Early Childhood Resources
The Oakland Family Services Lending Libraries, run by the agency’s Early Learning Communities, offer a variety of items geared toward children ages 0-5 available at no cost to you.
Ages & Stages Activities
Ages and Stages Activities: 2 months
Ages and Stages Activities: 4-8 months
Ages and Stages Activities: 8-12 months
Ages and Stages Activities: 1 year
Ages and Stages Activities: 12-16 months
Ages and Stages Activities: 16-20 months
Ages and Stages Activities: 18 months
Ages and Stages Activities: 20-24 months
Ages and Stages Activities: 2 years
Ages and Stages Activities: 24-30 months
Ages and Stages Activities: 30 months
Ages and Stages Activities: 36-48 months
Ages & Stages Learning Activities
Learn & Grow Together: Fun Activities to Support Your Child’s Development
Developmental Milestones
10 Discipline Don’ts - Parents.com
Birth to 3 - Development (video)
Developmental Checklist: Interactive Screening Tool - Kids In Motion
Developmental Milestones: Fine Motor Skills and Visual Motor Skills - CHOC
Developmental Red Flags for Infants - The Inspired Treehouse
Early On helps children with developmental delays
Gross Motor Milestones for Children Birth to Three - Mommy & Me Milestones
Infant Toddler Developmental Red Flags - Wayne State University
Physical Therapy Developmental Milestones - Witwer Children’s Therapy
Social and Emotional Milestones of Children Birth to Age 5
What to Look for Between the Milestones - The Inspired Treehouse
Behavior
20 Ways to Co-Regulate - Mommy & Me Milestones
Birth to 3 - Challenging Behaviors (video)
Coping with Aggression & Teaching Self-Control in the Early Years - Zero to Three
Four Functions of Behavior - Kids in Motion
Strategies for Parenting Children with Difficult Temperament - Child Care Information Exchange
Cognitive Development
10 Ways to Promote Your Child’s Cognitive Development
Black and White Picture Cards - CanDo Kiddo
Cognitive Learning Activities: 20-24 Months
Cognitive Learning Activities: 30-36 Months
Parenting Guide for New Moms & Dads: Developing Early Math Skills
Support Brain Development: 2-6 Months - Zero to Three
Support Brain Development: 6-12 Months - Zero to Three
Support Brain Development: 12-18 Months - Zero to Three
Support Brain Development: 18-24 Months - Zero to Three
Support Brain Development: 24-36 Months - Zero to Three
Ways to Encourage Cognitive Development
What is Cognitive Development? - Iowa Department of Education
Fine Motor Skills
Fine Motor Skills - NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Hand Strengthening Through Everyday Play - The Inspired Treehouse
Home Activities to Improve Fine Motor Skill Development
Kids & Clothing Fasteners - The Inspired Treehouse
My Pencil Control Booklet - Twinkl
Parenting Guide for New Moms & Dads: Strengthening Small & Large Muscles
Pencil Grasp - The Inspired Treehouse
Pre-Fine Motor Skill Activities - Green Hills Area Education Agency
Gross Motor Skills
10 No-Cry Tummy Time Tips - CanDo Kiddo
50 Fun Ways to Get From Here to There - The Inspired Treehouse
Baby's Gross Motor Development - Birth to 6 Months (video)
Baby's Gross and Fine Motor Skill Development 9 to 15 Months (video)
Baby's Gross and Fine Motor Skill Development 15 Months to 2 Years (video)
Building Core Strength With a Playgroup Ball - The Inspired Treehouse
Creative Ideas for Learning How to Jump - The Inspired Treehouse
How to Practice Single Leg Stance - The Inspired Treehouse
Learning Through Play - Mommy & Me Milestones
Parenting Guide for New Moms & Dads: Strengthening Small & Large Muscles
Positioning for Play: Interactive Activities to Enhance Movement and Sensory Exploration
Signs to Watch for in Physical Development - Pathways
Nutrition & Feeding
Adding Calories - Hangry Helper
An Introduction to Feeding Development - Pathways
Breastfeeding Positions (video)
Feeding and Eating Red Flags - Kay A. Toomey, PhD.
Feeding Milestones - Mommy & Me Milestones
Feeding: What to Expect 12-24 Months - Zero to Three
Healthy from the Start: How Feeding Nurtures Your Young Child’s Body, Heart and Mind - Zero to Three
Healthy Tips for Picky Eaters - USDA
Here's to Healthy Eating: Habits to Start & Habits to Avoid - Zero to Three
Meal Ideas for Infants and Young Children - Born Learning
Picky Eaters Versus Problem Feeders - STAR Institute
Picky Eating Do’s and Don’ts - Hangry Helper
Positioning to Support Feeding - Bentley, K., Redstone, F., West, J.F., & Kaplan, T.
Self-Care Eating Meals - Specialist Children’s Services
Six Simple Non-Verbal Language Strategies - Hangry Helper
Six Simple Verbal Language Strategies - Hangry Helper
Steps to Eating - Kay A. Toomey, PhD.
Supporting Breastfeeding Families - Oakland County Health Division
Turn Your Picky Eater Into a Foodie - Marissa Mafteiu, MPH
Using Cutlery - NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Ways to Get Your Child Excited About Food - Hangry Helper
Weaning your Breastfeeding Child - York Region
What is a Bye-Bye Bowl? - Hangry Helper
WIC After Hours Breastfeeding Hotline - Oakland County Health Division
Parenting
Are you Baby Smart? - Born Learning
Birth to 3 - Parenting Stress (video)
Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers - CDC
Everyday Activities for Dad - Born Learning
Five Key Ideas for New Parents - Born Learning
Grandparenting: Play With Me Activities Birth to 12 Months - Zero to Three
Grandparenting: Play With Me Activities 12-24 Months - Zero to Three
Grandparenting: Play With Me Activities 24-36 Months - Zero to Three
How Can I Understand My Child’s Illnesses? - Born Learning
How Do Fathers and Mothers Differ - Born Learning
How Important is the Parent-Child Relationship? - Born Learning
How to Bond with Your Baby: Advice for Dads - Metro Parent
Kid Basics: Tips, Tricks, And Answers To Help You Care For Your Child - Born Learning
Parenting Guide for New Moms & Dads: Keeping Your Child Safe
Positive Parenting - Zero to Three
Positive Parenting and the Seven Essential Life Skills for Children - Zero to Three
Positive Parenting Checklist - Your Therapy Source
Postpartum Support International
What Roles Might My Parents Play In My Child’s Life? - Born Learning
Potty Training
3 Days to Achieve Potty Training Nirvana - MothersRest
Learning to Use the Toilet - Parents As Teachers
Self Care Going to the Toilet - Specialist Children’s Services
Successful Potty Training for Boys - BabyCenter Staff
Successful Potty Training for Girls - BabyCenter Staff
Successful Toilet Training and Beyond - Anna Edwards, Ph.D. & Kristen Michener, Ph.D.
Routines & Schedules
Screen Time
Establishing Healthy Screen Time Habits - Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP
Parents’ Guide to Screen Time: What is Screen Time? - The School SLP
Screen Time - Seattle Children’s Hospital
Screen Time Guidelines by Age - EyePromise
Screen-Use Tips for Children Under Three - Zero to Three
Sensory Learning
An Introduction to Sensory Integration/Processing - Pathways
DIY Sensory Travel Kit - Understood
How Art Helps Your Child's Development (video)
Lava Lamp Science Experiment (video)
Make Your Own Playroom Materials (video)
Parenting Guide for New Moms & Dads: Learning Through Play
Red Flags of Sensory Processing Disorder - STAR Institute
Red Flags of Sensory Processing Disorder (Spanish) - STAR Institute
Sense-able Ideas: Auditory Processing Differences - NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Sense-able Ideas: Everyday Sensory Strategies - NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Sense: Sensory Activities - Hands On As We Grow
Sensory Integration & Processing Jargon Guide - STAR Institute
Sensory Integration Information Sheet - Kids In Motion
Sensory Processing Disorder Checklist - STAR Institute
Sensory Smart Activities - Foster Village
Sensory Strategies for Parents - Buckinghamshire Healthcare
Summertime Tips for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder - STAR Institute
Sleep
4 Month Sleep Regression Explained - The Baby Sleep Site
8-9-10 Month Sleep Regression Explained - The Baby Sleep Site
Baby Nap Chart - The Baby Sleep Site
Baby, We’ve Got Your Back - MDHHS
Don't Let Baby Get Too Warm - MDHHS
Before 3 to Succeed: Safe Sleep Talk
How Do I Help My Child Develop Good Sleep Habits - Born Learning
Is This Infant Safe Sleep? - MDHHS
No-Cry Sleep Solution for Newborns - Elizabeth Pantley
Safe Sleep and Vaccines - MDHHS
Sleep Better… Feel Better! - NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Sleep in Infants - American Thoracic Society
Sleeping Through the Night - Bayside Medical Group
Ten Tips for Safe Baby Sleep - The Baby Sleep Site
What Are the Stages of Sleep? - Born Learning
Your Baby’s Sleep Habits: Birth to 6 Months Old - The Baby Sleep Site
Social-Emotional Learning
Benefits of Playing Games with Young Children - Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP
Community Resources for Social Emotional Support
Early Social Emotional Development - Pathways
Fostering Healthy Social and Emotional Development in Young Children
How Do I Help My Child Develop Healthy Sleep Habits? - Born Learning
In the Moment Guide - Seed & Sew
Managing Big Emotions - Grew, Morter, & Hartye P.A.
Power of Play-Based Learning - Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP
Simple Interactions Tool - Simple Interactions
Social-Emotional Development: Birth to 12 Months - Zero to Three
Social-Emotional Development: 12 to 24 Months - Zero to Three
Social-Emotional Development: 24 to 36 Months - Zero to Three
Speech & Language
16 Gestures by 16 Months - The First Words Project
40 Early Signs - Speech and Language at Home
Activities to Teach Verbal Imitation - Michelle Maguire, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Baby's Speech Development Birth to 6 Months (video)
Baby's Speech Development - 9 to 15 Months (video)
Baby's Speech Development - 15 Months to 2 Years (video)
Building Verbal Imitation in Toddlers - Teach Me To Talk
Creating Words from Vowels - Mommy Speech Therapy
Communication Checklist - Pathways
Communication Essentials - Mommy & Me Milestones
Communication Starts with Connection - Early & Bright
Communication Temptations - Mommy & Me Milestones
Contingent Imitation - Mommy & Me Milestones
Early Communication Skills - Mommy & Me Milestones
Early Consonant Sound Music List - Mommy & Me Milestones
Early Imitation Skills - Mommy & Me Milestones
Early Signs of Apraxia - Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP
Early Vocabulary Targets - Mommy & Me Milestones
First Words Checklist English/Spanish - Speech and Language at Home
Getting Ready for First Words - Mommy & Me Milestones
Parenting Guide for New Moms & Dads: Reading to Your Child
Parenting Guide for New Moms & Dads: Talking to Your Child
Reading is important to your child's development (video)
The Four I’s: Four Skill Areas to Develop Prior to Spoken Words - Mommy & Me Milestones
Three Simple Steps for Growing Imitation Skills - Mommy & Me Milestones
Guide to Language Development - Mommy & Me Milestones
Guide to Language Development - Mommy & Me Milestones
How Do Toddlers Learn Language? - Michelle Maguire
How to Create a Language-Rich Environment (video)
How to Use Reading Techniques to Engage Your Child (video)
Introduce Baby Sign - Mommy & Me Milestones
Linguistic Mapping - Mommy & Me Milestones
A Parent’s Guide to: First Words - Mommy & Me Milestones
Phonological Processes - Mommy Speech Therapy
Play Ideas for Emerging Communicators - Mommy & Me Milestones
Quick Tips for Reading to Young Children Who Don’t Like to be Read To - Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP
Routines-Based Baby Sign - Mommy & Me Milestones
Sense-able Ideas: Activities to Improve Oral Motor Skills - NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Serve & Return: The Secret to Strong Brain Architecture - Rollins Center for Language & Literacy
Sound Development for Boys and Girls
Speech Sound Development - Mommy Speech Therapy
Speech Sound Development Chart - Mommy & Me Milestones
Speech Therapy for Toddlers Cheat Sheet - Kimberly Scanlon
Talk, Read and Sign Together Every Day - Talking Is Teaching
Three Simple Steps for Growing Imitation Skills - Mommy & Me Milestones
Understanding Your Child’s Feelings - Born Learning
Ways Babies and Young Children Tell Us They Are Ready to Communicate
What is Apraxia - Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP
What is Speech Apraxia - Kids In Motion
Why Does My Child “Just Play” in Speech Therapy? - Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP
Community Resources
A Baby’s Life, LLC, Maternal Infant Health Program
Build Up Michigan, learning support for preschoolers
Child Care Council of Oakland County
Early On Oakland Community Resource Guide
Great Start Collaborative Oakland County
Great Start Readiness Program Information
Incredible Years Parenting Program - Easterseals Michigan
Information and Referral Quiz - The Information Center
Maternal Infant Health Program - Easterseals Michigan
Michigan Alliance for Families
Nurse-Family Partnership - Oakland County Health Division
Oakland County ECHO - Free & Low-Cost Dental Services
Oakland County ECHO - Free & Low-Cost Hearing & Vision Resources
Oakland County ECHO - Free & Low-Cost Medical Services
Oakland County ECHO — Free & Low-Cost Services for Moms & Babies
Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (OLHSA)
Southeast Michigan Doula Project
Supporting Breastfeeding Families - Oakland County Health Division
Learn more about: Early On | Fussy Baby | Parents as Teachers | Before 3 to Succeed | Early Learning Communities