COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations

Information about COVID-19 and flu immunizations for the 2025-26 season can be found at www.hpph.ca/illness. 

Your Baby & Toddler's Development

As your baby grows, they will reach certain developmental milestones. You can monitor and promote your child's growth and development through healthy feeding, regular medical visits and active play.

Physical activity is important for young children. Along with a number of health benefits, such as reducing anxiety levels, physical activity helps improve:

  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Self confidence
  • Sleep

Introducing physical activity early in your child's development is an important step in promoting an active lifestyle for years to come. Check out the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years to learn more about the benefits of physical activity on child development.

Tummy time helps your baby gain strength and can prevent the development of flattened head syndrome. Some additional benefits of tummy time include:

  • Helping your baby develop head control
  • Strengthening the upper body (back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands)
  • Developing gross motor skills like crawling, sitting and rolling
  • Developing fine motor skills and play skills
  • Promoting sensory development by changing the environment

Learn More: 

Children often find it hard to express their feelings. To help them, you can:

  • Let your child describe their feelings in their own words
  • Listen to their words and do not judge
  • Provide children with helpful words their feelings
  • Talk to your children about the different feelings they have
  • Use favourite characters in storybooks to discuss feelings.
  • Relate the character's feelings to your child's feelings
  • Speak aloud about your own feelings
  • Create a safe space for your child to express both negative and positive feelings
  • Be patient

Sleep is very important to your child's health and well-being. Learn more about how much sleep your child needs at Caring for Kids: Healthy sleep for your baby and child.

Healthcare providers are in a unique position to support parents in the optimal growth and development of their children through early assessment and interventions.

The parent/caregiver and child relationship, in the first three years, plays a crucial role in the child’s development which can influence the rest of their life. Early intervention in response to developmental concerns has a positive effect on children’s development and behavioural outcomes.

The following tools can be used by healthcare providers at any point of the child's development to track and support the developmental progress of children:

  • ASQ-3 is a fee-based developmental screening tool designed for use by health care professionals and is designed to catch delays and celebrate milestones.
  • Early Years Check-In is a free, simple tool that can be used concurrently with parents to assess the developmental progress of children 18 months to 6 years.
  • Looksee Checklist is developmental checklist that can help assess a child's progress. It is available for a fee and takes into account the key skills most children should master at a specific age.
  • smallTALK is the Preschool Speech Language Program serving families in Huron and Perth counties that specializes in early intervention and speech developmental milestones.

Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) encourages healthcare providers to use the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts for Canada to monitor growth patterns of infants, children, and adolescents. WHO charts support consistent practices in growth monitoring and assess patterns of linear growth and weight gain to support healthy child growth and development.

Changes in growth patterns warrant further assessment to determine if support or intervention would be beneficial.

Also, parents need support to understand normal growth and development. Over emphasis on weight and weight changes can result in harmful force feeding and weight-control practices.

Please contact Huron Perth Public Health if you would like more information or training in this area.

This guide covers a wide range of topics related to postpartum recovery, newborn care, and your emotional well-being during this important transition.  

Some babies may go through a stage—known as the period of purple crying—where crying seems intense, and hard to soothe. This phase typically begins around two weeks of age and subsides by three to four months, though the peak is around two months. 

PURPLE is an acronym describing what parents can expect during this time:  

  • Peak 

  • Unexpected 

  • Resists soothing 

  • Painlike face 

  • Long-lasting 

  • Evening crying. 

 
Shaken Baby Syndrome  

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a serious and preventable condition that can happen when a baby is shaken out of frustration or anger. Shaking a baby—even for a few seconds—can cause brain damage, blindness, seizures, or even death. No child, at any age, should ever be shaken.  

Did You Know?

The PURPLE Crying program was developed to help parents understand that this crying is normal and temporary—and that walking away to stay calm is a safe, loving choice. A few minutes to breathe, regroup, or call a support person can make a big difference. 

Learn more:  

  • Colic & Crying | Canadian Pediatric Society
    • Helpful tips and reassurance for parents supporting a crying baby.
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome | National Centre on Shaken Baby Syndrome.
    • Preventing infant injury and educating caregivers.
  • The Period of Purple Crying | London Health Sciences Centre
    • Educate parents and caregivers about the normal infant crying. 

Your toddler’s brain develops rapidly through every day loving interactions. Simple moments—talking, playing, responding—build lifelong learning and emotional health. 

How to Support Brain Development 

You can support healthy brain development by: 

  • Talking, singing, and playing often—your voice and attention matter most.
  • Responding to their cues with smiles, eye contact, and gentle words.
  • Mirroring actions like clapping or facial expressions.
  • Limiting screen time—real-life interaction is best for brain growth.
  • Creating calm, engaging routines that include time to explore and rest. 

Did You Know? 

Your toddler’s brain forms over a million new connections every second during the early years—just from loving back-and-forth moments. 

Learn More 

Serve and Return | Alberta Family Wellness Initiative 
Short video explaining how simple responses build your child’s brain. 

Reading with your toddler strengthens brain connections, builds vocabulary, and supports emotional development. It is not just about books—it is about bonding. 

Make Reading Fun and Meaningful 

You can make reading fun and meaningful by: 

  • Repeating favourite books—toddlers love predictability.
  • Use fun voices and facial expressions.
  • Ask open-ended questions to spark curiosity.
  • Sing, rhyme, and tell stories throughout the day.
  • Make reading part of your routine—even a few minutes each day makes a difference. 

Local Tip 

Libraries in Huron and Perth County offer free story times, crafts, and reading challenges. A great place to meet other families and spark a love of reading. 

Learn More 

Being active helps your toddler grow strong, feel happy, and sleep better. It also builds skills they will use for life. Physical activity supports healthy development in the early years. It helps children learn, grow, and feel their best—physically and emotionally. 

Why It Matters 

Physical activity helps toddlers by: 

  • Building strong muscles and bones.
  • Improving balance and movement.
  • Learning to share and play with others.
  • Boosting confidence and self-esteem.
  • Getting better sleep.
  • Supporting their mental health. 

Tips for Active Play 

You can encourage your child to be active by: 

  • Letting them run, jump, crawl, and climb.
  • Dancing to music together.
  • Going for short walks and exploring. 
  • Playing with balls, push toys, or ride-on toys.
  • Keeping screens off during active time. 

Did You Know? 

You are your child’s biggest role model for physical activity. When they see you moving, playing, or enjoying active time, they are more likely to join in and stay active too. It is recommended that toddlers be active for at least three hours every day—it can be broken up into small chunks of fun. 

Learn More 

Contact Us

Huron Perth Public Health

Huron Office
77722B London Road, RR #5, Clinton, ON
N0M 1L0

Perth Office
653 West Gore St., Stratford ON N5A 1L4
Toll-free 1-888-221-2133
askhpph@hpph.ca

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