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 he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.
Easter Seals Ages & Stages Questionnaires
Easter seals 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
Most of the behavior children exhibit at each age and stage of development is quite normal.
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.
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.
Ages and Stages Resources
There are many things families can do to support healthy development. Information about developmental milestones is available to help children during each stage.
- Birth to Five Helpline
- Read On Arizona
- Special Needs
- School Age
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, philanthropic organizations, and community stakeholders committed to creating an effective continuum 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.
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.
School Age
A child’s first and most influential teachers throughout their life and educational career are their parents/guardians. Parents/guardians who are actively involved in their child’s education from birth until they graduate high school foster a life-long love of learning. Active parenting helps to boost school attendance, decrease behavioral issues, improve grades, showcase social skills that will allow students to adapt better at school and increase the probability of graduating high school. To support a child’s education it is critical for parents to attend parent/teacher conferences and school functions. As stated by the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s
School-age typically refers to the age range when children attend formal education institutions. This usually starts around 5 or 6 years old and continues until around 18. During these years, children are divided into different educational levels, including preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school. In Arizona, children must attend school or comply with the homeschool laws starting in the school year in which they turn 6 before September 1. They must remain in school until they turn 16 or complete the 10th grade.
For additional information on your child’s educational journey, visit the Arizona Department of Education parent resource page.