The early childhood system evolves as fast as our children grow. From new legislation and programs to the best practices in health care, keep checking here for the latest news, insights and advice to help navigate your child’s early years.
The first five years of your child’s life are full of exciting milestones—and early childhood developmental screenings are one of the best ways to make sure your child is on track and getting the support they need to thrive. That’s why First 5 Nevada and The Children’s Cabinet are hosting a series of FREE Early Childhood Screening Events across the state—bringing valuable tools, resources, and support directly to families in their communities.
Check out the new “Understanding Early Intervention Therapy & Support Services” resource available on First 5 Nevada. This resource helps break down the different types of services available to young children who may need extra support and provides tips on how to access services.
Social-emotional development is essential for helping children grow into healthy, confident, and capable adults. A key part of this is self-management, or the ability to manage one's emotions. This skill is one of the focus areas in UNR Extension’s Everyday SEL and You family engagement program. Discover why building this skill is essential for supporting your child’s development and overall well-being.
All families are different, in terms of composition and needs, but one thing that we have in common is that all families could use a little help. With that in mind, the Nevada Department of Education has designed a series of tools to benefit families with different needs.
Developed by the national early childhood organization ZERO TO THREE, the Baby Brain Map is an easy-to-use, interactive guide that visually explains how a child’s brain is built over time. Rather than focusing only on milestones, the Brain Map explores what’s happening inside a baby’s brain.
While the official day is April 2nd, many organizations extend the celebration for Autism Awareness Month, dedicating time to educating communities, sharing stories, and increasing support for individuals with autism. The goal is to foster acceptance, encourage inclusion, and build a more supportive world for people on the autism spectrum.
Nevada’s Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Title V Program is working to better understand the needs of mothers, children and families across the state. And researchers at UC Davis are conducting a study to explore how past life experiences of mothers may influence health care decisions for their babies, including vitamins and vaccinations during and after pregnancy. Find links to participate in this article.
Everyday moments at home offer powerful opportunities to support development. To help Nevada families feel confident and supported, First 5 Nevada has added new, easy-to-use PDF resources designed especially for families of four- to five-year-old children. These resources help turn daily routines into meaningful learning experiences that build skills for school and life.
Special Needs Trusts help parents plan for the future of a child with complex medical needs. If your child is under five years old, the future might seem very far away. However, talking to a professional now can help you build a plan that grows with your child. Taking small steps today makes the "big stuff" much easier to handle later.