ECS4Kids - The Kids’ Table

A child's health plays an important role in their ability to learn, focus, communicate and participate in the classroom. But sometimes, health concerns can be easy to miss, especially when young children cannot explain what is wrong.
In this episode of The Kids’ Table, Jamila Green, Director of Health and Nutrition Services for Head Start at ECS4Kids, shares practical information to help parents recognize potential health concerns, understand the importance of early screenings and take steps to keep their children healthy and ready to learn.
This episode is designed for parents, caregivers and educators who want to better understand the connection between children's health, development and school readiness.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why early childhood health screenings matter
What makes a health screening reliable and evidence-based
Signs of possible vision, hearing and dental health concerns
How untreated health problems can affect learning and behavior
Why following up with a physician is so important
How to overcome common barriers to accessing care
Practical ways to keep children healthy during cold and flu season
The importance of well-child visits and advocating for your child's health
Additional resources:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Periodicity Schedule: https://www.aap.org/periodicityschedule
To learn more about ECS4Kids programs and services, visit www.ECS4Kids.org.

In this episode of The Kids’ Table, we continue our conversation with Jessica Bone, Senior Director of Child Wellness at ECS4Kids, about supporting children with special needs.
This episode focuses on practical tips parents and caregivers can use at home and in everyday life. Jessica explains why children with special needs may experience daily routines differently, and why predictability, preparation and support can make a meaningful difference for the whole family.
Jessica shares guidance on visual schedules, transition warnings, co-regulation and responding to challenging behaviors. She also reminds parents that behavior is communication, and that families are not meant to figure everything out alone. When a strategy is not working, it may be time to lean on a pediatrician, therapist, specialist or care team to better understand what the child needs.
This episode is designed for parents, caregivers and educators who want practical, compassionate guidance for supporting young children with special needs at home, at school and in the community.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why daily routines can feel different for children with special needs
How visual schedules can help children understand what comes next
Why transition warnings can make changes easier
How adults can use co-regulation to help children calm down
Why behavior is communication
What parents can do when common strategies are not working
How pediatricians, therapists and specialists can help families find more individualized support
Why routines, structure and loving caregivers benefit all children
If you have questions about your child’s development, behavior or support needs, visit www.ECS4Kids.com to learn more and connect with our team.

In this episode of The Kids’ Table, we continue our conversation about special needs, early intervention and how families can find the right support for young children.
Jessica Bone, Senior Director of Child Wellness at ECS4Kids, joins us to talk about what early intervention means, why developmental milestones matter and what parents can do if they have concerns about their child’s development.
Jessica explains how early support can help children build the skills they need for the next stage of growth, from motor development and speech to social-emotional learning and classroom participation. She also reminds parents that a diagnosis is not a limit on a child’s future. Instead, it can help open the door to therapies, resources and support that help children thrive.
This episode is designed for parents, caregivers and educators who want to better understand developmental delays, special needs, early childhood milestones and how to advocate for young children.
In this episode, we discuss:
What early intervention means for infants, toddlers and preschool children
Why developmental milestones matter
Signs parents can watch for at home
How to talk with your pediatrician about concerns
Why parents should not feel ashamed to ask questions
How a diagnosis can help children access support
Why parents are their child’s first teacher and strongest advocate
If you have concerns about your child’s development or want to learn more about how ECS4Kids supports children with special needs, visit www.ecs4kids.org and connect with our team.

In this episode of The Kids Table, we hear from Angela Callahan, an ECS4Kids parent alumna, about her family’s journey raising a child with special needs and how early support changed their lives.
Angela’s son graduated from ECS4Kids a decade ago. When he was young, her family was navigating developmental delays, sensory challenges, meltdowns, and uncertainty. Through Early Head Start and Head Start, Angela found the support her son needed — and the guidance she and her husband needed as parents.
Angela shares how ECS4Kids helped her family understand her son’s needs, create routines at home, use calming strategies, and build confidence during a difficult season. Today, her son is thriving as a successful middle school student, a powerful reminder that a diagnosis does not define a child’s future.
This conversation is for parents, caregivers and families who may be wondering whether their child needs extra support, navigating a special needs diagnosis, or looking for encouragement as they advocate for their child.
In this episode, we discuss:
Early signs of developmental delays and sensory needs
Special needs support in Early Head Start and Head Start
How ECS4Kids supports children with diagnosed disabilities
Practical parenting tools like calm-down spaces and picture schedules
Why early support can help children reach their full potential
Encouragement for parents of children with special needs
To learn more about ECS4Kids and our support for children and families, visit https://www.ecs4kids.org