Early intervention services are designed to help children birth to 36-months-old, with developmental delays or disabilities, acquire fundamental and new skills that usually develop during the first three years of life. Early intervention focuses on the child and the family. It recognizes that the family may need support in understanding and enhancing their child’s development and that they may also have concerns related to everyday experiences and daily routines or events. Research has shown that children who receive early intervention services have improved social and intellectual skills, are more independent, and have families who feel better able to meet their needs. This course will review the research and provide you with ways to support young children with developmental delays or disabilities and to combine support for families with individualized and early intervention services.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the importance of collaborating with families and service providers,
• Discuss how to create a responsive environment,
• Discuss how to foster social development and interactions,
• Identify the most effective ways to support communication,
• Discuss how to facilitate the development of life skills, and
• Discuss how play supports brain development.

These strategies are job-embedded and will need to be implemented with the preschoolers in your program.