Playing might seem like it’s all just fun and games, but it’s actually learning in disguise! Certain activities can help your child discover things about themselves and the world around them. In fact, playing with your children can actually help them gain developmental skills as well as confidence, and even contribute to your child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.  So without further ado, let’s play! Check out this list of activities that will boost your child’s brain development, secretly teaching them things while having fun. Some of them may surprise you. Everyday Activities that Help Child Brain Development Mealtime...

The first 8 years of a child’s life are full of learning and growth. This is the time when children’s brains are developing and soaking up information like a sponge. That’s why the earlier you notice developmental delays or disabilities, the easier it is to help your child successfully achieve milestones as they grow. That is what early intervention (EI) is all about, and why it’s so important.  The purpose of EI is to help your child learn and grow at their own rate, with extra support from specialists in child development. Here, we’ll take a look at the goals...

EI Spotlight “Kayla has been with About Play for 2 years. She works hard to ensure that her children are provided with services and opportunities they need. Her families love her and are happy to see her each week. We are thankful we have Kayla as part of our team. Thank you Kayla for all that you do and for just being you!” -EIS Jennifer Child Spotlight “Benjamin is two years old has been with About Play since January 2021. Benjamin is very playful, loves escavators, Blimpie and assisting mom with household task. Benjamin has progressed and graduated from speech...

Do you love children and have a passion for helping them learn and grow? You have the beginnings of what it takes to be an early intervention specialist! What Does An Early Intervention Specialist Do? An EI works with families and children with developmental delays or disabilities by first assessing the child, then creating and implementing a personalized plan using age-appropriate games to help him or her overcome developmental obstacles.  An EI also provides family members with the tools and resources they need to support their child’s learning and growth. This is a career that’s highly rewarding for those passionate...

While every child is unique and tends to develop at a different rate, there are some predictive milestones to watch for that help to determine whether your child is growing and learning on a healthy and age-appropriate timeline.  When there are delays in meeting such milestones, it can be a sign that your child could use a little extra support and assistance, and the earlier that’s provided, the better. Keep in mind that if a majority of milestones are missed, it could also indicate an underlying condition. That’s why it’s so important to note which milestones your child is hitting,...

The term Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) may bring many things to mind, but what exactly is an IFSP? When a child is 0-3 years old and found eligible for early intervention services, a team of professionals and parents meet together to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan. The IFSP is both the process of making the plan and the actual document. This written plan describes what the child’s current situation is, what services will be provided to the child and their family, who will provide the services, and where the services will be provided. But how do you start...

If you suspect your child has a developmental delay or disability, don’t wait to seek early intervention support. It’s most effective when started early in your child’s life, when their brain is the most adaptable.  But even if you’re ready to get started, you might still be wondering how to actually refer your child for early intervention services. The good news is that it’s much simpler than it seems. Below, we’ll run through the process of referring your child for early intervention in South Carolina.  Who Can Make an Early Intervention Referral in SC? Before we dive into the early...

Early intervention can mean a lot of things, from helping your child play and grow to helping them learn to speak or move. In this article, we’ll explore ten of the different types of services associated with early intervention, what they involve, and how they could help your child and family. 10 Types of Early Intervention Services Any infant or toddler (between ages 0-6) that has a disability or developmental delay may qualify for early intervention services through BabyNet or the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN). However, the types of services a child receives varies depending...

When: November 17, 2021, 9AM – 11AM EST and November 18, 2021, 3PM – 6PM EST Where: 2211 Alpine Road Ext., Columbia, SC 29223 We will be hosting an onsite Job Fair & Hiring event in Columbia, SC on November 17th & November 18th, 2021. You will have the opportunity to get an up-close and personal view of our organization, learn more information about the Early Interventionist Specialist position, meet our hiring leaders, and be interviewed on the spot! Whether you are new to the industry or have a background in Early Intervention or have experience working with children, we...

Play has an important role in healthy development. For your baby, it’s not just about having fun – it’s about growing and learning about the world around them. Play helps babies develop in all kinds of ways, promoting physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.  Let’s explore more about the importance of play for babies. Here are five reasons why you should be making play a priority in your child’s life: 1. Play Makes Your Child Feel Comfortable Usually, your child is happiest and learns best while playing. The fun, relaxed environment helps them learn and grow without feeling any pressure that...

Children develop at their own unique pace, so while some children are early talkers, others start talking a little later on. Usually, your child’s pediatrician will monitor which speech and language milestones your child has met in order to determine if they’re on a relatively normal schedule. But if they don’t, or if you see something they don’t see, it can be scary to think something may be wrong.  Knowing what’s normal and what’s not in your child’s development can help you determine if there’s a cause for concern. Here are some guidelines for when you should worry that your...

EI Spotlight “April has been such a valuable asset to our team over the last 6 months. April is always the first one to offer assistance or help when another teammate needs it. She is willing to go above and beyond to make sure that our families at About Play are taken care of. We, along with her kiddos, are so blessed to have her! Thank you April for all that you do and for just being you!” -EI Jennifer Child Spotlight “Kayden is 4 years old and has been receiving services with About Play since January 2018. Kayden’ favorite...

EI Spotlight “Destany serves Sumter and Clarendon Counties. Destany has been with About Play for 2 years and we are so happy for her to be a part of our team! She goes above and beyond to advocate for her families and always makes sure they are happy. Thank you so much for all of your hard work Destany!” -EIS Allison Child Spotlight “Eilana is 4 years old and has been receiving services with About Play since January 2020. Eilana is sweet, enthusiastic, and pays great attention to detail. Her vocabulary has increased significantly and she loves to ask you...

BabyNet is South Carolina’s interagency early intervention system for children ages 0-3 who have developmental delays or disabilities. It’s a great resource for families who need it, but it can be difficult to navigate if you’re new.  If you believe your child may be eligible and you’re interested in registering for BabyNet, you may be still wondering, “What services does BabyNet even provide?” Look no further! Below, we’ll walk you through all there is to know about BabyNet services, accessibility, and cost. What Services Are Provided By BabyNet? BabyNet provides a lot of services, but each child receives different ones...

Teachers have a lot of amazing qualities – not to mention a high level of education –  that makes them well-suited for a range of career options. However, there comes a point in some teachers’ careers where they get a little tired of classroom teaching.  If this sounds like you, but you’d still like to work with children, no worries! There are plenty of other great jobs out there, and you’re probably already qualified for most of them. Here are our top three recommendations for the best jobs for teachers who don’t want to teach in a classroom: 1. Early...

Every child deserves the opportunity to develop to their full potential. If you suspect your infant or toddler may have a developmental delay or disability, it can be a lot to take on by yourself. That’s where early intervention comes in.  Early intervention is a professional service that is proven to help your child overcome challenges, learn, and grow. Here are some of the main reasons why it’s important to seek out early intervention support, and why to do it in the early stages of your child’s life. Why Is Early Intervention Important For My Child? Early intervention is important...

EI Spotlight Meet Chelsea Davis! She started with About Play in May and has proved already that she is a wonderful addition to our team. She keeps her family training sessions fun and creative while always working towards achieving goals. Chelsea celebrates the small things and is a great cheerleader for not only the children she serves but the whole family unit! Thank you Chelsea for always striving for GREATNESS, we are so happy you are here! Congratulations Chelsea! -EIS Beth Child Spotlight Nolan brings so much happiness and light into the room with his fun personality! Nolan has accomplished...

BabyNet is South Carolina’s interagency early intervention system for children under 3 years old who may have developmental conditions or delays. The system provides these childrens’ families with the services and information they need to be the best possible caregivers.  BabyNet is a great resource, but we know it can be a bit overwhelming for families who are new to the system. That’s why we’ve created a complete guide with everything you need to know about BabyNet.  If you’re new to BabyNet and looking for more information, read on! How Do I Get Access to BabyNet Services? Getting access to...

The first few years of your child’s life are critical for their brain development. In fact, during their first three years, your baby will have up to twice as many neural connections as an adult, and their brain will have reached about 80% of its adult volume! That being said, engaging them in brain stimulating activities early on is important. But don’t fear – you don’t need to spend money on high-tech sensory toys or lots of time brainstorming the most creative activities. Even the simplest play activities will make a world of a difference in your infant’s brain development. ...

Do you enjoy working with children? Are you energetic and creative? Self-motivated and good at time management? A career as an early intervention specialist could be a great fit for you! We often get the question, “What exactly do early intervention specialists do?” Well, here’s some insight into what our early intervention specialists at About Play do on a daily basis and what skills they need to succeed. What Does an Early Intervention Specialist Do Throughout a Typical Workday? Early intervention specialists spend most of their time interpreting data to assess developmental delays, working with children and families during home...

EI Spotlight Janelle has been with About Play since October 2020, and we’re so glad to have her be a part of our About Play team. Janelle puts a lot of time and effort into each family that she serves to provide a quality service. Janelle has really grown and developed in her knowledge as an EI in the 6 1/2 months that she has been with us and we really appreciate all of her hard work. Congratulations Janelle! -EIS Stacy Child Spotlight This is my best buddy, Jaxson! I began working with Jaxson almost four years ago when I...

Sensing that something might be off with your child’s development can be stressful. You may be wondering if something is really wrong, and what steps you need to take in order to provide them with the best care.  For families with developmentally delayed children, early intervention support can be a great service. Through play, early interventionists provide children ages 0-6 with the tools they need to grow their physical, cognitive, social/emotional, communication, and self-help skills. However, it may be tricky to know whether your child is just developing at their own pace, or if there is actually some cause for...

What Is an Early Intervention Specialist? At About Play, we’re always talking about our amazing, passionate team of early intervention specialists and the impact they have on children and families. But if you’re new to the field, you may still be looking for information about what an early intervention specialist even is.  Look no further! Here’s a quick overview of what early intervention specialists do, what kind of training they have, and what benefits they bring to children and families. What Does an Early Intervention Specialist Do? In general, an early intervention specialist works with children ages 0-6 who have...

EI Spotlight Brittany is so deserving of the EI Spotlight. She has great relationships with the families she serves and goes above and beyond to advocate for her children and their families, going out of her way to make sure they have all the resources and services they need. We are so happy to have her on our team! Thank you Brittany for being such an asset to our team!! -EIS Monica Child Spotlight “James is definitely one of a kind with his energetic personality! He’s using full sentences and is able to label many shapes, animals, and letters. James’...

According to the CDC, developmental disabilities affect 1 in 6 children in the United States. Developmental delays, often due to conditions noticed at birth, special needs, or delays that occur in the early years, are more common than most people know. And, with the right therapies, provided in your child’s early years, many of these developmental delays can be addressed. But for parents, it’s scary to think that your child might be behind in any way, and it can be intimidating to know where to start when it comes to finding help. It’s important to know that early intervention services...

A career as an early intervention specialist is certainly a rewarding one. Early interventionists work one-on-one with children ages 0-6 who have developmental delays or disabilities to equip them with the skills and strategies they need to learn and grow. Best of all, early intervention specialists do all of that through play!  If you’re passionate about early education, social work, or child psychology, you may be interested in a career as an early interventionist. Here’s what you need to know to become an early intervention specialist: Who Can Become an Early Intervention Specialist? Anyone with a passion for education can...

EI Spotlight “Jennifer is so hard working and dedicated to improving the lives of the children she serves. Jennifer is a joy to be around and her passion is contagious. Jennifer is an asset to our team!!!” Thank you Jennifer for being such an asset to our team!! -EIS Lauren D. Child Spotlight “Nicholas is full of energy and so much fun! He just learned all of his colors and surprises us each week with a new skill. He has made so much progress since I have been with him and is excited to try new things! Nicholas is always...

There’s nothing more exciting than seeing your baby’s first milestones. Watching them be more aware of their movements, how their eyes follow you or wander about the things around them, how they explore their surroundings, how they express themselves with sounds and actions, and so much more, will just bring any parent so much joy, confidence, and a feeling of being at ease. Seeing them grow and develop will never fail to make you feel proud. The first five years in your baby’s life are truly the most crucial. Though not every child grows the same, perhaps some parents may...

There’s nothing more satisfying and rewarding than seeing your child conquer one milestone after the other. Being able to witness their growth and development is priceless. And just seeing them being able to explore new movements and recognize what’s around them effortlessly means the world. Though not all children grow and develop the same, there may be some instances or moments where you feel that some of the milestones that your child is supposed to have achieved by this point in their young lives are taking a while to happen. They may be experiencing some developmental delays  in gross motor...

EI Spotlight “Chelsea is the definition of a team player! She is a hard worker, always up for a challenge, and is willing to go the extra mile to help a child or family in need. Chelsea’s kid’s always look forward to her coming for her visit and seeing what creative and fun activity she has with her that week. Chelsea is such an asset to our team and we are so happy to have her!!” Thank you Chelsea for being such an asset to our team!! -EIS Elizabeth Child Spotlight “Rylan has progressed so much in the time that...