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16 | The Early Years Kete Cerebral Palsy - Hōkai Nukurangi TOOLKIT • Early interventions assist with your child’s development, if there are delays or concerns about how they are progressing. • Early health and education intervention services may work together. • There are choices of early intervention providers, dependent on which region you live in (see examples in the table below). Child Development Services across NZ • Health NZ, Te Whatu Ora provides early health interventions across NZ through Child Development Services. Information on services in each region are found at: www.healthpoint.co.nz • Child Development Services offer a range of assessment and intervention services, depending on the needs of your child and whānau. The age range for services is different for each region in NZ. • The Child Development team will work alongside your whānau to improve your child’s independence in everyday activities. • Team members generally visit your home to see you and your child, or they could see you at the hospital or clinic. • Your child can be referred through your GP, other health professionals and health providers such as Well Child. Early interventions The Child Development Service will work with you and your child: • to understand your child’s and whānau needs • to support you with early learning and activity opportunities • to help plan how activities can be included in everyday life for your whānau. Key points when looking for interventions: • Interventions help your child and whānau work towards a goal or focus. • Interventions should be centred around your child and whānau. • Interventions should be about fun, play, moving, exploring and learning. • Interventions encourage your child to take part in everyday life activities suitable for your child’s age and stage. • Interventions need to become more challenging as your child develops skills. Above photo courtesy of Cubro