Parent-To-Parent Support
Down Syndrome Association of MN
This is the only organization in the region devoted exclusively to the needs of people with Down syndrome and their families.
Hands and Voices
Helps families make connections with other families of children with hearing loss.
Child Development
Babycenter
This site provides information on development and key issues by age (birth to 8 years). Milestone charts and common questions/issues and resources are provided for each age. In many cases, milestone charts are organized by skills that most kids this age can do, emerging skills that about half of kids this age can do, and advanced skills that a few kids this age can do. There also is a section on what to expect when, with a list of common questions from parents about their children’s development. Considerable information is provided about warning signs for developmental delays.
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University was founded in 2006 on the belief that the vitality and sustainability of any society depend on the extent to which it expands opportunities early in life for all children to achieve their full potential and engage in responsible and productive citizenship. We view healthy child development as the foundation of economic prosperity, strong communities, and a just society, and our mission is to advance that vision by using science to enhance child well-being through innovations in policy and practice.
CDC National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
This information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides bulleted information on the developmental milestones for children from 3 months to 5 years of age and offers developmental warning signs for each age group. The site also offers interactive tools for users to specify certain ages, select areas of development, and examine expected changes in milestones over time.
Resources
Here you can view or download the various materials for the "Learn the Signs. Act Early" Campaign designed for parents and health care professionals.
Resilience Booster: Parent Tip Tool
Source: American Psychological Association (APA)
Although it may be difficult for families to change circumstances such as housing, employment and transportation, there are many things they can do to reduce the effects of stress on young children and help them develop resilience, which is the ability to recover from or adjust to adversity or change. Resilience, when supported appropriately, can develop throughout childhood. This Resilience Booster: Parent Tip Tool was created by the APA for parents who want to build their children's resilience.
Child Development Institute
This Child Development Institute site was developed by a clinical psychologist. It includes a wide array of information, including charts on toddler and preschool development across domains and general development from birth to 5 years.
First Signs
This site provides questions and information about warning signs suggesting that a child’s development may be exhibiting some delays relative to more typical milestones. Articles, checklists, and steps to take are provided.
Healthychildren.org
Powered by pediatricians from the American Academy of Pediatricians, this website provides comprehensive information on child development and other important topics from pre-natal through young adult.
MN Help Me Grow
Some young children need extra help to learn and grow. Help Me Grow provides resources for families to look at developmental milestones, to learn if there are concerns, and to take the lead in seeking additional support or in referring their child for a comprehensive, confidential screening or evaluation at no cost. (Minnesota children from birth to five-years-old, if found eligible, can receive services in their home, child care setting or school. These services are free regardless of income or immigrant status.) Help Me Grow is an interagency initiative of the State of Minnesota (Department of Education, Department of Health and Department of Human Services) partnering with all local service agencies.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has developed a new Web page providing a collection of resources specifically For Families. The new page features Families Today, a column by Doctors T. Berry Brazelton and Joshua Sparrow, information on quality child care and preschool programs, plus an NAEYC-Accredited program search.
Parenting Counts
Their developmental timeline offers access to research-based information about your child's development from birth to five. This information includes physical, social, learning and communication development. It also includes some videos.
National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders
This site by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders provides an interactive checklist for users to check off a child’s skills and track development from birth to 5 years. Additional information about ongoing research is also presented.
PBS - The ABC's of Child Development (general overview) | PBS Parents - Child Development (specific information)
Two different sections from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) site provide a general overview of development by domain (first link) and specific information for each specified domain and age group (second link) on children’s development and skills from birth to 6 years.
CDC's Developmental Milestones
The Center for Disease Control and preventions provides a detailed list of milestones at various age groups from birth through age 5.
ZERO TO THREE
ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.
Resources
Magic of Everyday Moments Materials
ZERO TO THREE has released a new set of materials that show how adult interactions shape the growth and learning of infants and toddlers. The set includes four videos that explore key aspects of early childhood development for use in work with families and professionals, including:
- Brain Wonders: Nurturing Healthy Brain Development From Birth
- Literacy Skills: The Roots of Reading Start at Birth
- Power of Play: Building Skills While Having Fun
- Temperament: What Makes Your Child Tick?
The videos are all available to view online at no cost.
Autism
Minnesota Department of Human Services - Autism Benefit
The 2013 Minnesota Legislature passed a law to create a new Medical Assistance autism early intensive intervention benefit for children from birth to18 years with autism spectrum disorder. Later amendments added children with related conditions and young adults up to age 21. The purpose of the benefit is to provide autism-specific, medically necessary treatment for children, parent training and support to improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for children and their families.
Behavior
Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) at the University of MN
Resources, services, events, and professional development opportunities.
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
Focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.
Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers Toolkit
A free, online resource developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Designed for families of toddlers and preschoolers, this website is organized by child age, and offers videos, activities, and print materials to address common parenting challenges, including tantrums and whining.
Child Care
Childcare.gov
Resources on how to choose and finance quality child care.
Parentaware.org
Resources to help families find quality child care in Minnesota
Inclusivechildcare.org
The CICC provides free relationship-based professional development including support, training, modeling and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota. In addition, they provide resources to help prevent suspension and expulsion in early childhood child care programs as well as resources for parents.