Sources: Courtney Luecking, assistant extension professor; David Weisenhorn, senior extension specialist; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

From the time they are born until they reach age 5, young children experience immense development. During this period, they should hit important developmental milestones in the ways they play, speak, act and move.

You can learn about these developmental milestones, as well as concerning behaviors to look for, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. website and companion mobile app. Both are available online at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html. This site explains developmental milestones for children as young as two-months-old, concerning behaviors and the next steps you should take if you are worried about any aspect of your child’s development.

Expressing your developmental concerns early to your child’s health care provider and developing an action plan with them can increase the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention. Research has also shown acting early can change a child’s developmental path as well as help families understand and better meet the needs of their children.

If you are uneasy about your child’s developmental growth, you should reach out to your health care provider to discuss your concerns and request a developmental screening. You can also find a list of state-specific agencies that can help determine if your child is eligible for early intervention services through the CDC website.

More information on raising healthy families is available at the (COUNTY NAME) office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

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