Developmental Milestones & Parent Resources
Every child grows and learns at their own pace. Developmental milestones are not meant to label a child or create pressure — they help parents, caregivers, teachers, and pediatricians notice how a child is growing and know when extra support may be helpful.
Milestones are a helpful conversation starter.
The Little Texans. Big Futures. guides attached on this page organize development into four broad areas. They give families examples of what children may be learning to do and practical ways adults can respond through everyday care, play, reading, movement, and conversation.
18–36 Month Early Learning Guide
A parent guide for toddlers that explains common developmental signs and responsive caregiving ideas across motor, social-emotional, language, and cognitive development.
Download PDF36–48 Month Early Learning Guide
A parent guide for three-year-olds that helps families notice growth, support learning, and talk about development as preschool skills emerge.
Download PDFWhat is ECI in Texas?
Texas Early Childhood Intervention is a statewide Texas Health and Human Services program for families with children birth to 36 months who have developmental delays, disabilities, or certain medical diagnoses that may affect development.
Children may be referred to ECI up to 36 months of age, and ECI services end when a child turns 3. ECI determines eligibility through its own evaluation process. A child may qualify through a diagnosed condition, deaf/hard-of-hearing or blind/visually-impaired eligibility, or a developmental delay of at least 25% in one or more areas. If the only delay is expressive language, Texas HHS describes a 33% delay requirement for initial eligibility.
A diagnosis is not required to make a referral. Parents do not have to wait for a professional referral if they are concerned. Connect Kids can partner with families by noticing development and encouraging next steps, but ECI determines eligibility and medical/developmental professionals guide evaluation and services.
Simple next steps for parents.
- Write down what you are noticing at home, school, church, or childcare — examples are more helpful than vague worry.
- Talk with your child’s pediatrician and ask about developmental screening, hearing, vision, speech, motor, behavior, or other concerns.
- For children birth to 36 months, contact Texas Early Childhood Intervention directly if you are concerned. A diagnosis is not required to make a referral.
- If a child is 3 or older, ask the local school district about Child Find or Early Childhood Special Education evaluation options.
- Keep supporting your child through daily routines, play, reading, conversation, movement, and responsive caregiving while you wait for next steps.
A parent-resource approach, not a diagnosis page.
Other strong childcare and early-learning websites usually handle developmental milestones as a resource hub: calm explanations, age-and-domain guides, downloadable PDFs, and links to trusted referral resources.
- Use milestones as parent education, not as a diagnosis or a pass/fail score for children.
- Group development by age and domain so families can picture what growth may look like in everyday routines.
- Link to trusted authorities such as CDC, Texas ECI, Act Early Texas, and Early Childhood Texas instead of recreating clinical guidance.
- Offer downloadable parent guides and printable resources families can review at home or discuss with a pediatrician.
Texas ECI
Official Texas HHS Early Childhood Intervention information for families with children birth to 36 months.
Open Texas ECIMake a Referral to ECI
Parents, caregivers, doctors, and childcare providers can make a referral when there are developmental concerns.
Referral InformationFind Your ECI Program
Search by city, county, or ZIP code to find the local Texas ECI program serving your family.
Find Local ECIEarly Childhood Texas
A state child-development hub with milestone, ECI, and age 3+ support pathways for Texas families.
View Texas Child DevelopmentAct Early Texas
Resources for tracking milestones, sharing concerns with a doctor, and learning what to do while waiting for evaluation.
Open Act Early TexasCDC Milestone Tracker
CDC milestone checklists and the Milestone Tracker app help families follow development from infancy through age 5.
Open CDC Milestone TrackerSupporting growth with families.
Connect Kids is preparing to serve 2s, 3s, and 4-year-olds in December 2026. As children grow, we want to encourage developmentally appropriate learning, clear parent communication through Procare, and caring conversations when a family has a question or concern.
This page is educational and does not replace your pediatrician, Texas ECI, or an evaluation by qualified professionals.
We welcome parent questions.
If developmental milestones are part of your childcare search, join the interest list and tell us what questions would help your family feel prepared.
Links last reviewed August 2026. Official Texas HHS and CDC resources are the source of truth for eligibility, referral, and developmental guidance. Additional family resource: Texas Family Resources child development milestones. CDC milestone page: CDC developmental milestones.