Children begin learning from the moment they are born. During the first few years, they develop new ways to communicate, move, interact with others, solve problems, and understand the world around them. Parents are there for each new stage, but knowing what to expect is not always easy.
Child development support with Coalition of Health Services gives eligible families in the Amarillo, Texas area access to education and resources during these important early years. Through programs such as Parents as Teachers and Nurse-Family Partnership, parents can learn more about their child's development while receiving support that changes as their child grows.
Understanding Early Child Development
Child development includes much more than physical growth.
Young children are developing social, emotional, communication, cognitive, and physical skills at the same time. Some changes are easy for parents to notice, while others happen gradually through everyday interactions.
A baby may begin responding to familiar voices. Later, that child starts exploring objects, communicating in new ways, and becoming more independent. Eventually, the focus begins shifting toward skills that will help prepare the child for school.
Parents do not have to understand every developmental stage in advance. Having access to child development support gives families opportunities to learn along the way.
Parents as Teachers in Amarillo, Texas
Highland Park Parents as Teachers, commonly called PAT, is a free, evidence-based home visiting program serving eligible families in Potter County and Randall County.
Families can participate from the prenatal stage through age five, and there are no income restrictions.
Parents as Teachers is based on an important idea: parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.
Supporting Parents at Home
Children spend much of their early lives learning through everyday experiences.
Reading a book, singing a song, playing with toys, talking during a meal, or taking a walk can all provide opportunities for learning.
Parents as Teachers helps families better understand how these normal activities can support development.
Parents do not need to recreate a classroom at home. Instead, they can build learning into routines and activities that are already part of family life.
Nurse Family Partnership Services
Child Development Support
Coalition of Health Services provides eligible families in the Amarillo, Texas area with early childhood development support, education, and resources through programs such as Parents as Teachers and Nurse-Family Partnership.
Community Maternal Health program
Discover community maternal health programs in Amarillo, Texas, including Nurse-Family Partnership and Parents as Teachers, offering guidance and support from pregnancy through early childhood.
Early Childhood Development
Early childhood development resources with Nurse Family Partnership program in Amarillo, Potter, and Randall counties with the Coalition of Health Services.
Evidence-Based Home Visiting Program
Explore the Nurse Family Partnership Program in Amarillo, Potter County, and Randall County, offering free family support, child development screenings, and resources from prenatal through age five.
Family Support Services
family support services in Amarillo, TX with the Coalition of Health Services, offering Nurse-Family Partnership and early childhood programs.
Family Wellness Support
Family wellness support in Amarillo, TX with the Coalition of Health Services. Access Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, and early childhood resources.
First-Time Mom Support in Amarillo, Texas
Get trusted first-time mom support in Amarillo, Texas. Eligible mothers receive a personal nurse through the Nurse-Family Partnership program from pregnancy until age two.
Free Parenting Support
Get free parenting support in Amarillo, Texas through Nurse-Family Partnership programs offering home visits, education, and community resources.
Healthy Pregnancy Resources
Explore reliable pregnancy and parenting support in Amarillo, Texas. Learn about Nurse-Family Partnership offering education, nurse home visits, and early childhood resources from the Coalition of Health Services.
Home Visiting Services for Families in Amarillo, Texas
Learn about home visiting services in Amarillo, Texas, including the Nurse-Family Partnership offering guidance and support during pregnancy and early childhood.
Infant Health Education
Get expert guidance on infant health education in Amarillo, Texas. Access support through Nurse-Family Partnership and Parents as Teachers programs.
Lactation Support in Amarillo, Tx
Access trusted lactation support, first-time mom resources, and early childhood education programs from Nurse Family Partnership in Amarillo, Texas.
Maternal and Child Health Services
Find essential support and education for mothers and children in Amarillo, Texas through Nurse-Family Partnership and Parents as Teachers programs.
Maternal Health Support for Amarillo Families
Access reliable maternal health support, guidance, and community resources in Amarillo through programs like Nurse-Family Partnership.
Maternal Mental Health Support
Find maternal mental health support, pregnancy resources, and first-time mom programs through Nurse Family Partnership in Amarillo, Texas.
Nurse Home Visitation Program
Learn about the Nurse-Family Partnership program in Amarillo, Texas, offering free personal nurse visits and support for eligible first-em mothers from pregnancy through a child's second birthday.
Parenting Education in Amarillo, Texas
Find free parenting education and support programs in Amarillo, Texas, including Nurse-Family Partnership for eligible families.
Postpartum Support for New Mothers in Amarillo, Texas
Access personal nurse support and guidance for first-time mothers in Amarillo, Texas through the Nurse-Family Partnership program, from pregnancy to age two.
Pregnancy Support Services in Amarillo, Tx
Get pregnancy support services in Amarillo, Texas through the Coalition of Health Services. Access prenatal care and home visiting with the Nurse-Family Partnership.
Prenatal Nurse Visits for First-Time Mothers in Amarillo, Texas
Eligible first-time mothers in Amarillo, Texas can receive free personal support, pregnancy education, and long-term guidance through the Nurse-Family Partnership.
Public Health Nursing Services
Connect with free personal nursing support and family resources in Amarillo, Texas, for eligible first-time mothers through the Nurse-Family Partnership.
Personal Home Visits
One part of Parents as Teachers is personal home visits.
These visits give parents opportunities to discuss their child's development and learn more about the stage their child is currently experiencing.
A family with an infant will have different questions than a family with a four-year-old. Personal visits allow child development support to change as those needs change.
Parents can also learn about activities they can use with their children between visits.
The goal is to provide parents with useful information while recognizing the important role they already play in their child's life.
Child Development Screenings
Parents naturally watch their children for new skills.
They notice first sounds, movements, words, interactions, and other changes. They may also compare their child's progress with other children of a similar age.
Those comparisons can sometimes create questions.
Parents as Teachers provides child screenings that can give families additional information about their child's growth and development.
Understanding Developmental Milestones
Children do not all reach developmental milestones at exactly the same time.
One child may develop certain skills earlier while another takes more time. Developmental information can help parents better understand the changes they are seeing.
Screenings also give families an opportunity to ask questions about their child's progress.
When additional support or information may be helpful, families can learn about resources available in their community.
Helping Children Learn Through Play
For young children, play is an important part of everyday learning.
Stacking blocks can involve coordination and problem-solving. Looking through a picture book can introduce words and ideas. Pretend play can encourage creativity and communication.
Even simple activities can give children opportunities to explore.
Parents can participate by talking with their children, asking questions, describing objects, and allowing them time to experiment.
Child development support can help parents recognize these learning opportunities without making family activities feel like formal lessons.
Preparing for School
Early childhood development helps create the foundation children will use when they enter school.
School readiness is not something that begins a few weeks before kindergarten. Children develop skills over several years through conversations, relationships, play, routines, and new experiences.
Reading together can encourage early literacy. Simple games can help children practice taking turns and following directions. Talking about feelings can support social and emotional development.
Parents can make these experiences part of everyday life.
Parents as Teachers provides support through age five, allowing eligible families to continue learning as their child gets closer to school age.
Support Beginning During Pregnancy
Child development support can begin before a baby is born.
Coalition of Health Services also offers Nurse-Family Partnership, or NFP, for eligible first-time mothers.
Participants must be expecting their first baby, be 28 weeks pregnant or less when entering the program, and meet income requirements.
Eligible mothers may receive a free personal nurse who provides information and support during pregnancy and continues working with the family until the child's second birthday.
This allows mothers to begin preparing for parenthood during pregnancy and continue learning as their baby develops.
Connecting Families With Resources
Sometimes parents have questions or needs that extend beyond a specific family support program.
Knowing where to look for services can be difficult.
Parents as Teachers includes resource connections that can help families learn about additional services in their community.
These connections can give parents a starting point when they need more information or assistance.
Child Development Support in Amarillo, Texas
Children change quickly during their first years, and parents learn right alongside them. Having access to education and developmental information can help families better understand each new stage.
Through Parents as Teachers and Nurse-Family Partnership, Coalition of Health Services provides eligible families with home visiting services, child screenings, parenting education, developmental information, and connections to community resources.
For families searching for child development support in Amarillo, Texas, early childhood education, developmental screenings, parenting support, school readiness resources, or home visiting services, Coalition of Health Services provides programs designed to support families from pregnancy through the early childhood years.