Developmental Screening Clinics for Preschoolers

Have questions about your child’s development? Helena Public Schools holds regularly scheduled clinics to identify preschool students ages 3-5 who may have special needs or developmental delays.

2026-2027 Child Find Dates:

Monday: September 14th, 2026

Monday: November 2nd, 2026

Monday: February 1st, 2027

Monday: March 8th, 2027

Appointments are required. Please call (406) 324-2020 to make an appointment. Screenings will be held at 1325 Poplar Street.

A Checklist for Your Child

Please note: All children develop at their own pace, so it is difficult to determine if a child has a delay based on the following questions alone. Early childhood specialists can help provide information through developmental screening and consultation with parents.

Printable PDF:Child Find 2026-2027 Brochure

If Your Child is 12 Months, Do They:

Wave bye-bye?
Pick up small objects with thumb and one finger?
Use three words on a regular basis?
Look at what you point to?
Walk holding onto furniture or with their hand held?
Cooperate in dressing?
Play games such as “Peek-A-Boo” or “Pat-A-Cake”?

If Your Child is 18 Months, Do They:

Follow simple directions?
Insist on doing things by themselves?
Point and name things in pictures or books?
Hold on to and drink from regular cups?
Use 10 to 30 words on a regular basis?
Play simple pretend. For example, feeding a baby?
Point to show someone what they want?

If Your Child is Two Years, Do They?

Play with toys as they are intended?
Say several two-t0 three-word sentences?
Take an interest in other children?
Follow simple one-to two-step directions?
Ask and answer simple questions?
Carry a large ball or toy while walking?
Point to an object or picture when named?
Imitate actions and words of others?

If Your Child is Three Years, Do They:

Catch a bounced ball?
Pedal a tricycle?
Draw a circle and a person with three parts?
Dress themselves with supervisions?
Say three- to four-word sentences consistently?