Children who spend their earliest years struggling with physical health, mental health, cultural, language, motivational, or learning challenges are already behind the curve when they start school. A new report from the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network provides information to guide the development of children in Delaware — particularly those in[…..]

September means it is back to school for many of our kids! Help your child start this new school year, happy and healthy. Nutrition is a big part of development. Healthy foods make students better learners. A child who has a well-balanced meal is more alert in the classroom. They score better on tests. They[…..]

Your baby is on the move! It takes time but eventually your baby will start to crawl. This is an exciting time for you and your little one. Crawling is part of growing up. It is one major milestone for your baby. Crawling is not easy! It takes muscle strength, coordination, and determination. You will[…..]

Hold your baby close—it helps. The urge to hug and kiss your child and to care for your child is a form of bonding. A bond is a strong connection between a child and parent. You should interact with your child as much as possible. It is an important part of a child’s growth process.[…..]

Every moment is a teaching moment. You can help your child grow by creating learning moments. Talking is teaching. The words you say or the songs you sing help. It might seem like a small task — yet, your words matter. The words you say to your baby are helping them develop their own language[…..]

  Cold and flu season is here!  It’s true, your baby can get a cold any time of the year. But, the winter tends to bring more germs than usual. Your baby is still building up their immune system. It is easier for him or her to pick up germs. Family members or child care[…..]

  Playtime. It is the source of laughter, excitement, and just letting your child enjoy themselves. Yet, playtime is more than that. It is an important time for your growing child. Unstructured playtime gives your child the chance to learn through play. Every day your baby will learn something new. Playtime is the perfect time[…..]

  A curious baby is a healthy baby. Curiosity means your baby is trying to learn how things work. Your baby will learn new things right away. Sitting, walking, or crawling to name a few! Your baby will also start to develop problem-solving skills.  This is the way a child thinks and makes decisions. It[…..]

  Summer is a great chance to keep your kids active. Show them how great it is to be outside by using our QT30 activities! QT30 is quality time you spend with your kids for 30 minutes a day. These 30 minutes can be filled with activities that are fun, educational, and help engage their[…..]

  Being a parent can be one of the most rewarding and most challenging experiences. Whether by chance, or by choice, you’ve been placed in this role. It’s not uncommon to ask yourself, “am I ready for this?” It’s important to recognize that your child’s early years are vital and can shape their entire future.[…..]

Being a parent is a full-time job. Even the best parents still need some help from time to time. That’s why you should look into the Help Me Grow. Help Me Grow is a great system to connect parents and their children to needed services through a centralized access point such as 2-1-1.  Maybe you[…..]

A new baby at home can be exciting, happy, overwhelming, and tiring all at once. Every day will be a new challenge. Every day will be a new learning experience. Through it all, there is one thing that every parent should know. That is Help Me Grow. Help Me Grow 2-1-1 is a resource for[…..]

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (NCMHA) is Thursday, May 10, 2018! This day recognizes the importance of children’s mental health and how it affects their development. Mental health for children means reaching developmental and emotional milestones. Being mentally healthy is important for all children. A mentally healthy child builds strong social skills and can[…..]

When you have a child, the most important thing is making sure they grow up as healthy as possible. Managing a balanced diet for your little one can be difficult. A great way to plan out meals and healthy habits is by thinking about what nutrients, vitamins and minerals they need. Here are just a[…..]

New parents often find themselves asking, “is this normal?” or “should my child still be doing this at this age?” These are not only common, but great questions that parents should be seeking answers to! It means you’re invested in your child’s development and want to make sure he or she is on the right[…..]

Learning that your child has ADHD, or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, can seem scary. As long as you have the right resources, there is no doubt that your child can live a healthy life with ADHD. So, what is it? According to Kids Health, ADHD is a behavioral disorder that affects at least 10% of school-age[…..]

Summer is an exciting time for families! Adventures in the park, the playgrounds, or even a walk around the block. You and your little ones will spend a lot more time outdoors. No matter the type of quality time activity, being safe in the sun and staying healthy is important! While a little vitamin D[…..]

You are your baby’s first teacher. Every day, your baby is watching your movements. They are watching what you do and copying it. You smile. They smile. Your baby is growing with your support. Everyday interactions help shape a smart child. Early introduction to language helps build reading and writing skills important for a successful[…..]

Did you know your baby’s kicks are telling you something? Counting kicks during every pregnancy is important. It helps you monitor your baby’s health and may help to prevent stillbirth. You should keep track of your baby’s kicks when you hit your 24th week of pregnancy. It’s important to know what times are best to[…..]

Even before your child’s first words, they will develop their own unique way of communicating with you. As soon as your child is born start talking, singing and rhyming about anything and everything. Even before they walk or talk, babies learn by what they see, hear and feel. According to Zero to Three, most babies[…..]

Take care of your body before and during pregnancy. The right diet and enough physical activity are important steps to take for yourself and your baby. During pregnancy, some women develop gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes can develop even if you did not have diabetes before pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes can still deliver a healthy,[…..]

Biting is becoming a common behavior among toddlers and it has a lot of parents worried. Where does this act of aggression come from? According to Zero to Three, many toddlers resort to biting to express strong feelings like anger or use this action as a way to tell someone they need space. As a[…..]

Being a parent can be one of the most rewarding and most challenging experiences. Whether by chance, or by choice, you’ve been placed in this role and it’s not uncommon to ask yourself, “am I ready for this?” It’s important to recognize that your child’s early years are vital and can shape their entire future.[…..]

There is no doubt that a new parent will have a list of questions from the moment they arrive home with their new baby. All first-time parents constantly worry about being the best parent. You are not alone. Help Me Grow is a helpline where parents can get answers to questions relating to childcare. A[…..]

    ACES is short for the term Adverse Childhood Experiences. ACES are events that a child experiences that have a negative impact on his or her life. ACES include abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. A growing child will struggle if he or she grows up in a negative environment. Children are at more risk[…..]