Early learning professionals generally know when children are not performing up to their age level, but there are a multitude of reasons why parents may not recognize the challenges their preschooler faces. Now, Columbus Kids is engaging parents in a very hands-on way to assess their child's development through the Ages and Stages Questionnaire that is administered by parents every six months.

"We are bringing awareness to parents of where their children are at a specific point in time and providing information on what their children should be doing at different stages of development," says Cindy Sturni, executive director of Columbus Kids. "It becomes a partnership between the Columbus Kids team and the parent with the shared goal of helping children get the support they need to succeed."

Columbus Kids' goal, according to Sturni, is to stay connected with parents and be an ongoing resource to help these parents get their children ready for kindergarten. The program uses various means to stay in touch, including birthday cards sent to children in the program that provide activities to enhance kindergarten readiness and follow up telephone calls to check on a child's progress or remind the parent that it's time for another six month Learning Checkup.

For more information on Columbus Kids or a list of upcoming Learning Checkups, visit www.columbuskids.org or call 614-241-3089.

Columbus Kids is a collaborative effort led by the United Way of Central Ohio that involves more than 100 community partners. It is funded by the Columbus City Schools, Columbus City Schools Education Foundation, Columbus Foundation, Franklin County Board of Commissioners, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Nationwide, The Limited Foundation and individual donors.