Early Childhood Development Supports

Find information how to understand and assess your child’s early childhood development and where to go for resources and supports if you have questions or concerns. Resources designed to nurture your children’s development are also included.

Developmental Delay in Children: Symptoms, Causes & Outlook

The Cleveland Clinic has provided on an overview of developmental delays in children as well as signs and symptoms to be aware of.

Developmental Milestones | Learn the Signs. Act Early.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) provides a list of developmental milestones by age to inform parents.

Healthy Futures

Healthy Futures describes developmental milestones and parenting supports for newborns to age five. Just click on the icons at the top of their website for Newborn Babies or Toddlers/Preschool to find this information.

Help Me Grow Northwest Michigan: Developmental Assessments

Are you curious about what your child “could” be doing? Do you wonder about their behavior towards themselves and others? Would you like fun activities to do with your child to encourage their learning? Then Help Me Grow Northwest can help! Simply complete one of the quick and easy developmental check-in questionnaires on this website and in a day or two, you will receive feedback to help celebrate your child’s abilities along with age-appropriate activities and even suggested resources to support your family.

Help Me Grow Northwest Michigan: Personalized Support

Connect with a local Care Coordinator who will listen to your questions and concerns and connect you to the resources/supports you need. Contact 231-922-7878 for more information.

Developmental Monitoring and Screening | Learn the Signs. Act Early. | CDC

Developmental monitoring and screening are important for all young children, to check how they are developing over time. Together, they can help identify potential developmental delays and help young children and families get any needed services as early as possible.

Young Child Guide to Autism

The Autism Alliance of Michigan has created this guide for parents of children 0-6 years of age. The guide describes screening and diagnostic processes, early intervention options, and managing insurance and interactions with health care providers.

Michigan Early Intervention for Ages Birth – 3

If your child is developing slower or has ongoing health issues, Early On can help. This website has information about the early intervention services offered in Michigan, how to apply, and who is eligible. Contact 833-665-8116 for more information.

Early On Michigan – referral form

Early On provides support to Michigan families with children ages birth to three who have developmental delays or disabilities or are at risk for delay due to a medical condition. Early On supports and partners with families to promote the development of their infants and toddlers in developmental areas, such as physical, cognitive, communication, social emotional, and self-help. There is no cost for qualified children and their families. Go to this website to find the self-referral form and the contact number for Early On.

Zero To Three

The Zero to Three website is full of evidence-based practices and resources for a strong foundation in a child’s life. Learn about the importance of emotionally nourishing relationships and how they lay the foundation for lifelong health and well-being.

Lantern: Parenting Tips and Activities

Lantern will send free text messages with easy, practical tips and activities right to your cell phone. Messages are targeted to your child’s age and include information on development, language and early literacy, health and safety, behavioral tips, and more.

Promoting Positive Experiences

HOPE stands for Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences. It’s a powerful way to understand how simple, loving, everyday moments can shape your baby’s future. From cuddling and singing to keeping routines and showing love, these experiences build your baby’s brain, strengthen emotional bonds, and support resilience, confidence, and lifelong well-being. When parents, caregivers, and communities focus on creating positive experiences, they help children grow stronger, healthier, and happier. This website highlights ways to nurture positive experiences with your newborn.

Steps: Early Childhood Development Resources

Steps is a major initiative in Michigan to provide parents with tips, info graphics, articles, and information to promote early learning. The learning that takes place from birth to age three is so important. The steps you take during these early years shape a child’s future health, happiness, learning, and success in life. They are simple steps, like talking to them, interacting with them, reading, singing, and playing with them daily. This website includes resources and tools you can use to take these steps and nurture your child’s early development.

TALK

Sign up to get 8-10 text messages per month with fun activities you can do at home to help prepare little ones, ages 5 and under, for school success.

Zero To Three: Parenting Resources

Zero to Three is a national organization dedicated to helping all children 0-3 years of age have a strong start in life. Their website includes resources designed to help parents nurture the early development of their baby and toddler.

Help Me Grow Northwest Michigan: Personalized Support

Connect with a local Care Coordinator who will listen to your questions and concerns about your child’s development and connect you to the resources/supports you need. Contact 231-922-7878 for more information.

Michigan Alliance for Families: Peer Mentor

Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children and young adults (birth to 26 years of age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services. You can connect to a peer mentor through this website.Contact 800-552-4821 for more information.

Northwest Education Services: Early Childhood Development Supports

Children grow and learn at different rates. Northwest Education Services offers a comprehensive system of services for families of children birth to age six. Using evidence-based practices anchored in relationships, they are here to support our community’s youngest learners. Contact their early childhood department with your questions and concerns at 231 922-6437.

Children’s Special Health Care Services | Grand Traverse County, MI

Early Childhood Department: 231.922.6437 The Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) is a program that provides free or low-cost services to children up to age 26 and some adults with specific qualifying health conditions. To become a part of this program, clients need to submit a medical report and a treatment plan from a specialist for evaluation. The medical condition determines if you qualify, not your income.

Michigan Alliance for Families

Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children and young adults (birth to 26 years of age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services. This website can help you with finding information on special education issues as well as disability specific information. You can also connect to a peer mentor through this website. Call 800-552-4821

Special Education Mediation Services

Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS) provides mediation, facilitation and training services for working through disagreements so that children with disabilities promptly receive the services they need to develop and succeed in school. These services often help to avoid disputes or help resolve them early. Call 833-543-7178

Early Childhood Development Supports

Understanding Developmental Milestones+

Assessing Developmental Milestones+

Early Intervention+

Nurturing Early Childhood Development+

Parent Support Resources+

Special Education and Health Care Needs+