Child Development

From birth through adolescence, children's brains go through incredible change, both physically and cognitively. The first three years of a child’s life are critical to brain development. How can parents and caregivers improve children's learning potential as they grow? What are benchmarks for ‘typical’ development? What are some signs that a child may be delayed in their mental or physical growth? How do issues of diversity affect childhood development?

UW-Extension Family Living Educator, Cynthia Muhar, provides child development training for family and youth-serving agencies. She can be reached at 414-290-2420 or by email.

Recommended Web Resources

Here are some web links that may be of interest to parents and childhood caregivers.

• National Institute on Childhood Health & Development
• National Research and Development Centers links
• Early Childhood/Brain Development links
• Child Development Institute links
• North Carolina University FPG Child Development Institute
• International Center on Care & Education for Children links
• Research & Training Center for Early Childhood Development (for children at-risk for or with developmental delays)
• Developmental Delay Resources
• Developmental Delays (signs to look for)
• Wisconsin Council on Children and Families (brain research)