Why Developmental Milestones Matter

Children develop at different rates, and parents naturally have questions about whether their child is progressing as expected.

Developmental milestones provide one way to understand early childhood development.

Milestones describe skills that many children can demonstrate by certain ages in areas such as communication, movement, learning and social interaction.

Milestones Are Not a Race

Children do not all develop in exactly the same way or on exactly the same schedule.

Milestone information should therefore be used as a tool for awareness, not as a competition between children.

Parents and caregivers can watch for patterns and learn what skills are generally expected during different stages.

Why Early Awareness Matters

If a parent has concerns about a child's development, noticing those concerns early gives the family an opportunity to ask questions and seek appropriate information.

Solano Family & Children's Services offers free developmental screenings and also connects families with resources through Help Me Grow Solano. 

Everyday Activities Support Learning

Development does not only happen during formal educational activities.

Talking with a child, reading together, singing, playing, looking at pictures, practicing simple tasks and exploring the environment can all create opportunities for learning.

Young children learn through relationships and everyday experiences.

Parents Do Not Have to Know Everything

Parenting comes with an enormous amount of information.

It is normal to have questions.

Resources such as developmental screenings, parenting support, lending libraries and family engagement opportunities can give parents additional tools as they navigate the early years. Solano Family & Children's Services lists these resources among its services for parents and caregivers. 

The important thing is not to have every answer immediately.

It is to know where to find reliable information when a question comes up.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

Understanding the Difference Between Child Care and Child Care Resources

Finding child care can be a major task for a family. There are schedules to consider, ages and needs to account for, costs to understand and providers to research.

That is why it can help to understand the difference between providing child care and helping families navigate child care resources.

Solano Family & Children's Services provides child-care resources and referrals for families in Solano County. Its services include help paying for child care, referrals to licensed child-care providers, developmental screenings, parenting support, a lending library and Help Me Grow Solano. 

Families Have Different Needs
There is no single child-care arrangement that works for every family.

Parents may need care during different hours, for different ages, or in settings that accommodate specific circumstances.

Solano Family & Children's Services offers a free list of licensed child-care providers and can personalize a search based on factors such as location, type of care, hours needed and children's ages. The organization explains that it provides referrals rather than making recommendations for individual providers. 

Financial Assistance Has Eligibility Requirements
For families looking for help paying for child care, eligibility is important.

Solano Family & Children's Services states that subsidized child-care programs may provide full or partial payment for eligible Solano County families. Eligibility and enrollment depend on program requirements, available funding and other factors. Applying does not automatically guarantee assistance. 

Resources Can Make the Search Easier
The child-care search can feel overwhelming because families are often making several decisions at once.

Having access to information about licensed providers, financial assistance, developmental resources and parenting support can help families better understand their options.

That is the role of child-care resource organizations: helping families navigate information and connect with appropriate resources.

For Solano County families, Solano Family & Children's Services is designed to be part of that resource connection.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

Why You’re Always Tired (Even After 8 Hours of Sleep)

You're sleeping 7–8 hours… but waking up tired, unmotivated, and low on energy.

In this video, I break down the real reasons you feel tired all the time, even when you get enough sleep — and how simple habits can boost your energy, focus, and productivity fast.

This isn’t medical advice.

Just practical, science-backed lifestyle fixes you can use to feel more awake, more focused, and more productive every day.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

 

Small Learning Moments Can Make a Big Difference

Children are learning all the time.

Learning doesn't only happen at school or in a classroom. It happens while a child helps prepare a meal, listens to a story, sorts laundry, builds with blocks, asks questions, explores outside, or talks with a parent about something they noticed.

These everyday moments can support important developmental skills.

Reading together, for example, introduces children to language and vocabulary while also encouraging imagination. Counting objects during everyday activities can make early math concepts more meaningful. Letting children help with simple tasks can encourage independence.

Perhaps most importantly, these activities create opportunities for adults and children to connect.

Parents don't need expensive toys or complicated lesson plans to encourage learning. A conversation during a walk can become a lesson about nature. Cooking together can become an opportunity to practice counting and measuring. A trip to the grocery store can involve colors, shapes, numbers, and new vocabulary.

Solano Family & Children's Services provides resources designed to support families, including developmental screenings, parenting support, Help Me Grow Solano, and a lending library with books and activity resources.

The important thing is to stay curious with your child.

Ask questions. Listen to their answers. Let them explore. Celebrate their efforts.

Those little moments may seem ordinary, but they are part of how children learn about themselves and the world around them.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

Finding the Right Child Care Is About More Than a Location

Choosing child care is a big decision.

For many families, the right program needs to balance schedule, location, cost, learning opportunities, safety, and the individual needs of the child. There is no single child-care arrangement that works perfectly for every family.

That is why having access to reliable information can make such a difference.

Families may want to consider questions such as:

What hours does the program offer?

What age groups does it serve?

What is the caregiver-to-child ratio?

What activities are offered throughout the day?

How does the provider communicate with parents?

What are the policies for meals, naps, illness, and emergencies?

Families should also think about their child's personality and needs. Some children may thrive in a smaller setting, while others enjoy a larger group environment.

Cost is another major consideration. Child care can represent a significant expense for families, which is why learning about available assistance programs can be an important part of the process.

Solano Family & Children's Services helps connect Solano County families with child-care resources, including information about licensed providers and programs that may help eligible families with child-care costs.

Finding child care can feel overwhelming, but families don't have to navigate every question alone.

The more information parents have, the better equipped they are to make a decision that fits their family's needs.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

What is depression? - Helen M. Farrell

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world; in the United States, close to ten percent of adults struggle with the disease. But because it’s a mental illness, it can be a lot harder to understand than, say, high cholesterol. Helen M. Farrell examines the symptoms and treatments of depression, and gives some tips for how you might help a friend who is suffering.

Lesson by Helen M. Farrell, animation by Artrake Studio.

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website

 

Child Development: Getting Kids Ready for a New School Year

The start of a new school year brings fresh backpacks, new teachers, new routines—and sometimes a few big feelings.

For children, transitioning from summer to a structured school schedule can take some adjustment. That's why preparing for the school year is about more than buying school supplies.

A consistent bedtime and morning routine can help children know what to expect. Talking positively about school can also help build excitement and reduce anxiety about a new classroom or teacher.

It's also a good time to encourage age-appropriate independence. Simple tasks such as choosing clothes, packing a backpack, putting away belongings, or helping prepare a snack can help children develop confidence and responsibility.

And don't forget the emotional side of preparation. Ask children how they're feeling about the upcoming school year. Some kids may be excited to see friends, while others may be nervous about changes or new expectations.

Every child develops at their own pace. What matters is giving them opportunities to practice skills, build confidence, communicate their feelings, and feel supported.

At Solano Family, we understand that preparing children for school involves much more than academics. We focus on supporting children's development and helping families create positive experiences as children grow, learn, and become more independent.

A new school year is a new beginning—and that's something worth getting excited about!

LOCATION

421 Executive Court North

Fairfield, CA 94534-4019

(707) 863-3950

Website