Research shows that early care and education is vital to a child’s future development and success. Child care programs are knowledgeable and resourceful in helping families navigate these younger years through their familiarity of child development. Each child develops so uniquely, therefore, caregivers and teachers must be well-informed in neurotypical and atypical development. Here are some resources to assist child care programs and their staff in supporting child development for the children they serve.
Early Childhood Intervention services can assist children zero to three years of age with disabilities, developmental delays, or certain medical diagnoses that may impact development. Families with children over the age of three should contact their local school district. Find your local school district here. (Zoom in to locate region, county, school district and specific school locations and contact information.)
Resources for programs serving children with special needs:
- TWC Child Care Services & Children with Disabilities
- Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) – ECTA offers resources for child care programs who are seeking support and guidance to ensure the best, most positive incomes possible for children in their lives who have, or are at-risk for, developmental delays or disabilities across a variety of early childhood settings. Spanish guides available.
- Resources for Children with Special Needs
The Texas Infant, Toddler, and Three-Year-Old Early Learning Guidelines were created to help Texans understand what very young children should know and be able to do at different stages in their development.
The Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines are aligned with the Kindergarten Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to follow child development and strategies for teaching three- to four-year-olds in the early childhood classroom.
Positive Behavior Support can be a necessary resource when working with children and challenging behaviors, including prevention of expulsion and suspension.
5 Steps for Brain-Building: Fun and simple interactions between adults and young children to help make strong connections in developing brains.
Zero to Three The first three years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a baby’s development. Learn how the earliest relationships with caregivers can promote healthy brain development, how young children build social and emotional skills, and ways you can support language and literacy development starting from birth.
Read here for even more information about Child Development.