Early On Michigan

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Infants and toddlers who are enrolled in Early On reach their fullest potential.

The information posted on this page is provided by Early On® Public Awareness, also known as the Child Find component of the Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), implemented in Michigan as Early On, which requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, from birth to 3, who are in need of early intervention services. The Office of Innovative Projects at Clinton County RESA (CCRESA) supports this effort through statewide marketing efforts to assist Michigan in meeting their child find requirements.

How an SLP Can Support a Child Who Is Deaf or Hard of HearingYou may notice that your baby is not responding to sounds t...
10/09/2026

How an SLP Can Support a Child Who Is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

You may notice that your baby is not responding to sounds the way you expected, or your toddler is using fewer words than you anticipated, and suddenly you have questions about communication and what support might help. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing to support communication, language, speech, feeding, and social interaction based on the individual child’s needs. The process begins by getting to know your child’s strengths, communication style, hearing history, and your family’s goals.

For a baby, an SLP visit might look like playing with toys, reading a book, singing, or practicing back-and-forth interactions while helping caregivers recognize and respond to early communication attempts. With a toddler or preschooler, sessions may include play-based activities that encourage vocabulary, following directions, combining words, taking turns, answering questions, or expressing wants and feelings. An SLP may also help families support communication through spoken language, gestures, signs, pictures, AAC, or a combination of approaches.

Parents are an important part of the process, so the SLP may demonstrate strategies that can be practiced naturally during meals, bath time, play, books, and other everyday routines. The SLP may also collaborate with audiologists, early interventionists, educators, ASL specialists, auditory-verbal professionals, and other members of the child’s team when appropriate. The goal is not simply to help a child “talk,” but to give them meaningful ways to understand, express themselves, connect with others, and participate in the world around them.


Our very own Toni representing our early childhood special education programs: Early On, Build Up, and Help Me Grow at t...
10/09/2026

Our very own Toni representing our early childhood special education programs: Early On, Build Up, and Help Me Grow at the UP Special Education Conference!

We’re excited to be part of the UP Special Education Conference! Stop by our vendor table to explore Michigan Early On resources, connect with our team, and discover ways to support infants, toddlers, and families. Together, we can strengthen partnerships and help every child grow, learn, and thrive. We look forward to seeing you there!

More info about the conference and its speakers:
https://sites.google.com/maresa.org/2026-u-p-se-conference/home

Building Confidence Starts With the Little ThingsYour child proudly builds a tower, takes a few steps, puts on their sho...
10/08/2026

Building Confidence Starts With the Little Things

Your child proudly builds a tower, takes a few steps, puts on their shoes, or tries something new, and you may be tempted to quickly say, “Good job!” But confidence grows even more when children hear that their effort, choices, and persistence are noticed. Try saying, “You kept trying even when it fell down,” or “You figured out a way to make it work,” so your child begins to recognize their own abilities.

Give your child opportunities to make simple choices, such as which shirt to wear, which book to read, or whether they want to clean up the blocks first or the cars. Let them try age-appropriate tasks independently, even when you know you could do them faster yourself. When something doesn't go as planned, resist the urge to immediately fix it and instead offer encouragement such as, “That was tricky—what could we try next?”

Children also build confidence when they know their mistakes do not change how loved and accepted they are. Celebrate their interests, listen to their ideas, and make space for them to show you what they can do. Confidence is not about believing you will always be the best or get everything right—it is learning, “I can try, I can learn, and I can ask for help when I need it.”



Image credit: GoZen: Anxiety Relief for Children

When Your Early Interventionist Understands Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing DevelopmentAfter learning that your baby is deaf or...
10/08/2026

When Your Early Interventionist Understands Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Development

After learning that your baby is deaf or hard of hearing, you may have questions about communication, development, and what support should look like—and you do not have to figure it all out alone. An early interventionist with a deaf and hard-of-hearing specialty can bring specific knowledge about hearing differences, language development, communication options, and the unique needs of young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The process often begins by learning about your child, your family, your goals, and the communication approach that feels right for you.

A visit might happen in your home or another familiar setting, where the specialist observes your child during everyday activities such as playing, eating, reading, or getting dressed. Instead of simply working with your child while you watch, the specialist may coach you through strategies that can be woven naturally into your daily routines. They might help you notice how your child communicates, encourage turn-taking, support visual attention, or create opportunities for language through signs, gestures, spoken language, listening, AAC, or a combination of approaches.

As your child grows from birth through age 5, the focus can change as their communication, social-emotional, cognitive, and motor skills develop. The specialist may also collaborate with audiologists, speech-language professionals, educators, ASL specialists, auditory-verbal professionals, and other members of your child’s team when appropriate. Early intervention is not about making every child communicate the same way—it is about giving your child accessible language, meaningful connection, and the opportunity to develop their strengths from the very beginning.


Baby's First Steps: Getting Ready to WalkThere is something magical about watching your baby pull up on the couch, stead...
10/07/2026

Baby's First Steps: Getting Ready to Walk

There is something magical about watching your baby pull up on the couch, steady themselves, and realize, “I can stand!” Most babies begin taking their first independent steps around 12–15 months, although there is a wide range of typical development. Before those first steps happen, you may notice your baby pulling up to stand, standing while playing, and eventually standing for a few seconds without holding onto anything.

You can encourage these skills by placing favorite toys on a sturdy, low surface so your baby has a reason to pull up and practice playing while standing. Offering small, safe objects to hold can also encourage your baby to practice balancing while standing, as long as the items are age-appropriate and closely supervised. When those wobbly first steps happen, expect plenty of tumbles because learning to walk takes practice, repetition, and confidence.

When your baby falls, your calm, positive voice can help them feel safe and ready to try again rather than becoming frightened by the experience. Give them opportunities to move freely in a safe, open space and let them practice at their own pace. Every pull-up, wobbly stand, and tiny step is building the strength, balance, coordination, and confidence they need to become a more independent walker.



Image credit: Pathways.org

Households with children under 19 on Medicaid or a pregnant Medicaid enrollee can receive a free, lead-reducing filter. ...
10/07/2026

Households with children under 19 on Medicaid or a pregnant Medicaid enrollee can receive a free, lead-reducing filter. Visit Michgan.gov/GetAheadOfLead for more information about eligibility and to sign up.

Don’t Forget the Early On Gear Pop-Up Shop! Heading to the Early On Conference? Don’t forget to check out the Early On G...
10/07/2026

Don’t Forget the Early On Gear Pop-Up Shop!

Heading to the Early On Conference? Don’t forget to check out the Early On Gear Pop-Up Shop and grab some gear to show your Early On pride! From shirts and sweatshirts to mugs and lunch boxes, there’s something for everyone who wants to represent the Early On community.

Ordering ahead means your items will be ready and waiting for you to pick up at the conference. Wear your Early On gear and celebrate the incredible community of people who support Michigan’s youngest learners and their families.

Place your order now, then pick it up at the conference! We can’t wait to see you there—and see you in your Early On gear!

Check out the shop and place order here: https://completesourceshop.com/earlyon/shop/home

Hello Early On Providers!The deadline for a statewide survey to understand social emotional support for young children h...
10/06/2026

Hello Early On Providers!

The deadline for a statewide survey to understand social emotional support for young children has been extended to October 30. We would love to hear from more Early On providers!

This survey asks about social-emotional supports for children from birth to age 5 — what exists in Michigan right now, what is missing, and what the workforce needs. Your answers are confidential and reported only as part of a group.

About 20 minutes
Answers are confidential
Save and finish later
Raffle for ten $15 gift cards

Click the link below with more information and the link to complete the survey!
https://michiganiecmhc.org/surveys

How Sensory Play Can Encourage Speech DevelopmentImagine your toddler sitting at the table, squishing playdough between ...
10/06/2026

How Sensory Play Can Encourage Speech Development

Imagine your toddler sitting at the table, squishing playdough between their fingers while you say, “Squish, squish!” and suddenly they try to copy you. Sensory activities can create natural opportunities for children to explore sounds, words, gestures, and communication while they are already engaged in something fun. Water play, playdough, sand, bubbles, finger painting, and sensory bins can give children something interesting to look at, touch, and talk about.

As your child plays, describe what they are doing with simple words such as “wet,” “cold,” “more,” “squeeze,” “pour,” or “big.” Follow their lead and pause after you speak, giving them time to respond with a sound, gesture, sign, word, or other form of communication. Sensory play can also encourage turn-taking as you roll a ball back and forth, take turns scooping, or blow bubbles and wait for your child to ask for “more.”

These activities are not about making a child repeat words on demand—they are about creating meaningful reasons to communicate. When children feel interested, engaged, and connected, everyday play can become a wonderful opportunity to build communication skills. Remember that communication can include gestures, facial expressions, signs, pictures, AAC, sounds, and spoken words, and every attempt to connect matters.



Image credit: Learn With Taimoor

Supporting Your Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Child Through Early InterventionYou may leave a hearing appointment with your ba...
10/06/2026

Supporting Your Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Child Through Early Intervention

You may leave a hearing appointment with your baby and suddenly have a long list of questions: “What happens next?” and “How can I help my child communicate?” An early interventionist can become an important part of that next step, helping families understand their child’s development and find strategies that fit naturally into everyday life. Rather than simply working with the child, the early interventionist often coaches and supports the whole family.

A visit might happen in your home, childcare setting, or another familiar environment and could include playing with toys, looking at books, practicing communication, or observing how your child responds to sounds and interactions. The interventionist may show you ways to encourage your baby or toddler to communicate through gestures, signs, spoken language, listening strategies, visual communication, or a combination of approaches. They may also help you identify your child’s strengths, answer questions, and connect you with other professionals and community resources.

As your child grows from infancy through age 5, support can change with their developmental needs, communication approach, and family goals. The early interventionist may collaborate with audiologists, speech-language professionals, educators, ASL specialists, auditory-verbal specialists, and other members of the child’s team when appropriate. Early intervention is not about changing who your child is—it is about making sure they have meaningful opportunities to communicate, connect, learn, participate, and thrive.


Address

240 S Bridge Street, Ste 250
Dewitt, MI
48820

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+15176680185

Website

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