Families who complete child development screenings during “Books, Balls & Blocks” on Thursday, June 20, at Brevard Zoo will receive free zoo admissions, while supplies last.
Hours for the Help Me Grow Brevard event will be 9 a.m.-1p.m. Zoo tickets may be used that day or later.
Children ages 2 months to 8 years will be eligible for screening. They can stay busy and safe in a special play area in the Nyami Nyami Lodge, while parents complete online Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) or other screenings.
They also will be able to watch the meerkats and maybe catch a glimpse of the giraffes in “Expedition Africa.”
Help Me Grow Brevard is a coalition of nonprofit and government agencies led by 2-1-1 Brevard, which works to increase the number of children – primarily infants to 5-year-olds – who get routine developmental screenings.
2-1-1 Brevard is an affiliate of Help Me Grow Florida, a state-funded system designed to promote healthy development for every child.
At the event, the screenings will be scored on-site, and a Help Me Grow Brevard coordinator will discuss results with the families. The parents’ answers will show a child’s strengths, as well as highlight any areas in which the child may need more practice.
The Help Me Grow coordinator will continue to work with families who need support and check in later with families who don’t.
Research shows that 1 out of 6 children experiences developmental delays, learning disorders or behavioral and social-emotional problems. Early detection leads to early intervention and better long-term results.
Dr. Preeti Bimbrahw of Viera Pediatrics serves as a “physician champion” for Help Me Grow Brevard, stressing the importance of monitoring child development in her practice and at public events.
“It is important to track development to make sure a child is meeting milestones along the expected time frame,” she said. “The earlier abnormalities are picked up, the sooner interventions can start.”
The Help Me Grow Brevard partnership includes 2-1-1 Brevard, Early Learning Coalition of Brevard, Healthy Start Coalition, Space Coast Early Steps, Brevard Health Alliance, Florida Department of Health in Brevard, Brevard Public Schools, Space Coast Health Foundation, Brevard Homeless Coalition and United Way of Brevard.
Help Me Grow Florida is sponsored by the Children’s Forum and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning.
Learn more by:
Dialing 2-1-1 and asking for Help Me Grow.
Visiting 211brevard.org/help-me-grow or helpmegrowfl.org
Going to facebook.com/helpmegrowbrevard.
