Early Childhood

The first three years of life are critical for brain development and the optimum time for children to develop language skills, muscle coordination and interpersonal skills.

Early On at Oakland Family Services can ensure your child is on track by providing developmental assessments and evaluations for children birth to 3 years old in Oakland County. Areas of development assessed include gross motor (large muscles); fine motor (small muscles); cognitive; speech; self-care (eating and sleeping); emotions; interactions with others; and coping skills.

Parents are encouraged to have their children evaluated. Kids with mild to moderate developmental delays that go undetected are likely to underperform academically. Children experiencing any developmental delay, or those with a diagnosed physical or mental condition that may result in a developmental delay, are eligible for Early On services, at no cost to the family. A developmental specialist will be assigned to your family based on your home location and your local school district. The evaluation will be completed in your home, as we know children are more comfortable in their own surroundings. Parents are always present and participate by answering questions and providing support. A hearing and vision screening also will be completed.

For more information about the Early On program, contact our early childhood services specialist, Esther Lee, at 248.858.7766 ext. 1209 or by email at elee@ofsfamily.org. You can also visit the Oakland County School district for more information. You also can complete an assessment online at www.1800earlyon.org.

Parents as Teachers helps young children grow up healthy, safe and ready to learn.

Parents as Teachers provides the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life. The program serves Oakland County families with children from birth through kindergarten entry looking to increase parenting skills and child development knowledge.

The in-home program, delivered at no cost to parents, helps children at risk for school failure and/or abuse and neglect by involving families with infants, toddlers and young children in activities that encourage growth in language, social and emotional development. Parent educators, who make weekly or biweekly visits, conduct child development screenings and may link families with other agencies that provide necessities, such as food and housing. Parents as Teachers also offers monthly playgroups to encourage families to interact and play together.

Parents as Teachers is available through funding from Oakland Schools, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund, the Young Foundation, United Way for Southeastern Michigan and The Carls Foundation. For more information, contact our early childhood services specialist, Esther Lee, at 248.858.7766 ext. 1209 or elee@ofsfamily.org.