Early Childhood Tip: Importance of early screenings
It’s hard to know what to expect when it comes to your child’s development. When should he walk? When should she talk? Many parents (and even grandparents or other caregivers) wonder about a child’s development.
The good news is early childhood screening is an effective way to track your child’s development and monitor their milestones. A screening can detect any concern or potential delay in your child’s development to start early interventions and get them back on track. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends developmental screenings in the early years.
Ages and Stages Screenings observe your child at play and include play-based activities for you and your child. This screening considers all areas of development: speech, social-emotional skills, fine motor and gross motor skills.
Screenings are crucial in the success of early intervention services. The sooner a concern or delay is identified, the sooner a child and his/her family can access services, resources and support. Many children who received early intervention services as an infant, toddler or preschooler no longer needed services when they entered kindergarten. A recent study found that children who received early intervention services before age 3 were more likely to meet third-grade academic standards in math and English.
Free screening at the library
With community partners Grace Med, Infant Toddler Services of Kansas, Parents As Teachers USD 437 and 501, and Shawnee County Health Department the library is hosting free Birth-5 Screenings Mon, April 6, 9-11am. Vision screenings will be available in addition to the Ages and Stages screenings. We hope to host these screenings a couple times a year so watch our event calendar if you miss this one.
