Children usually move in a natural and predictable way from one milestone to the next. But each child grows and gains skills at their own pace. Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting the growth and development of children and youth.

It’s exciting to celebrate new milestones as your child grows, and important to recognize when additional support might be needed.

Learn more about what to expect from your child's development. 

Learn how experiences shape brain development. Learn about how life experiences shape brain development. The Brain Story offers short informational videos about how to best support children family and communities. Learn how life experiences shape brain development and impact life long health. 

Early years

Ages and Stages Questionnaire: A series of questionnaires designed to help you monitor your child's physical, mental, and emotional development at regular intervals from 2 months to 5 years old.  

You can now complete an Ages and Stages Questionnaire or a Social-Emotional Questionnaire online.

• For the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) click here.
• For the Social Emotional Questionnaire (ASQ:SE-2) click here.

Once completed you will be contacted by a staff member with the results.

Zero To Three Child Development: Includes tips and tools for parents of children ages 0-3 with questions on challenging behaviours, early development, health/nutrition, promoting social/emotional development, play, sleep, etc.

Middle years

On My Way (Ontario Government): A Guide to support middle years child development from the government of Ontario

Teenage years

Straight Talk about Teens:  From the Psychology Foundation of Canada, this booklet helps in understanding teenage development.

The Growing Child: This guide from Stanford Children’s Health is a useful tool to help with understanding puberty and how teenage bodies change as they grow.

If you have concerns

If you have any concerns about your child’s development, first talk to your family doctor or physician. If you need to find a doctor, visit the Alberta Health Services website or call HealthLink at 811.

For more specialized support, connect with:

• Child Adolescent and Family Mental Health (CASA):Call 780-400-2271 or access the CASA website
• Children And Youth Mental Health Intake Services (AHS): Call 780-342-2701 
• Alberta Health Services Ft Saskatchewan & Strathcona County Speech Department: Contact 780-342-4575 

If you need additional resources or unsure where to start, call the Strathcona County Family and Community Services at (780) 464-4044 or HealthLink at 811