EI Spotlight “Lauren has been with About Play for about 10 months and has been such an asset to our team. She does such an awesome job ensuring each visit with her kiddos are creative and fun! Lauren is passionate about what she does and the services she provides to her kiddos and families! Thank you Lauren, we appreciate all that you bring to About Play and our community!!’ -Reg Dir MiToya Child Spotlight “Espn is a super cool kid that has shown a lot of progress since he started in March of 2021. He is now able to communicate...

Early childhood is an important time for any child. They are growing, learning new things, and developing new skills. But not all children develop skills at the same time or at the same level. Sometimes they need help and that’s where early intervention can come in. While there are many types of early intervention, speech is a common one that many parents worry about.  If you suspect your child is struggling with their speech, early intervention services may be just what your child needs. How To Know If Your Child Needs Early Intervention For Speech It can be difficult knowing...

BabyNet is the interagency early intervention system in South Carolina. It’s meant for infants and toddlers under the age of three who have developmental delays or a health condition where developmental delays are one of the symptoms. The eligibility requirements for BabyNet are pretty simple but it’s important to know what they are before you apply.  BabyNet Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for BabyNet, your child needs to be under 36 months of age and have a history that indicates they are at risk for a developmental disability or are already showing signs of a developmental disability. To determine eligibility,...

EI Spotlight “We are glad to have Parker as part of our About Play team. She is dedicated in providing quality services to our children and their families. Parker shows passion while working with children and creates her own activities to ensure they are developing and meeting their goals. Thank you Parker, we appreciate all that you bring to About Play and our community!” -Reg Dir Beth Child Spotlight “Zeke was unable to communicate when I first started with him. However, now he is able to express his wants and needs verbally, name colors, objects, and use two-word phrases. Zeke...

BabyNet is South Carolina’s interagency early intervention system for children under 3 years old who may have developmental conditions or delays. They evaluate a child’s developmental progress at no cost to the family. If a child qualifies for early intervention, BabyNet provides the children and their families with the services, resources, and information they need to give the child the best possible care. While BabyNet is a great service, it can be overwhelming for anyone who is trying to get into the system for the first time. This blog is meant to provide you with all of the information you...

The term Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) may bring many things to mind, but what exactly is an IFSP? When a child is 0-3 years old and found eligible for early intervention services, a team of professionals and parents meet together to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan. The IFSP is both the process of making the plan and the actual document. This written plan describes what the child’s current situation is, what services will be provided to the child and their family, who will provide the services, and where the services will be provided. But how do you start...

EI Spotlight “Bethany has been a great asset to our team since she joined About Play 6 months ago. She has gone above and beyond to provide quality services to the families she serves and creates beneficial visits for each of her children. Bethany’s families appreciate her effort and are happy to see her each week. Thank you, Bethany, for continuously striving to achieve the best services possible for your children and families, they and About Play appreciates you! Thank you for all your hard work and for all that you do!” -Reg Dir Jennifer Child Spotlight “Vermont was unable...

The second half of your child’s first year can be just as important as the first. There are certain milestones you’ll want to look out for to see how they are developing. Remember that every child develops differently – it’s not uncommon for a child to miss one or two of these milestones, and most will pick them up in the next month or two. But, if you’re worried that your child isn’t meeting these developmental milestones, an early intervention evaluation can help, even if it’s simply to give you peace of mind that they are developing as they should....

Teaching is a necessary and very rewarding career, but it can lead to burnout very easily, especially when you don’t have all the resources you need. If you’re looking for a career change and still want to work with children or use the knowledge you picked up as a teacher, there are a few career change ideas that just might suit you. 01. Jobs In Your Area of Expertise One of the easiest ways to transition from teaching into a new career is to look for jobs that are in your area of expertise.  If you were a math teacher,...

EI Spotlight “Bethany has been a great asset to our team since she joined About Play 6 months ago. She has gone above and beyond to provide quality services to the families she serves and creates beneficial visits for each of her children. Bethany’s families appreciate her effort and are happy to see her each week. Thank you, Bethany, for continuously striving to achieve the best services possible for your children and families, they and About Play appreciates you! Thank you for all your hard work and for all that you do!” -Reg Dir Jennifer Child Spotlight “Vermont was unable...

Multiple research studies have proven that early intervention is crucial for children with autism. While children don’t “outgrow” autism spectrum disorder, early and aggressive intervention can improve their quality of life, allowing them to gain the essential skills they need to reach their fullest potential.  According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “The early signs of ASD can cause a cascading effect on brain development. Without early detection and intervention, these indicators can lead to significant social, language, and cognitive deficits, as well as challenging behaviors.”  But before you seek early intervention, you need to understand how to recognize the early...

You need only look within one family to see how varied children are when it comes to meeting developmental milestones. One sibling might begin walking at nine months while her younger brother might not take his first steps until after his first birthday. A baby boy might be chatting up a storm at twelve months, while his older sister might only have had a few words until she was closer to two years of age. These differences are typical and expected.  However, if a child has ongoing developmental delays or multiple delays in different areas, it might signal that they...

EI Spotlight “McKenzie has been with About Play since July 2021 and has been a great addition to our team. McKenzie has developed more as an EI since she started with About Play and is able to work more independently. She has a smile on her face whenever she talks to you, and she is passionate about the services provided for her families. McKenzie puts a lot of effort into providing resources/information without hesitation for her families. Thank you for everything that you do!’ -EIS Williams Child Spotlight “Amir is three years old and has been with About Play since...

Sensory play supports everything from cognitive growth, to gross and fine motor skills, to language development and social skills – all while allowing your child to have some fun!  The best part? Sensory boxes are easy to make and can be filled with a variety of things that not only stimulate your children’s senses, but that are easy to find around the house. Let’s discuss more about why they’re important and how you can make one on your own. Why Is Sensory Play Important? When children get a chance to feel different textures and do things like scoop, sift, mix, and...

Many people don’t consider early intervention unless they have a concern that their child hasn’t started talking or walking yet. However, early intervention services encompass so much more than helping children reach just those milestones.  From cognitive development, to fine and gross motor skills, to nutrition, and even hearing or vision support, the services provided by an early intervention specialist help with a number of areas that are important to your child’s growth.  If you’re a parent new to the idea of early intervention, the more you know about what these services include, the more you can take advantage of...

EI Spotlight “Mika has been with About Play for 8 months. Mika does a great job of making sure her families needs are met and that they’re happy with the services provided. Mika always has a positive attitude and radiates joy. Thank you, Mika for all your hard work!” -EIS Monica Child Spotlight “Bryson has been getting EI services with About Play since 2019! Bryson is one of the sweetest boys you will ever meet. Bryson’s imagination is out of this world,  and he loves pretend play! Bryson is always waiting on me at the door and is ready to...

Playing might seem like it’s all just fun and games, but it’s actually learning in disguise! Certain activities can help your child discover things about themselves and the world around them. In fact, playing with your children can actually help them gain developmental skills as well as confidence, and even contribute to your child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.  So without further ado, let’s play! Check out this list of activities that will boost your child’s brain development, secretly teaching them things while having fun. Some of them may surprise you. Everyday Activities that Help Child Brain Development Mealtime...

The first 8 years of a child’s life are full of learning and growth. This is the time when children’s brains are developing and soaking up information like a sponge. That’s why the earlier you notice developmental delays or disabilities, the easier it is to help your child successfully achieve milestones as they grow. That is what early intervention (EI) is all about, and why it’s so important.  The purpose of EI is to help your child learn and grow at their own rate, with extra support from specialists in child development. Here, we’ll take a look at the goals...

EI Spotlight “Kayla has been with About Play for 2 years. She works hard to ensure that her children are provided with services and opportunities they need. Her families love her and are happy to see her each week. We are thankful we have Kayla as part of our team. Thank you Kayla for all that you do and for just being you!” -EIS Jennifer Child Spotlight “Benjamin is two years old has been with About Play since January 2021. Benjamin is very playful, loves escavators, Blimpie and assisting mom with household task. Benjamin has progressed and graduated from speech...

Do you love children and have a passion for helping them learn and grow? You have the beginnings of what it takes to be an early intervention specialist! What Does An Early Intervention Specialist Do? An EI works with families and children with developmental delays or disabilities by first assessing the child, then creating and implementing a personalized plan using age-appropriate games to help him or her overcome developmental obstacles.  An EI also provides family members with the tools and resources they need to support their child’s learning and growth. This is a career that’s highly rewarding for those passionate...

While every child is unique and tends to develop at a different rate, there are some predictive milestones to watch for that help to determine whether your child is growing and learning on a healthy and age-appropriate timeline.  When there are delays in meeting such milestones, it can be a sign that your child could use a little extra support and assistance, and the earlier that’s provided, the better. Keep in mind that if a majority of milestones are missed, it could also indicate an underlying condition. That’s why it’s so important to note which milestones your child is hitting,...

The term Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) may bring many things to mind, but what exactly is an IFSP? When a child is 0-3 years old and found eligible for early intervention services, a team of professionals and parents meet together to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan. The IFSP is both the process of making the plan and the actual document. This written plan describes what the child’s current situation is, what services will be provided to the child and their family, who will provide the services, and where the services will be provided. But how do you start...

If you suspect your child has a developmental delay or disability, don’t wait to seek early intervention support. It’s most effective when started early in your child’s life, when their brain is the most adaptable.  But even if you’re ready to get started, you might still be wondering how to actually refer your child for early intervention services. The good news is that it’s much simpler than it seems. Below, we’ll run through the process of referring your child for early intervention in South Carolina.  Who Can Make an Early Intervention Referral in SC? Before we dive into the early...

Early intervention can mean a lot of things, from helping your child play and grow to helping them learn to speak or move. In this article, we’ll explore ten of the different types of services associated with early intervention, what they involve, and how they could help your child and family. 10 Types of Early Intervention Services Any infant or toddler (between ages 0-6) that has a disability or developmental delay may qualify for early intervention services through BabyNet or the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN). However, the types of services a child receives varies depending...

When: November 17, 2021, 9AM – 11AM EST and November 18, 2021, 3PM – 6PM EST Where: 2211 Alpine Road Ext., Columbia, SC 29223 We will be hosting an onsite Job Fair & Hiring event in Columbia, SC on November 17th & November 18th, 2021. You will have the opportunity to get an up-close and personal view of our organization, learn more information about the Early Interventionist Specialist position, meet our hiring leaders, and be interviewed on the spot! Whether you are new to the industry or have a background in Early Intervention or have experience working with children, we...

Play has an important role in healthy development. For your baby, it’s not just about having fun – it’s about growing and learning about the world around them. Play helps babies develop in all kinds of ways, promoting physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.  Let’s explore more about the importance of play for babies. Here are five reasons why you should be making play a priority in your child’s life: 1. Play Makes Your Child Feel Comfortable Usually, your child is happiest and learns best while playing. The fun, relaxed environment helps them learn and grow without feeling any pressure that...

Children develop at their own unique pace, so while some children are early talkers, others start talking a little later on. Usually, your child’s pediatrician will monitor which speech and language milestones your child has met in order to determine if they’re on a relatively normal schedule. But if they don’t, or if you see something they don’t see, it can be scary to think something may be wrong.  Knowing what’s normal and what’s not in your child’s development can help you determine if there’s a cause for concern. Here are some guidelines for when you should worry that your...

EI Spotlight “April has been such a valuable asset to our team over the last 6 months. April is always the first one to offer assistance or help when another teammate needs it. She is willing to go above and beyond to make sure that our families at About Play are taken care of. We, along with her kiddos, are so blessed to have her! Thank you April for all that you do and for just being you!” -EI Jennifer Child Spotlight “Kayden is 4 years old and has been receiving services with About Play since January 2018. Kayden’ favorite...

EI Spotlight “Destany serves Sumter and Clarendon Counties. Destany has been with About Play for 2 years and we are so happy for her to be a part of our team! She goes above and beyond to advocate for her families and always makes sure they are happy. Thank you so much for all of your hard work Destany!” -EIS Allison Child Spotlight “Eilana is 4 years old and has been receiving services with About Play since January 2020. Eilana is sweet, enthusiastic, and pays great attention to detail. Her vocabulary has increased significantly and she loves to ask you...

BabyNet is South Carolina’s interagency early intervention system for children ages 0-3 who have developmental delays or disabilities. It’s a great resource for families who need it, but it can be difficult to navigate if you’re new.  If you believe your child may be eligible and you’re interested in registering for BabyNet, you may be still wondering, “What services does BabyNet even provide?” Look no further! Below, we’ll walk you through all there is to know about BabyNet services, accessibility, and cost. What Services Are Provided By BabyNet? BabyNet provides a lot of services, but each child receives different ones...