Health Care Provider Portal Information

 

Introduction

Children’s brains grow most rapidly in the first few years of life, more than 1 million new neural connections form EVERY SECOND.

Brain development, particularly for precursors of literacy such as language, is time-sensitive.

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Literacy levels are directly correlated to school success, income levels, health & well being throughout life. Children learn early literacy skills from their caregivers. Without intervention low literacy is generational.

Early intervention is the key.

Well baby visits are an opportunity for health care providers to reinforce the “early & often messages” and to connect caregivers & children with resources and programs in their community.

 

Prenatal Visit

Message

• Your baby can hear you at around 18 weeks - talk, read, sing to your baby so they know the rhythm and sounds of your voice and language.

• Having books in the home is one of the best investments you can make to prepare for your baby.

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Red Flag

No books in the home.

Resources

Region of Waterloo Online Prenatal Classes - regionofwaterloo.ca/onlineprenatal.

Visit your EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca to find out what programs and services are available to help you prepare for baby.

Visit IdeaExchange.org for resources including books & videos on preparing for parenting.

Newborn Visit

Message

• The quality of caregiving a baby receives has a long-term impact on babies developing brain. Starting from day one!

• A secure attachment relationship with their caregiver allows babies brain to develop best. A child will learn to speak, think and express emotion from their caregiver. Face to face and responsive is the best way to interact with your baby.

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Red Flag

Parent not responding to babies cues.

Parent not using face to face interaction with baby.

 

 

Resources

Sleep and Your New Baby: reserve spot to learn about baby sleep cycles and how to respond. Register at EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca.  

Website for parents to learn about brain development: healthybabyhealthybrain.ca.

Visit IdeaExchange.org for resources & programs for you and your new baby.

4 Month Visit

Message

• Serve and return interactions shape brain architecture. When an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and strengthened in the child's brain that support the development of communication and social skills.

• The more words your baby hears the better. Talk everywhere, talk often and respond when baby tries ‘talking’ to you.

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Red Flag

Startle reflex absent.

At 3 months not tracking objects by sight or sound.

 

 

Resources

Visit your EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca to find out what programs and services are available, make connections and find support.

Visit IdeaExchange.org to get your newborn their own library card, to borrow books for baby and for programs and resources.

6 Month Visit

Message

• Your baby is beginning to play with sounds. Some of your babies sounds may even sound like words.

• Your baby can also tell the difference between tone of voice.

• Rhymes, songs and fun voices will encourage this new learning.

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Red Flag

Not responsive to sounds or familiar voice.

Low or absent attention to human faces.

 

 

Resources

babyconnections.ca is a free community program that helps families to develop literacy skills with their babies from 6 to 12 months.

Visit your EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca to find out what programs and services are available, make connections and find support.

Visit IdeaExchange.org to get your newborn their own library card, to borrow books for baby and for programs and resources.

9 Month Visit

Message

• Read to your baby

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Red Flag

Little attention to pictures or books.

By 12 months not gesturing or pointing.

 

 

Resources

FamilyCompassWR.ca - your first step to finding community-based services and supports for parents, youth and children in Waterloo Region.

Visit your EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca to find out what programs and services are available, make connections and find support (including help with navigating the family compass).

Visit IdeaExchange.org to get your newborn their own library card, to borrow books for baby and for programs and resources.

1 Year Visit

Message

• Many babies have one or two words and understand 25 or more. He will give you a toy if you ask for it. Even without words, he can ask you for something—by pointing, reaching for it, or looking at it and babbling. You can help your child say the words he knows, and provide the words your baby doesn’t know yet.

• Engage child in the book - point and follow their interests.

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Red Flag

Does not point to photos or pictures on request.

Shows displeasure with tickle, bouncing, nursery rhymes.

 

 

Resources

getsetlearn.ca  A program that helps families get ready for school and offers caregivers ideas for helping children succeed in school. They also offer adult literacy and family literacy programs.

FamilyCompassWR.ca - your first step to finding community-based services and supports for parents, youth and children in Waterloo Region.

Visit your EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca to find out what programs and services are available, make connections and find support (including help with navigating the family compass).

Visit IdeaExchange.org to get your newborn their own library card, to borrow books for baby and for programs and resources.

2 Year Visit

Message

• Let your child be more active in the reading process. Provide books that are interactive - touch and feel or pop up books.

• Your child’s language skills are growing. They will string more words together to create simple sentences. They will be able to answer simple questions. They will do more pretend play, acting out imaginary scenes.

• Bring books to life by acting them out or looking for real life objects from the book.

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Red Flag

Does not pretend to read.

No interest in holding a marker or pencil.

Lack of attention to books/reading.

 

 

Resources

Kidsability

FamilyCompassWR.ca - your first step to finding community-based services and supports for parents, youth and children in Waterloo Region.

Visit your EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca to find out what programs and services are available, make connections and find support (including help with navigating the family compass).

Visit IdeaExchange.org to get your newborn their own library card, to borrow books for baby and for programs and resources.

3 Year Visit

Message

• A child’s vocabulary by age three is a good indicator of their future success in vocabulary, language development, and reading comprehension.

• Help your child scribble, draw, and make letters and find words and letters in the world around them.

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Red Flag

Does not seem interested in songs or rhymes.

No pincer grasp.

Lack of attention to stories.

Little interest in looking at books.

Has not started to recognize familiar signs.

 

 

Resources

Preparing for Kindergarten.

FamilyCompassWR.ca - your first step to finding community-based services and supports for parents, youth and children in Waterloo Region.

Visit your EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca to find out what programs and services are available, make connections and find support (including help with navigating the family compass).

Visit IdeaExchange.org to get your newborn their own library card, to borrow books for baby and for programs and resources.

4 Year Visit

Message

• Children’s brains develop through exploration, thinking skills, problem solving, and language expressions that happen while they’re playing.

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Red Flag

Cannot copy a circle when shown.

Lack of attention span to listen to short story and/or difficulty retelling.

Cannot identify at least the first letter in their name.

 

 

Resources

Preparing for Kindergarten.

FamilyCompassWR.ca - your first step to finding community-based services and supports for parents, youth and children in Waterloo Region.

Visit your EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca to find out what programs and services are available, make connections and find support (including help with navigating the family compass).

Visit IdeaExchange.org to get your newborn their own library card, to borrow books for baby and for programs and resources.

5 Year Visit

Message

• Reading aloud in the early years exposes children to story knowledge, print knowledge, and rare words and ideas not found in day to day conversations.

• It’s important for children to practice listening.

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Red Flag

Cannot identify most alphabet letters.

Cannot count to 5 in imitation.

Difficulty retelling story in the right order.

Little interest in simple writing activities.

 

 

Resources

Kidsability

FamilyCompassWR.ca - your first step to finding community-based services and supports for parents, youth and children in Waterloo Region.

Visit your EarlyOn Centre - earlyyearsinfo.ca to find out what programs and services are available, make connections and find support (including help with navigating the family compass).

Visit IdeaExchange.org to get your newborn their own library card, to borrow books for baby and for programs and resources.