Center for Children and Families

Every child’s journey starts small 🐛✨

Just like a caterpillar needs the right care to grow and transform, children need early support to reach their full potential.

Through Grow With Me developmental screenings, we help families understand their child’s development early—so they can take the right steps at the right time.

💙 This Comets Giving Days, your gift helps identify delays early and connect families to life-changing support. It helps helps us train the next generation of understanding and knowledgeable professionals.

🔗 Https://utd.link/3tp
Learn more about our Comets Giving Days campaign by visiting the link in our bio.

ChildDevelopment

Comets Giving Days está a la vuelta de la esquina y estamos emocionados de unirnos para apoyar nuestro programa Crece Conmigo 🌱

Este programa se enfoca en apoyar el desarrollo de los niños mientras entrenamos a las futuras generaciones de profesionistas y expertos en temas de desarrollo infantil—y con tu ayuda, podemos lograr un impacto aún mayor.

💙 Cada donación, sin importar el tamaño, nos ayuda a seguir apoyando a la próxima generación.

📅 ¡Aparta la fecha y únete a hacer la diferencia!
🔗 Conoce más y prepárate para donar: https://givingday.utdallas.edu/giving-day/115742/department/115749



Comets Giving Days is right around the corner, and we’re excited to rally support for our Grow with Me program 🌱

This program focuses on supporting children’s development while training future generations of professionals and experts in child development—and with your help, we can make an even greater impact.

💙 Every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue nurturing the next generation.

📅 Mark your calendars and join us in making a difference!
🔗 Learn more and get ready to give: https://givingday.utdallas.edu/giving-day/115742/department/115749

If you’ve been curious about how Play It Forward works, this video answers some of the most common questions parents ask 🤍

 
In this short video, we walk you through:
🧸 Who the program is for
🎨 What’s included in the program
🤍 Can siblings attend
 
Play It Forward is a research-informed, PLAY-BASED program led by child development specialists at the Center for Children and Families. It is designed to feel warm, supportive, and practical, not overwhelming or judgmental.
 
🗓 Every Saturday from 10:00–11:30am
📍 UT Dallas campus
📆 February 14 through May 9
 
If you’ve been curious and wondering if this program is the right fit for your family, this video is a great place to start.
 
✨ Learn more and see if Play It Forward is right for your family
🔗 Link in bio

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual and you don’t have to figure it out alone 🤍

Play It Forward is a warm, welcoming, play-based program where parents and children learn together through meaningful play, expert guidance, and connection with other families.

Led by child development specialists and grounded in research, the program offers proven strategies that feel supportive, doable, and natural to use at home.

🧩 Guided play and parent support
🗓 Every Saturday from 10:00–11:30am
📍 Center for Children and Families at the UT Dallas campus
📆 February 14 through May 9

Each session is designed to be judgment free and focused on quality bonding time while helping parents feel more confident supporting their child’s development.

✨ Learn more and see if Play It Forward is right for your family
🔗 Link in bio

As we close out the year, we want to thank everyone who supports and participates in our programs. Families, students, staff, faculty, supporters, and donors, thank you.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2026. We are excited for what’s ahead, with new projects and more opportunities to grow and connect with more families.

“What makes you happy?” ☺️
For our Play It Forward parents, the answer is simple: their children.

Seeing them learn to share.
Watching confidence grow.
Those smiles that say everything.

Play It Forward is designed to nurture those moments—through intentional play, expert support, and meaningful connection.

🌱 Spring session starts February 14
🔗 Register today: https://utd.link/3c5