Throughout the parenting journey, you will experience joys and challenges. Each moment will be memorable, from holding your baby for the first time to kissing their boo-boos. As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your child’s growth and development in every stage of their life. The path is different for every family, and when a child has developmental delays, the parenting realm can pose additional complexities.  While parenting a child with developmental delays may seem overwhelming at times, numerous valuable resources are available to help you and your child thrive. This blog will explore some of the...

A child’s early years mark a time of rapid growth. One of the most important aspects of this stage is a child’s brain development because it lays the foundation for a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social abilities. As parents and caregivers, understanding child brain development is vital to providing a nurturing environment for a child to thrive. To help you understand the importance of brain development, we will explore the key stages of child brain development, the factors that influence this intricate process, and how you can help your child thrive.  What Are the Key Stages of Child Brain Development? ...

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

Early intervention is an incredibly helpful resource for children experiencing developmental delays. It offers specially tailored support and services to help children reach their full developmental potential.  Understanding the early intervention evaluation process is key to accessing the appropriate services. If you have concerns about your child’s development, familiarizing yourself with the evaluation process as soon as possible can significantly affect how your child learns and grows.  Referring Your Child to BabyNet: The First Step Towards Early Invention A referral is required to access BabyNet services and determine your child’s eligibility for the program. Making a BabyNet referral is a...

Along with growth spurts and motor skills, communication is one of the most recognized developmental milestones. A child’s communication skills are determined by their ability to use speech and language to express themselves and understand others. For these reasons, reaching specific communication milestones during the infant and toddler stages is a key indicator of growth and development.  Want to learn more about communication milestones for babies and toddlers? Just read on! What Are Communication Milestones? While every child grows and develops at their own pace, there are certain milestones that parents and caregivers can use as benchmarks for a child’s...

From case management to occupational therapy, effective early intervention includes a variety of developmental services. Each one is important in guaranteeing a child’s growth. Because of their specialized training, early intervention service coordinators are crucial in managing a child’s case, identifying their needs, and facilitating access to necessary assistance.  If you’re considering a career in early intervention services, this quick overview can help you understand the role, how it fits into the early intervention process, and how it benefits children and their families.  What Is an Early Intervention Service Coordinator?  Early intervention service coordinators (EISC) are trained professionals that help...

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by diminished verbal communication abilities, repetitive behaviors, and impaired social interactions. It can often be detected and accurately diagnosed in a child as young as 18 months. An early diagnosis gives your child the ability to begin working towards building foundational skills sooner. Early intervention for autism capitalizes on the potential learning capabilities of a very young child’s brain, and it can result in significant advances in your child’s growth and development over time.  What Is Early Intervention for Autism?  Early intervention for Autism is the process of providing services and support to...

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

When it comes to childhood development, early intervention specialists are essential players. Interventionists are trained to identify potential developmental delays and offer an array of services that can help young children learn and grow.  If you’re considering an early intervention specialist career, these frequently asked questions can help you understand what to expect and how to become a trained interventionist.  What Is an Early Intervention Specialist?  Early intervention specialists are trained professionals that work with children ages zero through six years who have or are at risk of having developmental delay or disability. The services offered by our specialists can...

Whether you’re a new or experienced parent, learning how to do infant massage can benefit your baby. Just like adults, infants find soothing massages very relaxing, and their small bodies have much to gain. Because touch is one of the most developed senses at birth, infant massage offers various techniques to aid your baby’s development.  So, if you’re looking for more ways to soothe and connect with your baby, consider making infant massage a part of your routine.  What Is Infant Massage?  Infant massage is the practice of soothing a baby’s body with gentle strokes. Often, parents and trusted caretakers...

Are you noticing your child is having difficulty with everyday tasks like using silverware, dressing themselves, or playing with others? If your child isn’t reaching milestones for their age, occupational therapy could be a helpful tool for you and your family.  To help you understand if occupational therapy could be suitable for your child, let’s learn what occupational therapy for children is, what it can help with, typical activities for children, and more.  What is Occupational Therapy For Children?  Occupational therapy uses everyday activities and exercises to help patients of all ages regain independence and overcome developmental, physical, mental, and...

BabyNet is South Carolina’s interagency early Play is an essential tool for encouraging your child’s speech and language development. Engaging your child in various intentional activities helps them develop the necessary skills while contributing to their cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. These educational activities are also designed to be fun and engaging because children learn best when learning is enjoyable. Let’s dive into our list of activities to encourage speech and language development, broken down by infants and toddlers.  For Infants Birth to 2 Years Old Here are a few activities to encourage speech and language development for your infant...

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

During the first few years of your child’s life, they’ll grow and develop immensely. Keeping your eye out for significant milestones is key so you can know if they’re progressing at a positive rate. We’ll discuss the key cognitive development milestones for children between the ages of 0 and 3 years so you’ll know how to support them best.  A Guide To Cognitive Development Milestones While every child develops at their own pace, there are certain cognitive development milestones they should accomplish in a timely manner. If you’re worried that your child isn’t meeting milestones – don’t fret. Early intervention...

If your child has a developmental delay, early intervention is the best course of action. You might be wondering, “What is early intervention, and how can it help my child?” or “Are early intervention services free in SC?” We’re here to tell you everything you need to know.  Your Guide to Early Intervention in SC Developmental delays in infants and toddlers are more common than most people know. According to the CDC, one in six children from the ages of 3 years through 17 years has one or more developmental disabilities. Many of these delays can be addressed with suitable...

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

Do you think your child might have hearing loss? The signs aren’t always obvious, so we’re here to help. We’ll explain what hearing loss is, the signs of hearing loss in infants and toddlers, and what you can do to make sure your child gets the support they need.  Hearing Loss in Infants and Toddlers Hearing loss can impact a child’s language development and social skills. The earlier the hearing loss is diagnosed, the sooner they can get the assistance they need and reach their full potential.  What Is Hearing Loss? Hearing loss is when any part of the ear...

Are you the parent of a child with special needs, or do you suspect they might have a developmental delay? This can be challenging, and sometimes you might not know where to turn, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone. There are various South Carolina special needs resources to support your family. 5 South Carolina Special Needs Resources Throughout the state of South Carolina, there’s an array of programs and organizations designed to help families of children with developmental delays. Read on to discover five of the most helpful South Carolina special needs resources.  1. BabyNet BabyNet is...

We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old Positions are available in the following counties: Charleston Kershaw Richland If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers. For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com. Latest Posts Blog Categories Get In Touch

Wondering if your child might have a developmental delay can be scary. In some cases, Down syndrome can be detected before birth, but that’s not always the case. Let’s discuss the early signs of Down syndrome and how to best support your child.  What Is Down Syndrome? Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are often described as small “packages” of genes inside the body. These chromosomes determine how a baby’s body forms and develops during pregnancy and after birth.  Typically, babies are born with 46 chromosomes. Babies born with Down syndrome have...

Gross motor skills are important markers for your child’s development. While every child develops differently, these general gross motor milestones can provide a helpful benchmark for you to determine how your child is progressing as they grow.  What Are Gross Motor Skills? Gross motor skills require whole-body movement and involve the body’s large, core-stabilizing muscles to perform everyday functions. The most common gross motor skills include standing, walking, running, jumping, and sitting upright. They also include hand-eye coordination skills, such as throwing and catching a ball, riding a bike, or swimming.  Gross Motor Milestones By Age Every baby is unique...

Language development is a key aspect of any child’s growth, and many parents worry that they could be the cause of their child’s speech delay. More often than not, that isn’t the case, though.  Did you know that regular speech and verbal activities can help your child develop their speaking ability and avoid language development delays? To put your mind at ease, we’ll show you five fun-filled, engaging language development activities for your 2-3 year old that you can implement in your daily routine to help them learn and grow.  What Is a Language Development Delay? First, let’s establish what...

EI Spotlight “Ashley has been with About Play since June 2022. Ashley goes above and beyond to provide quality service to her families. Ashley always has a fun and bright personality and the willingness to learn. Thank you, Ashley for all that you do!  We appreciate all that you bring to About Play and our upstate team!!!!” -Reg Dir Mitoya Child Spotlight “Larichas been nominated for About Play’s child spotlight for October. Larichas made great progress since coming to About Play. Laricloves to talk and show off his ring stacker to EI Annah. Laricis currently working on furthering his communication....

Important Fine Motor Milestones Your Child Should Be Meeting as They Grow If you’re a parent, you know how important it is for your child to hit their milestones, and you want them to hit them on time. While some milestones are easy to identify, such as rolling over or sitting up, fine motor skills milestones may be more challenging to spot in a growing child – especially infants.  Hitting fine motor milestones on time is crucial to your child’s future coordination and movement, but you need to know what you’re looking for. We’ll explain important fine motor milestones your...

EI Spotlight “Caitlin has been with About Play since February 2022 and has been such an asset to the team! She is dedicated to the families she serves and ensures that quality services are provided. Caitlin goes above and beyond to find helpful resources and services for her families. Caitlin consistently finds fun activities for her children to participate in and ensures that they are working on meeting their goals. Thank you for all that you do Caitlin! We appreciate all that you bring to About Play and our upstate team!!!!” -Reg Dir Beth Child Spotlight “Mariah has recently shown...