Birth to 3 Years – Publications and Websites
Not finding what you’re looking for? Additional resources are available by calling our Helpline at (800) 578-2592. Packets available in English and Spanish.
¿No encuentra lo que busca? Hay recursos adicionales disponibles llamando a nuestra Línea de ayuda al (800) 578-2592. Paquetes disponibles en Inglés y Español.
Developmental Milestones
Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (for example, crawling and walking).
Children develop at their own pace, so it’s impossible to tell exactly when a child will learn a given skill. However, the developmental milestones give a general idea of the changes to expect as a child gets older.
As a parent, you know your child best. If your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or if you think there could be a problem with your child’s development, talk with your child’s doctor and share your concerns. Don’t wait. (from Developmental Milestones)
Matrix Packets, Other Publications and Website Links
As you start out on your journey in advocating for your little one, one important step is organizing the paperwork that you are receiving about your child. This may also include using documents to record your child’s development or responses to treatments or interventions. With a system in place to organize the right documents, it will be easier to find the information you need to share with professionals and make decisions about what your little one may need.
Matrix Training Packets
- Getting Organized: Early Years Birth to 3
- Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)
- Transition from Early Start to Preschool Services
- Organizarse Early Years – Nacimiento a 3 A os
- Plan Familiar de Servicio Individual (IFSP)
- La Transición de Early Start a los Servicios Preescolares
Matrix Help! Sheets (Downloads in both English and Spanish)
- First IEP What to Expect
- Primer IEP: que Esperar
- Who Supports You? Help for Early Years
- I need community resources to support my child’s development
- How do I decide about a Special Education preschool placement?
- Strengths are the Foundation
- My child is transitioning out of Early Start
Other Matrix Publications
The Early Edition — a newsletter published by Matrix to meet the needs of families who have children with special needs, ages birth to 36 months. (Downloads in English and Spanish)
- 2019 Fall Special Edition
- 2019 Spring Early Edition
- 2018 Fall Early Edition
- 2018 Spring Early Edition
- 2017 Fall Early Edition
- 2017 Spring Early Edition
- 2016 Fall Early Edition
Materials from Other Organizations
Growth and Development
- Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
- Developmental Milestones (source: University Michigan Health System)
- Developmental Milestones for Preemies
- Developmental Timeline — Research-based information about your child's development from birth to five
- Does My Child Have Physical developmental Delays?
- Easterseals – Make the First Five Count: Confidential Online ASQ Screening Tool
- First 5 California, Kit for New Parents
- Learn the Signs - Act Early — Important milestone information sheets and checklists
- Pacer Center: Learning to Communicate: A Timeline for Typical Development
- Talaris' Parenting Counts — A website focused on the social and emotional development of children from birth to age five
- Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive Resources
- Watch Me Thrive — A pamphlet to track your child's developmental screenings
- Early Childhood Development — An Office of the Administration for Children and Families (US Health and Human Services)
Child Care
- ADA Q&A: Child Care Providers
- Caring for Children with Special Needs (ChildAction.org)
- "Empower the Learner” Profile: A Tool for Advocacy and Self-Advocacy
Early Start
- Overview of Early Intervention
- Supporting Inclusive Early Learning: Working Together for Inclusion & Belonging
- California Teaching Pyramid: California’s Vision for Supporting Early Childhood Social and Emotional Competence
- The Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM) Prompting for Toddlers module
- CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES EARLY START INFORMATION PACKET
- DEPARTAMENTO DE SERVICIOS DE DESARROLLO DE CALIFORNIA PAQUETE DE INFORMACIÓN SOBRE EARLY START
- Early Start Central Directory
- Parents' Rights — An Early Start Guide for Families
- What is the difference between and IFSP and and IEP? (pdf)
Websites
- California MAP* to Inclusion & Belonging… *Making Access Possible: Description of MAP Resources
- Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECHM)
- Partners for Early Learning
- WestEd, Improving learning, healthy development, and equity in schools and communities
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Center for Early Literacy Learning
- Child Development and Public Health
- Early Childhood Development
- First 5 California
- First Signs
- The Hanen Centre
- Parent Center Hub — Babies and Toddlers
- Project SPIES — Strategies for Preschool Intervention in everyday settings
- Text4Baby — Includes over 250 messages for pregnant women and new mothers
- Zero to Three
- Child Outcomes: Step by Step