Blooming Early Years

You don’t have to look far to see how children in the same family can develop at very different rates. One child may start walking as early as nine months, while their younger sibling might not take steps until after turning one. This is why you need early intervention tips for children with developmental delays.

A baby boy could be talking a lot by twelve months, whereas his older sister might only begin saying a few words closer to her second birthday. These variations are normal.

However, persistent developmental delays or delays across multiple areas could indicate a developmental issue, and this is why parents need to know about early intervention tips for children with developmental delays.

Surprisingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that around one in six children in the U.S. have at least one developmental disability. Despite how common they are, they’re far from simple to deal with. It can feel overwhelming if a child in your care shows signs of developmental delays.

So, what steps can you take to support them? What early intervention tips for children with developmental delays will actually work for your child with developmental delays?
Read on to know more.

Understanding Developmental Delays

Young children with developmental delays (sometimes referred to as global developmental delay or intellectual disability) may experience slower progress in thinking and daily skills.

These delays can affect multiple areas, including motor abilities, language development, and social interactions. Learning can be more challenging for them, requiring additional time and support to grasp new skills.

Instructions involving several steps might be difficult to follow. Managing emotions and behavior can also be a struggle. Every child’s development is unique and can differ significantly.

While some children may initially display delays, they often “catch up” over time. Early intervention plays a key role in helping improve their cognitive abilities and daily life skills.

Strengths of Developmental Delays

• Many children with developmental delays thrive when engaging in play-based activities.
• They often demonstrate a strong interest in playful tasks and enjoy learning through play.
• Through play, they can develop impressive fine and gross motor skills.

Early Intervention Tips for Children with Developmental Delays

1. Begin by connecting them with an early intervention specialist

Early intervention provides crucial services and support for children aged birth to three with developmental delays. This evidence-based approach has been proven to reduce – or even prevent – the effects of developmental delays, improve children’s quality of life and help them reach their fullest potential.

Families of children with developmental delays often face unique hurdles. That’s why early intervention services are equally important for parents. These programs help families understand how to best address their child’s needs and offer essential resources for advocacy and support.

2. Emphasize the importance of play

For young children, play is far more than just fun – it’s essential for their growth. Psychologist Jean Piaget famously remarked, “Play is the work of childhood.”

Play fosters critical life skills by helping children explore their identity and the world around them. It promotes collaboration, sparks creativity, builds problem-solving abilities, boosts independence, and enhances motor skills.

For example, sharing turns during a board game or on the playground can teach empathy and respect. Similarly, connecting Lego blocks improves fine motor skills, while engaging a selective eater in cooking activities may expand their palate.

3. Use visual cues for directions

Everyone has a unique learning style. While some respond well to auditory guidance, others are kinesthetic learners who need hands-on experiences. Children with developmental delays often excel as visual learners, comprehending and remembering visuals better than verbal instructions.

Including visual aids like modeling tasks physically, using labels, or placing boundary markers on the floor can help these children understand expectations more clearly. As a result, they’re less likely to engage in challenging behaviors.

4. Establish routines and structure

Daily routines benefit most children, as they provide predictability – like always having naptime after lunch. However, for children with developmental delays, structured schedules are even more vital. Without them, simple tasks, like packing a bag or using the restroom, can feel overwhelming.

Transition routines are especially helpful. For instance, if a child struggles to settle down after recess, playing a specific song at the same time every day can signal it’s time to shift gears.

Children with developmental delays who know what to expect are less likely to experience the frustration that leads to acting out. Consider displaying a schedule in a visible spot at home or in the classroom. Include pictures or symbols for kids who aren’t yet reading.

Evidence-Based Strategies that Help with Developmental Delays

1. Adapt Communication Style

• Gain the child’s attention first: Before giving instructions or starting a conversation, ensure the child is fully attentive. You can achieve this with verbal cues or simple gestures.
• Provide clear and precise directions: It’s important to give straightforward and specific guidance about the task at hand and the behavior you expect.
• Incorporate visual aids: Some children may need visual support to understand tasks or behaviors. You could demonstrate the task yourself, ask another child to do it, or use tools like posters, videos, or visual schedules to explain or model the activity.
• Allow for nonverbal responses: Some children may find it easier to communicate through gestures instead of speaking. For instance, they might point to their answer rather than verbalize it.

2. Make Learning Enjoyable

• Blend learning social skills with guided activities led by adults: Try demonstrating a social skill that children can apply during playtime. Pairing a child with another who can model and prompt positive behavior can be highly effective.

3. Encourage Teamwork

• Offer plenty of chances for children to collaborate and play together: Kids with and without developmental delays can bond and form friendships through joint activities. Observing peers also helps children learn.

• Music is a great way to foster friendships: Rotate partners during weekly musical activities so children interact with different peers and build connections.

4. Give Positive Reinforcement

• Praise and reward achievements: Immediate positive feedback or rewards for good behavior and skill mastery can significantly enhance learning. Try linking rewards to what the child enjoys most for better engagement.

Proven Strategies for Success

• Stick to a routine: Predictable routines help children understand expectations. They also feel more secure when they know what will happen next.
• Create a nurturing environment: Some children may struggle with confidence. Encourage their efforts, praise their participation, and offer support. Use tools like an anxiety resource kit to identify and manage child anxiety effectively.
• Reduce Background Noise During Instructions
  Minimize noise and distractions when providing instructions to help children concentrate and listen better. Consider positioning the children so that any distractions are behind them.
• Keep Instructions Simple: Some kids benefit from clear, simple instructions. You might need to repeat these instructions multiple times to ensure understanding.
• Break Skills into Smaller Steps: To teach a new skill, educators can divide it into smaller, manageable parts to make learning easier at the start.
• Collaborate with Parents for Support: Consult with parents and the child’s support team to identify effective ways to assist the child. Parents can share valuable insights into their child’s strengths and areas needing improvement.
• Start with Simple, Doable Tasks for Motivation: Begin with short, achievable tasks to boost children’s confidence and motivation. Success with these tasks builds momentum for tackling more challenging ones. Always provide positive feedback and encouragement.
• Encourage Self-Determination: Support children in learning how to make choices, set goals, and solve problems independently. Incorporate technology when appropriate, such as communication tools for non-verbal children to express their preferences.
• Give Short Reminders Before Activities: Before starting each activity, provide a brief prompt to help children focus on the key objective of the task.
• Use Time-Delay Strategies: Consider using time-delay techniques, where a question or problem is posed, and children are given a set time to respond before the correct answer is shared.

Support Areas for Your Children for Developmental Delays

• Children with developmental delays may struggle with processing information quickly and understanding complex instructions.
• Providing structured routines and breaking down instructions into smaller steps can help them learn at their own pace.
• They tend to be very social, enjoying interactions and conversations with others. However, they might sometimes invade personal space or appear overly familiar, requiring guidance to develop appropriate social boundaries.

Early Years Learning and Development Outcomes

Outcome 1: Children Develop a Strong Sense of Identity

Educators in early childhood can guide children to interact with others kindly, showing empathy and respect. For instance, engage children in games where they collaborate in pairs or small groups to practice social skills like sharing, offering help, or asking for assistance.
Responding to children with warmth and positivity is crucial. You might invite them to assist with activities, which helps create a safe and secure environment for them.

Outcome 2: Children Connect with and Contribute to Their World

Music sessions that encourage cooperation and interaction among children can help them feel a sense of belonging. Try pairing children with different partners during each music session so they can interact with various peers regularly.
To enhance important social skills, involve children in games where they work together in pairs or small groups to practice sharing, offering help, or requesting assistance.

Outcome 3: Children Maintain a Strong Sense of Wellbeing

The strategies mentioned in other sections, which aim to boost social engagement, identity, or communication, are likely to positively influence a child’s overall well-being.

Outcome 4: Children Become Confident and Involved Learners

The strategies discussed in other sections can also support children in becoming more confident and actively involved in their learning processes.

Outcome 5: Children Become Effective Communicators

Organized activities, such as structured play sessions or cooperative music activities, can aid children in developing effective communication skills.

Additional Considerations

1. First Aid
   Children with developmental delays might struggle to express when they are in pain or feeling unwell. It’s important to observe signs like grimacing and encourage them to use gestures or other communication methods to indicate their needs.
2. Safety Drills
   During emergencies or drills, children with developmental delays may not know how to inform an adult or what actions to take. Allocate time to demonstrate and practice the necessary steps with them.
3. Behavior Management
   – Providing children with choices in their activities can increase their motivation.
   – Demonstrating positive behavior, offering clear instructions, and giving rewards and praise can be effective.
   – Using picture cards or storytelling about social situations can teach essential social skills.
   – Refer to the ABC approach for strategies on reducing challenging behaviors by supporting the child and promoting more positive behaviors. Additionally, visit this emotions page for guidance on helping children manage their emotions.
4. Toileting Support
   Children with developmental delays might require additional assistance with toileting.
   Collaborate with parents to determine the best ways to support them.
5. Transitions
   Children with developmental delays may need extra help when moving from one educational setting to another, such as transitioning to a different early childhood center or entering primary school.
   For more details on supporting children with disabilities during these transitions, visit AllPlay Learn’s transition page.
6. Peer Mediation
   Learn more about how peer mediation can help children develop social and communication skills, which in turn supports the inclusion of peers with disabilities.
7. Other Co-occurring Conditions
   Children with developmental delays may also experience higher instances of anxiety, autism, and cerebral palsy.

About Play – Achieving Developmental Milestones

If you’re seeking ways to assist a child with developmental delays, partnering with a skilled early intervention specialist is invaluable. Contact professionals to discover how we can provide the guidance your child needs to thrive and make progress as they grow and learn.