GROW ALONG WITH ME
Supporting families for healthy child development.

A community approach
Those passionate about early learning and child development have come together to create Grow Along with Me. This Southern Alberta partnership creates a team effort in helping families provide the best possible start for their children.

Knowledge and resources from across the region teach, support and encourage family involvement in child development.

Developmental checkup
Just like visiting the dentist, having an eye appointment or seeing a doctor, it’s important to schedule a developmental checkup for your child. Grow Along with Me is focused on reaching all children 18 to 36 months and ensuring their families receive the support they need to foster healthy growth and development.

It’s exciting and rewarding to see your child learn and grow. During the early years of life, this is something that happens almost daily. At this time, your child’s success depends greatly on your participation in the learning process.

Six months and 18 months
At six months and again at 18 months children should be seeing a public health nurse for a well child visit. Before each appointment you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire called “Ages and Stages”. During the visit, your nurse will go through the questionnaire with you. Although no two children will develop at the same rate, this tool helps guide parents in understanding how their child is doing.

Two to three years
Between you child’s second and third birthday you should schedule another developmental checkup. Well child clinics are not scheduled for this age group so parents can book this appointment through their Parent Link Centre. You can also get more information about your child’s developmental checkup if you are involved with Parents as Teachers or your child attends a daycare or day home.

Nurturing early learning
Grow Along with Me educates parents on the importance of early learning. Through parenting classes, community programs and health promotion initiatives, families learn skills that will help support their child’s development.

Supporting growth
Many challenges related to development can be helped by getting support early. Grow Along with Me provides follow-up services to ensure all children continue to thrive.

These follow-up services are provided by:

• Chinook Health
• Parent Link Centres
• Parents as Teachers

Reaching new heights
Grow Along with Me provides access to families regardless of location. The geographical reach of Grow Along with Me spans across Southwestern Alberta providing support in urban centres as well as rural communities.

Continuing to grow
Grow Along with Me is a three year, provincially funded program. The seeds planted through this project will continue to grow for years to come, creating a strong foundation for child development in our region.

Although the project is focused on reaching children 18-36 months, expanded services and strengthened parenting skills will have a lasting impact on all Southern Alberta children.

For more information on Grow Along with Me in your area and how to book your child’s developmental checkup contact:

Grow Along With Me Brochure