As school districts across Central Florida finalize enrollment numbers for the upcoming academic year, kindergarten registration is fully underway. While families often use the summer months to focus on traditional back-to-school checklists, camp schedules, doctor’s appointments and school supplies, early childhood advocates are encouraging parents to trust their gut and address potential developmental delays and “Kindergarten Prep” now rather than waiting for the first day of school.
Putting off conversations about any concerns you have when it comes to your child’s speech, behavior or social skills can prevent them from starting the school year on a strong foot. Securing early intervention during the summer can be a crucial step toward ensuring students have the resources they need to thrive.
One Local Mom’s Journey Through A Complicated System
For Central Florida mom Melissa Soden, seeking help early made a world of difference. At three years old, her daughter was diagnosed with level 1 autism, at which point she was minimally verbal. The diagnosis came shortly after Soden started a new job and she was faced with the daunting task of navigating the complex educational system while simultaneously transitioning into a new career.
Soden was connected to Help Me Grow, a free service sponsored by The Children’s Forum and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning, and locally managed by Heart of Florida United Way that offers families guidance on navigating early developmental delays and helps connect them with available community resources. Through the program, Soden received immediate assistance in securing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and wraparound therapeutic services that supported her daughter’s growth.
“It can feel impossible to know what your first step should be once you receive a diagnosis,” said Soden. “When I called Help Me Grow, they broke down what resources would be helpful for my daughter and explained what types of support were available. Having a support plan in place for my daughter before she started public school meant she had what she needed to thrive.”
Why the “Wait and See” Approach can Backfire
Early childhood experts emphasize that waiting until the first parent-teacher conference to flag concerns can result in a frustrating first grading period. High demand for support services can mean that formal evaluations, speech therapy or classroom accommodations are delayed due to extended processing time.
Jennifer Crenshaw, Program Manager for Help Me Grow at Heart of Florida United Way, notes that proactive outreach during summer months can help families get on lists sooner and, in some cases, bypass any delays.
“It can take weeks or months for some programs to have availability, which can be tough for parents and caregivers looking for support,” said Crenshaw. “Our goal is to make sure your child has the resources they need to thrive. And one of the best ways to do that is by building that bridge of support before the first day of school.”
Summer Takeaways for Central Florida Parents, Why “Kindergarten Prep” is Crucial
To help your child transition smoothly into kindergarten, keep these key insights in mind this summer:
Beat the Summer Bottlenecks: Evaluations, appointments for specialists and school board paperwork take time. Starting the process earlier can help your child receive accommodations sooner.
Intervention is a Tool, Not a Label: Seeking help for your child will not negatively label them. Early intervention simply unlocks the specific tools, environment and resources they need to learn in ways that work best for them.
Lean on Free Community Resources: Help Me Grow offers free developmental screenings and resource coordination to simplify the process. Even if you are just curious about your child’s development or hitting milestones, reach out and talk to someone.
Families seeking guidance on school readiness, developmental milestones or IEP navigation can access Help Me Grow services by calling or texting 211 or visiting helpmegrowfl.org.
