What is Developmental Screening?

Developmental screening is a brief method completed by a parent or caregiver to quickly identify a child’s progress through foundational early childhood developmental milestones.  A child’s development can be measured by how a child learns, speaks, moves, behaves and relates.  Skills such as smiling, waving, and talking are developmental milestones. 

Developmental screening is important as it could help identify a child in need of additional resources or services. Providers or pediatricians can link parents to these resources and services, many of which are free. Children that receive these services and resources at earlier ages are often able to make better gains in their development rather than waiting until later ages.

Maryland State Department of Education highly recommends all licensed child care providers (including child care centers and family child care home providers) to conduct screening on children aged 6 weeks - 5 years of age (prior to kindergarten entry).  Child care providers should share the results with the family.  If a child shows any developmental concerns, the family may decide to seek further evaluation for the child. There are many free resources in Maryland from which to choose, and the child care provider should help the family access those resources.

For Frequently Asked Questions click here

For Referral Form click here

For Information on Recommended Screening Tools click here

For Information on Training click here

For Additional Resources click here