Baby Communication Milestones (YouTube, video)
Einstein on: Baby and Toddler Milestones, Dr. Lisa Shulman | Albert Einstein College of Medicine
In this public service video for parents, Lisa Shulman, M.D., uses video of babies and toddlers to show the communication milestones expected in typically developing children. She also discusses what parents should do if they suspect their child is developmentally delayed.
Brain Hero (external website)
This 3 minute video was developed by the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University and the University of Southern California and is based on visuals from interactive video game formats. This video “portrays how actions taken by parents, teachers, policymakers, and others can affect life outcomes for both the child and the surrounding community.”
Brain Rules for Baby Videos (external website)
This series of videos are based on the book, Brain Rules for Baby by John Medina. Brain research related to a variety of topics, such as discipline, breastfeeding, and communication, are covered in an accessible, easy-to-understand format.
Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything (YouTube, video)
This video was developed by The Ounce of Prevention Fund and shares a powerful message about the importance of investing in the early years and the difference we all can make in a child’s life.
Child Development: Relationships and the Environment (YouTube, video)
VA’s Integrated Training Collaborative | Partnership for People with Disabilities at VCU
This video describes how relationships and the environment are interwoven and impact development as children grow.
“Little Kids, Big Questions” Podcast Series (external website)
Zero to Three
Little Kids, Big Questions is a series of 12 podcasts with leading experts that translates the research of early childhood development into practices that mothers, fathers and other caregivers can tailor to the needs of their own child and family.
Learn the Signs. Act Early. – Virginia Handouts (external website)
A series of handouts from the CDC’s Act Early campaign have been adapted for Virginia and are available on the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia website www.infantva.org (external website). These handouts are available in English and Spanish and cover the following topics:
- Asperger Syndrome
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Cerebral Palsy
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
- Developmental Screening
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- Fragile X Syndrome
- Hearing Loss
- Intellectual Disability
- Vision Loss
- Resources
The Magic of Everyday Moments: Seeing is Believing (Video Series) (external website)
Zero to Three
This video series is designed to help parents and students of child development understand how they can best help young children thrive. Visit the site above for information about all videos plus bonus materials including a user’s guide and parent handouts. For direct links to each video, click below.
Media and Children (YouTube, video)
TEDxRainier – Dimitri Christakis
Dr. Christakis is a pediatrician, parent, and researcher. His presentation covers early brain development and the impact of media exposure and overstimulation.
Milestones in Action (external website)
Learn the Signs. Act Early. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Visit this page for a free library of photos and videos of developmental milestones between ages 2 months to 5 years. Information is provided about social/emotional, language/communication, cognitive, and movement/physical development.
Parent-Engaged Developmental Monitoring using CDC's Developmental Milestone Checklists: An Overview of Revisions and Updates(external website)
Presented by Deana McGuire Buck, M.Ed., Act Early Ambassador in Virginia
This 10-minute video provides an overview of developmental monitoring tools and recent 2022 revisions to the milestone checklists. More information about the review and revision process can be found in this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics: Evidence-Informed Milestones for Developmental Surveillance Tools.
Presentation File
Questions and Answers to Support the Release of the Paper, Evidence-Informed Milestones for Developmental Surveillance Tools, and LTSAE’s Updated Milestone Materials
Helpful Resources
Toddler Development – Practice Clips
Desired Results Access Project – Video Library
Visit this video library for clips of toddlers participating in typical routines and activities. These videos were produced for use in professional development activities to provide early interventionists, early childhood educators, and other early care and education practitioners opportunities to practice skills such as observation, documentation, and assessment. You’ll find the following toddler clips in the Practice Clips section of the library:
- Tania Playing in the Yard (3:33) Tania demonstrates a variety of gross motor, communication, and social skills.
- Ben at Dinnertime (3:04) Ben demonstrates a variety of social, communication, and mealtime skills.
- Nicholas at Story Time (2:39) Nicholas demonstrates a variety of fine motor, social, and early literacy skills.
- Crystal Moving Around (3:26) Crystal demonstrates a variety of movement, social, and communication skills.
- Max at Mealtime (3:41) Max demonstrates a variety of social, communication, and self-feeding skills.
- Severina Plays Knock Knock (1:31) Severina demonstrates a variety of social, communication, and fine motor skills.
- Alec's Morning Routine (3:53) Alec demonstrates a variety of self-help, social, and communication skills.
Facilitating and monitoring child development and play are key activities of early interventionists. Specifically, early intervention focuses on helping families promote the development of their infants and toddlers, ages birth to 36 months. Development is often best promoted during playful interactions between the child and parents and other caregivers, siblings, and other important people in a child’s life during daily activities and routines. Early interventionists help families use these playful interactions and activities to motivate children to achieve the goals that are important for development and the child’s family.