Parent Resources: Early childhood
The South Dakota Birth to Three Early Intervention Program serves children from birth to 36 months with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. Special education services, for students ages 3-21, may be available as an option for parents when their children are struggling with learning because of a disability.
South Dakota Birth to Three Developmental Checklist
This resource provides a month-by-month guide of behaviors parents should observe as their child develops and activities to do to support your child. Use the descriptions with each month to better understand your child s development in comparison to their age. Work toward the milestones listed if your child has not yet reached them or use it as a reference when seeking developmental services.
CDC's List of Milestones for Every Age
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) provides a variety of resources on developmental milestones for children up to age five. The CDC provides detailed milestones alongside every age and information for parents to match their child s developmental needs. Access the free materials, book recommendations, and steps to take when you may be concerned about your child s development.
CDC's Milestone Tracker App
Follow along with your child s development through the convenience of your phone. This free app is compatible with Android and IOS and available in Spanish and English. The app features developmental milestones and digital examples of what you might observe in your child.
Growth Charts
The CDC offers a wide variety of growth charts and data tables to compare your child's development to others their age. This will allow you to view percentiles for length, weight, and head circumference for children ages birth to 20 years old. Understand the history and use of growth charts as well as how to read them using the CDC's Growth Chart Training.
CDC's Amazing Books for Children
These milestone booklets are printable for reading with your children. Watch them as they participate in the book's instructions and view activities and information to go alongside each book as you watch them grow.
- 1-Year-Olds: Baby s Busy Day
- 2-Year-Olds: Where Is Bear?
- 3-Year-Olds: Amazing Me
Bright By Text
Receive texts about activities and tips based on your child s age and your location. Receive content from trusted experts to facilitate development for children and in turn, families and communities.
Not sure what to say or where to start? As a parent, you are your child s first teacher and strongest advocate. Understand your child's development to act early.
- Talk to your child s doctor.
- Complete a Milestone Checklist for your child's age.
- You can use the resources provided on this webpage and/or print this Milestone Moments Booklet and take it with you to talk to your child s doctor at every well-child visit.
- Ask about developmental screening and request further evaluations.
- Complete a Milestone Checklist for your child's age.
- If you are not satisfied with your doctor's findings, ask for a referral or seek a second opinion and contact Birth To Three for a free evaluation.
What is Birth to Three Early Intervention?
The South Dakota Birth to Three Early Intervention Program serves children from birth to 36 months with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. The program focuses on family-based care in the home setting. Birth to Three independent evaluation will determine qualifying factors. You do not need a doctor s referral to have your child evaluated for services.
South Dakota Parent Connection
South Dakota Parent Connection is our state's official Parent Training and Information Center. This is a great resource for families caring for children with disabilities or special health care needs, whether emotional/behavioral, learning, physical, or mental. South Dakota Parent Connection provides information, training, and resources in an environment of support, hope, and respect. This is often the "go-to" resource for families when they need information about supporting the unique needs of their child but don t know where to begin.
If you are overwhelmed by the amount of information available, simply call their main office and a member of their staff will help you: 605-361-3171. You can also email them at sdpc@sdparent.org.
Head Start
Head Start is a family-oriented home- and school-based education for at-risk children, parents, and communities. Head Start encourages parents as their child's first educator and provides families with financial and educational support to find the path out of poverty. Early Head Start is for children birth to three and Head Start focuses on children ages three to four. Ninety percent of families receiving Head Start and Early Head Start services must be below the federal poverty line. Head Start includes eight locations across South Dakota. Email sdhsa@sdheadstart.org or call your local center for more information.