Child+Development

__**Topic**__ For this Wiki page, I will focus on child development and what this means for children of varying ages. We know that everybody is different and this is true for development, as well. Children, with and without disabilities, grow and develop differently so it is important to remember that there is not one correct way developing. However, one thing that we do know, is that the first few years of a child's life are critical periods and that the most learning occurs during this time. The skills and knowledge that are learned in the early years pave the way for the rest of the child's life, so it is important to know, as parents and professionals, how to foster this development. I am going to provide links related to child development that will be helpful resources for both parents and professionals. Keep in mind that these are just a few, of the many resources out there, that are available for parents and professionals and these resources are to be used as a guide, with no assumption as to what specific resources families may need. I hope you find these resources as helpful as I did!


 * __Resources__**


 * Resource 1**:

[] This is the Maine Department of Education Special Services website. With this link, you will find the contact information for Child Development Services (CDS) and the location of their nine offices around the state. Inside the navigational panel on the left-hand side of this website, you will find numerous resources and useful information that the Department of Education and CDS has provided. Most importantly, you will find further information about the Federal Law regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Part C and Part B services that are available to families with children with disabilities.


 * Resource 2:**

[] This link will bring you to the PBS Parents website. PBS Parents is a trusted resource designed for parents that has a lot of helpful information to help guide families through parenting. Here, you will find information about working with children with disabilities, fun and educational games to play with your children, healthy recipes and food ideas, and much more! What I found to be very valuable within this resource is the Child Development Tracker. With the Child Development Tracker, parents are able to specify the age of their child, and from there, learn information about how their child will grow and develop that year. Further, there are links to the developmental domains (Approaches to Learning, Creative Arts, Language, Literacy, Mathematics, Physical Health, Science, and Social and Emotional Growth) where you will find information about developmental milestones and cues as to how your child will begin to develop. The information and parenting ideas that are provided on this website is compiled from the input from experts in child psychology, early childhood education, and other related fields.

[] Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of infants and toddlers. This organization informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents to assure that children will reach their fullest potential. With this link, you will find information about; the behavior and development of infants and toddlers, maltreatment, care and education, and public policy. Parents and professionals may find the Behavior and Development tab, located towards the top of the homepage, to be very helpful. Here, you will find links to important topics, like brain development, health and nutrition, and promoting social and emotional development, and related information that will help inform and guide parents and professionals.
 * Resource 3:**


 * Resource 4:**

[] The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a national organization that provides health and safety information to parents and professionals. With this link, you will find a lot of information regarding child development and what this looks like for children both with and without disabilities. In the navigational panel on the left of the web page you will find links to; facts about child development, positive parenting tips, data and statistics, research, and further resources that parents and professionals could definitely find of use. Further, what I found to be most helpful on this web page is the link to specific conditions. This is a list of fourteen common conditions or disabilities found in children, with links to further information and ways or ideas that parents or professionals can use to intervene and help promote the most healthy development of a child with this disability. Although the list is not exhaustive, I found that the overall information that is included on this website is very valuable and could certainly help make a positive difference.


 * Resource 5:**

[] With this link, you will find the homepage to KidsGrowth.com. KidsGrowth.com is a website developed by pediatricians, that is designed for parents, with a focus on the health of children and healthy development. The site was developed and created by medical leaders in the field of pediatrics and adolescent medicine, and all of the information is reviewed by members of the Medical Advisory Board, to guarantee the accuracy of this medical information. On this website, you will find a large array of health information including resources about; parenting and behavior, child development, childhood conditions, growth milestones, and growth charts. Along with this useful information, you will find advice and tips for babies, toddlers, teens, immunizations, and more! Further, under the Child Development link, you will find links for newborn, infant, toddler, preschool, school-age, and adolescent aged children. Under each of these links, you will find a large list of articles and answer to questions from various experts in the field. KidsGrowth.com is a great resource that covers many topics and areas of concern for parents of children both with and without disabilities!