Child Growth & Development

Understanding how children grow and learn is critical to their overall health and well-being.

What is Child Development?

Child development is a continuous process with a predictable sequence yet having a unique course for every child. To better understand the ages and stages of child development, research-based resources and developmental screening tools are available to support your child’s physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Milestone Tracker App

From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.

Easterseals Ages & Stages Questionnaires

Easterseals offers a free, comprehensive, and confidential online screening tool to help guide and keep track of your child’s growth and development during these first five years.

Healthy Children - American Academy of Pediatrics

The Healthy Children website serves as an online resource for parents and caregivers and provides reliable and evidence-based information on all aspects of child health, development, and well-being, backed by the expertise of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Raising Special Kids

Raising Special Kids exists to improve the lives of children with the full range of disabilities, from birth to age 26, by providing support, training, information, and individual assistance so families can become effective advocates for their children.

Smiling girl holding a stick with a desert landscape in the background.

The Impact of Daily Life on Child Development

Everyday experiences in a child's life are learning opportunities that families and caregivers can take advantage of. A child's physical, nutritional, cultural, emotional, and social development — most of which occur at home or in child care — are just as important as their academic development.

Resources

There are many things families can do to support healthy development.

Birth to Five Helpline

The Birth to Five Helpline is a free service open to all families with young children looking for the latest child development information from experts in the field. Professionals may also take advantage of this free service.

Call the Helpline at 1-877-705-KIDS (5437) to speak with bilingual early childhood specialists, on duty Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You can also leave a voicemail or complete an online contact form 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Virtual video consultation services are also available.

Read On Arizona

Read On Arizona is a statewide, public/private partnership of agencies, charitable, organizations, and community stakeholders committed to creating an effective range of services to improve language and literacy outcomes for children from birth through age eight. Read On Arizona is committed to helping create an early literacy system that delivers the right program at the right time for every child.

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Special Needs

The Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) is Arizona’s statewide program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. AzEIP is established by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides eligible children and their families access to services to enhance the capacity of families and caregivers to support the child’s development.

If you have concerns about a child who is between birth and two years and nine months of age, parents, family members, you may submit an online referral to AzEIP. If you would like to learn more or have any questions, please call the Arizona Early Intervention Program at 1-888-592-0140.

Out of School Time Programs

Out-of-school time programs are important because they provide a structured environment for children to continue learning, develop social and emotional skills, explore interests, and receive additional academic support outside of regular school hours. This will potentially lead to improved academic performance, reduced risky behaviors, and a stronger sense of self-esteem, particularly for disadvantaged youth.

Afterschool Program Checklist