Next Step Child Development & Family Support

Next Step Child Development & Family Support Sprouts Child Development began as the LINK Project, a developmental screening program, created in 1991 at Children’s Medical Center.
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The LINK Project’s primary goal was identifying children in childcare in need of early intervention services, ensuring more children were healthy and ready to succeed when they entered school. At that time children in full-time childcare were reported to be at greater risk of falling behind developmentally because many were in less than quality childcare up to 50 hours a week. Since 1991 screening

services (through the LINK Project) were offered to every child enrolled at a childcare center, because all parents are interested in how their child is progressing developmentally. However, many may not know what to expect or how to help. One of the biggest struggles for the LINK Project over the years was trying to meet the request for services while having a three-year waiting list of childcare centers. So, the LINK team of developmental clinicians, along with several pediatricians and other community partners, began looking for ways to serve more children and their families; and we succeeded. Our website contains an online developmental screening link, the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Additionally, the website contains information about developmental milestones and activities to enhance each child's development. Additionally, we launched a wonderful series of Early Literacy videos divided into Infant, Toddler, and Preschool sections. Each video contains tips and ideas to promote the development of early literacy skills you're probably already seeing your little ones do every day! In the fall of 2019, we began providing speech/language and occupational therapy and the services of a developmental pediatrician.

Big emotions aren’t misbehavior; they’re learning opportunities. And, it's up to us to guide them. ❤️
05/03/2026

Big emotions aren’t misbehavior; they’re learning opportunities. And, it's up to us to guide them. ❤️

Isn't that the truth? 😂
04/30/2026

Isn't that the truth? 😂

Children think in pictures. 🧠So when we say, “Don’t run in the street,”the image they see… is running in the street.“Don...
04/28/2026

Children think in pictures. 🧠
So when we say, “Don’t run in the street,”
the image they see… is running in the street.
“Don’t jump in the puddle?”
They picture jumping.
It’s not defiance—it’s how their brains work.
Try flipping it:
➡️ “Walk on the sidewalk.”
➡️ “Go around the puddle.”

Say what to do—that’s the picture that sticks.


For more great tips:
http://sacraparental.com/.../gentle-parenting-tips-26.../

Children don’t learn calm on their own—they learn it from us.When they “borrow our calm,” we’re helping them make sense ...
04/22/2026

Children don’t learn calm on their own—they learn it from us.
When they “borrow our calm,” we’re helping them make sense of big feelings.
That’s co-regulation… and it’s how self-regulation grows.

Image courtesy of


Kids aren’t wired for constant stimulation…they’re wired for meaningful experiences! What children repeat, their brains ...
04/22/2026

Kids aren’t wired for constant stimulation…they’re wired for meaningful experiences!
What children repeat, their brains learn to prefer. And right now? Fast, high-reward inputs are everywhere. This is addictive and drives children to obsessively seek out more input from screens and processed food (without actually enjoying it more), but the kinds of experiences that actually build regulation, resilience, and confidence are slower… quieter… and often overlooked! CREDIT: and Institute of Child Psychology

No matter who they are, when you lock eyes with little ones, give them a big smile — it tells them, “I see you, and you ...
04/21/2026

No matter who they are, when you lock eyes with little ones, give them a big smile — it tells them, “I see you, and you matter.” ❤️



Often, what adults see as intentional '𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿,' is really a child's attempt to communicate a need they don't have ...
04/12/2026

Often, what adults see as intentional '𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿,' is really a child's attempt to communicate a need they don't have the words or maturity to express! ❤️
!!
!!

"Be careful” doesn’t teach children 𝙃𝙊𝙒 to be careful. Instead, you might try:• “Watch your footing.”• “Go slow—notice y...
04/11/2026

"Be careful” doesn’t teach children 𝙃𝙊𝙒 to be careful. Instead, you might try:
• “Watch your footing.”
• “Go slow—notice your balance.”
• “What’s your plan?”
• “Do you feel steady?”
• “I’m right here if you need me.”
Specific words build awareness.
Calm support builds confidence.
That’s how children learn to trust themselves. 💛

It's tempting to jump in with the answer—especially when we already know it.But every time we pause instead of rescuing,...
04/08/2026

It's tempting to jump in with the answer—especially when we already know it.
But every time we pause instead of rescuing, we give our children a chance to think, problem-solve, and build real confidence.
Because the goal isn’t just getting it right…
It’s learning how to figure things out.



Kids don’t jump because they’re “wild.”They jump because they’re wired to move.This isn’t misbehavior. It’s regulation.M...
04/03/2026

Kids don’t jump because they’re “wild.”
They jump because they’re wired to move.

This isn’t misbehavior. It’s regulation.
Movement is development.

Their brain is saying:
“I need to feel my body.”
“I need to find my balance.”

Jumping builds coordination, focus, and self-control—before they fully have it.

So don’t just stop it—guide it:
→ “Let’s jump somewhere safe.”

You’re not managing chaos.
You’re shaping development.

One jump at a time. ❤️

Address

Tulsa, OK

Telephone

+19186994250

Website

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