The holidays bring more than decorations and family gatherings – they bring extra moments at home, changes in routine, and opportunities for connection. For caregivers of young children with developmental delays, this season can be a meaningful time to slow down, tune in, and support growth in simple, everyday ways.

When most people think of preparing a child for school and lifelong success, they imagine classrooms, crayons, and ABCs. But readiness starts long before a child ever walks through a school door. It starts in the earliest years of life – through play, connection, communication, and care.

Fall is the perfect season for cozy, creative fun! For children who may be sensitive to textures, sounds, or overwhelming activities, sensory-friendly crafts offer a way to celebrate the season in a calm and enjoyable way. These activities engage the senses gently while encouraging creativity, fine motor skills, and self-expression.

Getting ready for school doesn’t start with buying a backpack or packing a lunchbox — it starts long before that. Children build the skills they need for school in the early years, through everyday moments like playing, talking, listening, and exploring.
But what if your child isn’t hitting certain milestones yet — like talking, playing with others, or staying focused? That’s where Help Me Grow Escambia comes in.

Summer is the perfect time to play, explore, and help your child learn and grow! Whether you’re staying close to home or heading out on little adventures, everyday moments can be full of learning. Helping your child build new skills doesn’t have to be hard—it can be as simple as playing a game or taking a walk. Here are 5 easy summer activities that support childhood development and help your little one reach important milestone.

Talking is a big part of how children connect to the world. It helps them share what they need, tell stories, ask questions, and play with others. But for some kids, talking—and even understanding others—is hard.
That’s where pediatric speech therapy can help.

Spring is finally here—and with the warmer weather and blooming flowers, young children are eager to move, explore, and play! Movement not only helps little ones burn off energy, but it’s also a powerful tool for learning. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or early childhood educator, here are five fun and educational spring-themed activities that get kids moving while helping them connect with nature.

Sometimes, kids need a little extra help to do the things other kids seem to do easily. That’s okay! Every child grows and learns at their own pace. But if your child’s doctor says they might benefit from occupational therapy, you might wonder: What is that? And why does my child need it?

At Help Me Grow Escambia, we are dedicated to supporting the growth and development of children in our community. As a program of The Arc Gateway, funded by Escambia Children’s Trust, we provide free developmental and behavioral screenings for children ages 0-8. One of the specialized services we offer is the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) evaluation, conducted at the Pearl Nelson Center.

t Help Me Grow Escambia, we strive to ensure all children in Escambia County have the best chance to reach their full potential. We offer FREE developmental screenings and connections to community services and resources for children ages birth to 8 as well as early intervention services for children ages birth to 5 who are showing signs of mild delay. One of our most important partnerships is with childcare centers, where we help identify young children who may be showing signs of developmental delays and provide strategies to support their growth.