Parenting resources for early childhood years

Talk about it

As parents, we are “supposed to” know how to raise our children, right?

If our babies were born with instruction manuals specific to each child, we might be more secure in knowing that we are raising that child “exactly” as they need to be raised. But, of course, children do not come with instruction manuals!

What we do know is that babies and young children grow and learn at their own rate.

If you are looking for an easy way to track your child’s growth and development, an Infant Follow Along Program is available to parents of children ages birth to 3 in Douglas County.

The Follow Along Program helps parents learn about their child’s growth and development. Parents fill out simple questionnaires that ask specific questions regarding age appropriate activities that describe their child’s abilities.

Much of parenting is from experience, but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

There are many community resources in Douglas County that offer education and activities that focus on young children. To name a few: Douglas County Library, ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education), Early Intervention, Head Start, Public Health, Building Connections, Community Education, Windmill Project, Lakes Area Recreation, Alexandria Area YMCA, Childcare Centers, primary medical clinics and others.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions when it comes to the needs of your child. All parents want their children to be “healthy,” but sometimes your child just needs a little help to master the challenges of his or her stage of development.

If you have questions or concerns about how your child is hearing, seeing, moving, playing, talking, learning, growing or acting, or if you want to sign up for the Infant Follow Along Program, contact Connie at Douglas County Public Health at (320) 763-6018.

Tags: parenting, resources, douglas, county, public, health