equity Book List: Cultural and Racial Uniqueness
• Equity Book List: Books for Children that Challenge Gender Stereotypes
• Equity Book List: Books that Support Caregivers in Teaching Children About Class Differences
• Books for Children that Encourage Kindness and Teach Empathy
• Imagination Library Program Enrollment – English form
• Imagination Library Program Enrollment – Spanish form
• The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning has several articles on supporting your child’s social emotional development: Visit Site
• Children’s Books that Support Social Emotional Development
• The Backpack Connection Series was created by TACSEI to provide a way for teachers and parents/caregivers to work together to help young children develop social emotional skills and reduce challenging behavior. Here is the link where you can download the handouts by theme: http://challengingbehavior.fmhi.usf.edu/do/resources/backpack.html

• Daily Vroom: an app turn shared moments into brain building moments. Whether it’s mealtime, bath-time, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nurture our children’s growing minds.
• Bright by Text: a program for parents and caregivers of children under five that sends free activities, games, and resources right to your cell phone. Messages are targeted to your child’s age and include information on child development, language and early literacy, health and safety, behavioral tips, and more! Text BRIGHT to 274448 to sign up

• http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/
• https://www.zerotothree.org/parenting
• http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/family/For%20Parents
• http://www.readingrockets.org/article/20035/
• http://www.zerotothree.org/public-policy/school-readiness-infographic.html
• Info About Kids: http://infoaboutkids.org/
• Earlier Is Easier is a collaborative led by early childhood literacy professionals from the Denver Public Library, Reach Out and Read Colorado and the Colorado Parent & Child Foundation. To visit their interactive website click here.

Preparing for kindergarten happens many months before the first day of school.

Registering for school often begins in the later winter – early spring, planning for needed paperwork takes time, and helping your child with needed skills and routines is a gradual process.

This Guide will help you consider what will be important to support your child in a successful transition to kindergarten!

• Kindergarten Transition Guide