Early Childhood Development: Milestones, Special Education, and Intervention

Discover the crucial milestones of early childhood development, the importance of special education, and effective interventions.

The formative years are essential for lifetime learning and growth. The developmental milestones follow a predictable path, with later skills building on earlier ones attained. Clinicians can identify delayed development by having a better understanding of typical development (Scharf et al., 2016).

Eligibility for special education and services

Special services are provided when a parent or healthcare professional finds developmental issues or a disability and links the child to early intervention (EI) or special education (Lipkin et al., 2015).

When a child reaches the Tier 3 level of RTI (Response to Intervention), their eligibility for special education and related services is taken into consideration. A meeting is called to ascertain a child’s eligibility for special education services after they have been in Tier 2 for a predetermined time and have undergone an examination. If a child has a disability and needs special education and related services, the parent of the child and a group of trained specialists decides this.

Benefits of Early Intervention

Children who are referred for early intervention are more likely to achieve progress toward developmental goals, and early detection of developmental impairments enables referral to therapy treatments. When a child receives the necessary speech & language therapy and special education services in a preschool classroom setting rich in language, research on the effects of early intervention has revealed a wide range of benefits.

STAGES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Infant

Throughout the first year of life, infants rapidly acquire new skills. An infant can bring his hands together and move his head when he is three to six months old. An infant can sit without assistance, chatter, and answer to his name by the time he is six to nine months old. A baby that is nine to twelve months old can pick things up, crawl, and even stand with assistance.

Toddler

Toddlers learn to walk independently, climb stairs, and leap in place as they get older, between one and three years. They are able to use small words, stack blocks, do coloring, draw circles, and even adhere to basic directions. It is advised to check for autism between the ages of 18 and 24 months. Early intervention programs in their state are enrolled with babies and toddlers.

Preschool

Children continue to develop their gross and fine motor skills between the ages of three and five. They can begin to clothe themselves, draw a figure with features, skip and jump, throw a ball, and stand on one foot for at least ten seconds. During this developmental stage, there may be indications of developmental impairments such as cerebral palsy.

Teachers assist in preparing preschoolers for kindergarten, and children learn best when they are among their peers. The child may acquire additional treatments, such as speech therapy, if necessary, to assist them in reaching their learning objectives.

School Age

Children six to twelve-years-old are considered school age. Children of school-age may exhibit symptoms of ADHD, such as difficulty maintaining focus and being easily distracted. A multidisciplinary team must determine the eligibility of the students. Goals are outlined in the IEP, along with special education services, including any adjustments. Depending on their needs, students with an IEP may receive different educational services in a regular or special education classroom. Support personnel from the school are assigned to oversee and administer IEP programs.

Since every child develops at a different rate, it’s acceptable if a child hasn’t yet reached one of these developmental milestones by the time indicated. By reading books, practicing dialogue, playing word and number games, and creating a rich and engaging learning environment at home, parents may help your child learn more quickly. Seek out toys that will help your child develop their skills and thinking. The finest results for your family can be achieved by working together with your child’s therapist. The likelihood of a youngster developing appropriate communication skills increases when the earlier services are given (Paul & Roth, 2011).