Follow each child’s developmental journey, and show parents the path, too! “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”

Deana McGuire Buck, M.Ed CDC’s Act Early Ambassador to Virginia (804)

Learn the Signs. Act Early. 3 You’ll learn Tracking milestones is important About free resources to help How to use materials in your work Things you can do to educate parents along the way

Learn the Signs. Act Early. 4 What are Developmental Milestones? Things most children can do by a certain age –How a child plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves You see these every day They offer important clues about each child’s developmental health Parents may need guidance in recognizing All children develop at their own pace. Some will reach milestones slightly late or early.

Learn the Signs. Act Early. 5 Tracking Helps You Learn more about how a particular child is developing Identify if a child needs extra help in a particular area Gives you objective “evidence” to use when talking with supervisors and/or parents –Tracking milestones and sharing the information with parents on an ongoing basis makes the conversation easier if there is ever a concern

Learn the Signs. Act Early. 6 Tracking Helps Parents Tracking milestones and sharing the information with parents on an ongoing basis makes the conversation easier if there is ever a concern. Tracking shows parents that watching for milestones really is important. It also helps parents develop realistic expectations about their child’s development.

Learn the Signs. Act Early. 7 Free Milestone Tracking Tools Developed by CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program Free, easy to use A variety of options

Learn the Signs. Act Early. 8 "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Program Goal: To improve early identification of autism and other developmental disabilities so children and their families can get the services and support they need

Learn the Signs. Act Early. 9 Campaign Resources  Free Materials  Download and print  Order  Most in Spanish CDC-INFO

Learn the Signs. Act Early Milestone Checklists Checklists by age starting at 2 months and going through 5 years Lists milestones across 4 areas of development Identify causes for celebration or concern

Learn the Signs. Act Early Development Activity!

Learn the Signs. Act Early Milestone Checklists: How to Use You print a copy of the appropriate milestone checklist(s) for each child. Throughout the year, you pay attention to how each child is meeting milestones and mark the checklist accordingly. Tyler 24 mths

Learn the Signs. Act Early Growth Chart Several times each year, you measure each child’s height on the growth chart. As you measure, you mentally check the developmental milestones for his or her age and mark if the child has met the milestones yet. Growth Chart Tracker /18/12heightmilestones Jacob34 in met Kinsey31 1/2 in Re-check Tyler34 in Re-check Yolanda36 in met

Learn the Signs. Act Early Parent Resource Kit Growth Chart Milestone Moments Booklet Materials specially packaged for parents - includes one growth chart and one Milestone Moments booklet (English or Spanish). Ask parents to order a free parent kit, so they can track their child’s development at home using Milestone Moments and the Growth Chart.

Learn the Signs. Act Early Fact Sheets Tips for Talking With Parents –Ideas about how to start conversation with parents if concerned –Things to remember when having a difficult conversation Developmental Screening –What it is and why it’s important

Learn the Signs. Act Early Fact Sheets Basic information on specific conditions –Autism –ADHD –Cerebral Palsy –More

Learn the Signs. Act Early Helping Your Students Learn And Grow Tracking milestones is a great first step Share your milestone tracking with parents, including celebrating when a child hits milestones Talk with parents about the milestones they see Act early and share concerns

Learn the Signs. Act Early GROUP ACTIVITY Let’s Look At The “Learn the Signs. Act Early” Campaign Materials!!!

Learn the Signs. Act Early Key Lessons Looking for milestones is important There are free resources to help Make milestones a regular conversation with parents Acting early can make a real difference

Follow each child’s developmental journey, and show parents the path, too! Visit today. “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”