Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 23 Zoom also allows parents who are at work during the visit while the other par- ent is home to tune in on their lunch break and be a part of an experience they would have otherwise missed. 2. The sooner you call, the sooner PE-ID can help your child. A child's brain at birth is full of malleable white matter that can pick up language and social skills like a sponge. By the time a child is 5 or 6 years old, the body begins to prune brain cells that haven't been used. This is why intervention in the 0-3 age group is so important, says Developmental Specialist Anne Longenecker. "You want to make sure that brain is stimulated," she says. "It's a muscle, and you want to get it stronger." Many parents come to PE-ID through a referral from their pediatrician, and the pandemic shutdowns caused some delay in referrals, especially as families stayed away from doctor's offices early on. But any parent who is wondering about whether their child is meeting developmental milestones can call PE-ID at 540- 372-3561 to set up an assessment. Parents can use tools such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's milestone tracker app to learn about how young children typically develop. 3. It really does take a village. While Zoom calls kept families connected to PE-ID and other services over the past two years, nothing can replace the experience of in-person socializa- tion. PE-ID providers are excited to be back in homes, where they can point out household items that can be helpful in therapy, and observe inter- actions with siblings and the home environment that help paint a more complete picture of a child's development. At the same time, parents should keep in mind that everyday experiences like visiting a playground or the library can play a huge role in supporting the social and mental health of both children and par- ents. These types of experiences were taken away during the pandemic, and as families are comfort- able, returning to things like this can help children to grow their social skills, while helping parents to build important support networks with other adults. 4. Parents are heroes. Shultz says she hears from many parents who feel guilty that they have not been able to provide enough stimulating activities for their children dur- ing the pandemic. She urges parents to remember that children are resilient, and that the presence of a caring, competent adult in their lives is the single most-important factor that will help them to bounce back from any pandemic-induced delays. Longenecker says it's important for parents to real- ize that they have played a key role in helping their children continue to progress during the shutdowns. She said PE-ID providers saw this with the parents of young children they worked with over Zoom. "Parents are always their children's first teachers and best teachers," she says. "We are there in supporting roles, but they are teaching their children." PARENT EDUCATION – INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM A service of the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board 540-372-3561 • 877-268-4169 (toll-free) Rappahannockareacsb.org "Even though our services are traditionally offered in a home, we are living in different times now," says Service Coordinator Beth Shultz. "Some people still aren't comfortable with in-home visits, and we are able to adapt to ensure families can continue to meet the needs of their child, but also feel that they are protecting the health of their family."

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