The Child Development Project, under the Ministries of Health and Social Services, and Education, is a programme which is offered to all families in Bermuda with pre-school children.

Our aim is to prevent or minimise developmental problems in children and to support parents in their parenting role.

We provide an assessment service for pre-school children which helps to identify those with special needs and we offer services to the families to address those needs. We also provide general information about child development, numerous resources, and support to all families involved in the service through developmental booklets, newsletters, toy library and parent discussions groups.

The services of the Child Development Project are generally provided to children between the ages of two and four. We do, however, take referrals before the age of two and may continue our services until a child is five years old.

The first service that the Child Development Project provides is usually a screening. The names and birth dates of children born each year in Bermuda are forwarded to CDP by the Health Department when the children approach two years of age. Children who were not born in Bermuda can also receive the screening upon request.

Just what is a screening? A screening is a developmental check of your child's strengths and weaknesses.

We will be looking at your child's problem-solving skills, language development, behaviour and motor skills.

The screening is conducted on children between the ages of 24 and 30 months. A screener will be contacting you to schedule an appointment to come to your house. Screenings are done between Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. When setting up an appointment time, parents are encouraged to choose the time of day when their child is at his/her best.

The following suggestions should be considered: Your child should be well rested.

Your child should be fed.

It would be helpful to schedule at a time when you feel your child is most attentive.

Once in your home the screener will gather some general information about your child and family. She will briefly explain the procedure to you and then proceed with the screening. Basically the screener will be playing with your child. Age appropriate developmental toys are used to assess their development.

Parents, it is important to remember that your child is not expected to be able to perform successfully in all the areas.

The questionnaire will be given to parents to complete on parenting stress.

This is your opportunity to identify concerns that you have and with which we may be able to help.

At the conclusion of the screening, the results are verbally shared with the parents. Please keep in mind that this is not an IQ test -- so do not expect a score or written report. Children who perform age appropriately in all areas will not be seen again, unless a concern arises and parents refer to us at a later date. If there are developmental concerns, the screener will discuss these issues with you and together you will decide if further intervention is necessary.

If additional intervention is necessary someone from the Child Development Project will be in contact with you to schedule an appointment.

We at Child Development Project encourage every parent of two-year-olds to utilise our services. Not only does it allow you to see how your child is doing developmentally, it's also fun for your child.

Unfortunately, we are not always able to find children when they are of screening age. Therefore we encourage all parents to please call Child Development Project at 295-0746 on or before your child's second birthday.

Juliet Gomes -- Developmental Tester.