Early On program gives mom peace of mind that her child is on track developmentally

Kate Dwyer with her husband, Paul, and daughters Teagan and Skylar.

Teagan’s final sessions in Oakland Family Services’ Early On program were a little different than what she was used to but the 2-year-old didn’t seem to mind.

Instead of working on activities that strengthened her big and small muscles with her mom and Early On Service Coordinator Becca Spaeth at home, the toddler showed Becca what she could do via Zoom on her mother’s phone. Early On, along with other Oakland Family Services programs, has been virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Teagan opened up on the phone and talked and Becca would tell her everything she wanted her to do,” said Kate Dwyer, Teagan’s mom. “It was pretty easy. We were working on fine and gross motor skills. She asked Teagan if she could make a bridge out of blocks. She also wanted to see if Teagan could climb the stairs without holding on. During the virtual visit, Becca could still see Teagan and give me pointers so it worked out well.”

Teagan began Early On — a home-visiting program that helps children ages 0 to 3 who have, or are at risk of, a developmental delay — when she was 11 months old. Kate learned about the program through the Baby Center website, which has a parent group for babies born in the same month and year. Kate realized many of the babies were crawling. At the time, Teagan would just lay on her tummy.

“All of the other kids were crawling fine,” Kate recalled. “I felt like she needed to crawl, and there was something I wasn’t doing right. My older daughter, Skylar, never actually crawled. I didn’t know any better and was young. She walked at 12 or 13 months but now I kept hearing how crawling is important for muscle development and brain development, and I wanted to get Teagan to crawl.”

Through Early On, Kate learned different exercises and activities she could do with Teagan to strengthen her child’s core. Becca showed her how to bend Teagan’s knees while she was on her tummy so Teagan could begin to feel the movement of crawling and then move her into a crawling position. After a couple of weeks of practicing this and other activities, Teagan was crawling!

During the sessions, they continued to work on strengthening Teagan’s core by doing such exercises as having her climb up and down the couch, climb up a slide, and pull up into a sitting position while holding her mom’s finger after a diaper change. Once Teagan began taking steps, she walked on pillows to learn how to balance.

Becca is pleased with the progress Teagan has made in the Early On program.

“Teagan is an extremely smart child, but it took her a little longer than normal to start walking,” she said. “With some encouragement and exercises to strengthen her muscles and core, she can now walk, run, kick a ball, and climb!”

Kate believes the different techniques and activities learned through the Early On program have made Teagan stronger physically and mentally.

“Your child is your number one responsibility and any help you can get is going to help their future,” the Bloomfield Township woman said. “Early On has been wonderful. It has given me peace of mind that she is on track and doing well.”

If you are concerned about your child’s development, take the Ages and Stages Questionnaire at before3tosucceed.org.