Early Childhood

Choosing care for your child with a disability means you have to decide which program and facility best meet your child’s needs. Finding a welcoming, educated childcare provider that cares for each child’s differences is important. Use this checklist to help you find the right fit for your child.

This notice includes an explanation of parental rights for children receiving services through an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

There are lots of acronyms in the Special Education world, which can be very confusing. Use this list as a guide to understanding the meaning of Special Education acronyms.

Once you know your child is eligible for an IFSP, you may have some questions. How do you get started on an IFSP? Who attends these meetings? What can I expect? Read on to learn the answers to these questions.

Now that your child is eligible for Early Intervention services, you will have a meeting to build the IFSP, or Individualized Family Service Plan. View this handy checklist as you plan for your IFSP meetings.

Early Intervention Services are for children with disabilities ages 0-2. It begins with a parent concern about your child’s development. Read more on how this process begins and what it looks like.

The IFSP document can be quite long and hard to understand. It has a lot of good information that can support your child during this time of learning and growth. This factsheet labels each section of the IFSP and tells you a little bit about what should be here. Remember, you know your child best and can work together with your team to make a great IFSP!

Use this resource to learn tips for distance learning if you have young children.

The Milestone Moments booklet includes full milestone checklists for all domains of early development. It covers ages 2 months through 5 years and matches the recommended ages for well-child visits. It includes age-appropriate activities that a parent can use at home to engage their child and encourage development.

CDC Tip Sheet for parents of children 0-5 who may have concerns about development.

CDC Tip Sheet for parents of children 0-5 who may have concerns about development.

Baby’s Busy Day is a CDC children’s book that helps parents learn what one-year-old milestones to look for in their baby and provides them with tips on how they can help.

Where is Bear? is a CDC children’s book that teaches parents developmental milestones as they read to their child. It includes milestones for two-year-olds, warning signs of delay, and tips on how parents can support their child’s development.

Amazing Me is a CDC children’s book for ages 2-3 that teaches parents developmental milestones as they read to their child. It includes milestones for three-year-olds, warning signs of delay, and tips on how parents can support their child’s development.

This fact sheet informs families about extending services from age 3 until kindergarten, through an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

The nurse can be a vital member of the IEP team. This short video explains their role in the development of the IEP.

This document,  developed by the Maryland State Department of Education,  details the Early Intervention Process for the state.

This document includes the CDC developmental milestones in a map format.

This CDC checklist includes developmental milestones a child should reach between the ages of 2 months old and 5 years old.

This fact sheet contains information about developmental delays, screening and assessments.