• Education
  • Health
  • Parenting

What's "normal" when it comes to my child's development?

Posted
Children drawing letters on chalkboard

In this article, you will find answers to questions like:

  1. What should my 3-, 4- or 5-year-old be able to do?
  2. Should I trust my instincts?
  3. What local groups can help?

All children develop at their own pace. But how do you know if your child might have a developmental challenge or delay?

First, it helps to know what your child should be doing at each stage of life.

1. AT AGES 3, 4 AND 5 ...

For example, most 3-year-olds can speak clearer, name colors and pictures, name seven body parts, use words to describe emotions (like happy or sad) and name their friends.

At 4, children begin to use past tense and plurals, can follow unrelated directions, sing familiar songs and play with others. And by 5, children can copy patterns, print some letters, cut with safety scissors, recall parts of a story, want to please their friends, and sing and dance around.

2. SHOULD I TRUST MY INSTINCTS?

If you notice your child isn’t doing things other children the same age are doing, trust your judgment and alert your child’s doctor as soon as possible.

You also can take action on your own. Observe your child. If you notice over time that your child is consistently not keeping up with their friends, you can reach out for help in the community.

“People often think it’s bad behavior or bad parenting,” says Sharon Alexander of Unicorn Children’s Foundation in Boca Raton. “There are programs for children from birth, with no costs to the family. I’m always telling families to err on the side of caution.”

3. WHAT LOCAL GROUPS CAN HELP?

If there is a delay, early intervention can often help children catch up to their peers.

For example, you can call the free 211 HelpLine and ask for Help Me Grow or the Special Needs Hotline. The 211 specialist will ask you questions and usually can find you help within 24 hours. The 211 specialist also will call you back in a few weeks to check on you.

“We don’t just give them a phone number and say, ‘Have a nice life,’ ” says Randee Gabriel, programs manager of 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast. “We call them up. One of the main reasons parents don’t come to an appointment is that they don’t know why it’s important. They may be thinking, ‘I make $7.50 an hour and if I miss five hours of work, I don’t get to buy groceries this week.’ So we tell them why it’s important to go. They know they have a support person.”

Families often have several problems to solve, in fact. The 211 specialists start by helping them keep a roof over their heads, find food pantries and secure help paying the electric bill, if needed. They also ask every caller if they have young children and if they are having any problems at school or home.

“I say to them, we’re free, we’re confidential, and there may be resources out there that we can help them tap into,” says Jennifer Harris, a Special Needs advocate for 211.

Children younger than 6 also can be assessed for free by child developmental specialists through HomeSafe, which is funded by Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. Young children who are identified at risk for a delay may be referred to programs such as Early Steps, a program of Easterseals Florida, or First Step to Success, run by The Arc Palm Beach County.

The Palm Beach County School District also offers help for young children. Its Child Find program evaluates children ages 3 to 5. If children need special education in prekindergarten, they can be placed in a program within 60 days, says school district’s Kevin McCormick, director of exceptional student education. Call 561-434-8740.

Whatever your concern as a parent, don’t panic. Palm Beach County has resources that can help.

SOURCES:

• Randee Gabriel, programs manager, 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast
• Jennifer Harris, Special Needs advocate, 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast
• Kevin McCormick, director of Exceptional Student Education, School District of Palm Beach County
• Sharon Alexander, chief executive officer, Unicorn Children’s Foundation

You May Also Like

    • Behavior
    • Education
    • Parenting

    Start early, research and trust gut for selecting kindergarten

    Do you have no idea where to start looking for your child's first school? Well, annual kindergarten roundups are a great way to assess schools and meet principals. Read on for more …

    Read More
    • Education
    • Health
    • Parenting

    Child Find provides therapy to kids as young as 3 with delays

    The Palm Beach County School District’s Child Find program continues therapy for children with developmental delays who started in other organizations' earlier programs. But enroll …

    Read More
    • Behavior
    • Health
    • Parenting

    Lay foundation for your preschooler’s independence

    Even little children yearn for independence. That's why it's OK to offer your child a little space to grow — just be available to provide guidance if they need help. Read on for mo …

    Read More

Related resources

    • Behavior
    • Education
    • Health

    211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast

    Help Me Grow – information, guidance and developmental assessment of children up to age 8

    2-1-1 Website
    • Behavior
    • Education
    • Health

    211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast

    Special needs hotline

    2-1-1 Website
    • Education
    • Health
    • Parenting

    Florida Atlantic University - Center for Autism and Related Disabilities

    Free information, training and support based in Boca Raton for people with autism and related disabilities, as well as for their families and employers

    561-213-5751 Website
    • Education
    • Parenting

    Dyslexia, Learning and Support Group Florida

    Helps parents and teachers navigate the community's resources to assist children with specific learning disabilities

    561-601-5883 Website
    • Education
    • Health

    School District of Palm Beach County

    Child Find — screening, evaluation, services and placement of children with special learning needs

    561-434-7337 Website