Early childhood encompasses birth to age 8. It is a critical time for child development. Children are learning a variety of academic and social-emotional skills they will need throughout their life.
Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher, and you know your child better than anyone. Finding out your child has a disability or developmental delay can be overwhelming. It can be challenging to navigate a new diagnosis, learning how to support your child’s development, and finding the resources available to help along the way.
The hardest step can be knowing where to turn. Whether you just received a new diagnosis, have questions about early childhood special education, and/or want to know about resources available to help your family, PEATC is here to help!
These handouts provide short and relevant information about a variety of topics to help parents and caregivers of young children navigate services and support their little one’s development.
Early Intervention and Education
- Connecting the Dots: from Referral to Eligibility
- Connecting the Dots: Planning Your Child’s Move from Early Intervention to Preschool
- Developmental Checklist (Birth – Age 2)
- Developmental Checklist (Age 3-5)
- Early Childhood Inclusion
- Early Intervention Dispute Resolution Options
- Early Intervention For Infants and Toddlers
- Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment – EPSDT
- Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Checklist
- Least Restrictive Environment in Early Childhood Programs
- Part C vs. Part B of IDEA
- Transitioning to Early Childhood Special Education Services
- Transitioning to Kindergarten
Supporting Your Little One
Education
Statewide
Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (ITC) (Ages 0 through 2) – ITC provides early intervention supports and services to infants and toddlers from birth through age two who are not developing as expected or who have a medical condition that can delay normal development. Phone: 800-234-1448
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Office of Early Childhood (Birth to 5) – VDOE is responsible for leading and facilitating the public education system including special education (IDEA Part B) and working with stakeholders to build a unified early childhood care and education system
National
U.S. Department of Education Early Learning – Through programs and initiatives, OEL works on improving the educational and social emotional outcomes for young children from birth through 3rd grade.
Parent-to-Parent
Arc of Virginia New Path – A program of the Arc, New Path is a support network for families in early intervention to connect with one another
