Make the First Five Count: A Child Development Screening Tool

A Free Child Development Screening for Parents of Children Birth–5

The #1 Screening Tool Trusted by Pediatricians

Wondering if your child’s development is on track?

Make the First Five Count is a free, easy-to-use online screening that helps parents better understand their child’s development and what support might help them thrive.

You know your child best. This screening is designed for parents and caregivers because your everyday observations matter.

Make the First Five Count uses the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® Third Edition (ASQ‑3™), a widely used developmental screening trusted by pediatricians and early childhood professionals for more than 20 years (Lipkin, et al., 2020).

The screening offers a clear snapshot of how your child is doing right now and identifies strengths and areas where extra support could be helpful.

This tool is:

• Free and confidential
• To be completed by a parent/caregiver
• Designed for children 1 month through age 5

How the Screening Works

Simple. Fast. 

1. You answer questions about things your child does every day using “yes,” “sometimes,” or “not yet.”
2. You can try fun, simple activities with your child to help answer questions.
3. After you finish, an Easterseals professional reviews the results and shares the next steps with you.

Most parents finish in 10–15 minutes.

For best results, take the screening on a computer.

Important Disclaimer 

• Ages & Stages Questionnaires® is a registered trademark of Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.
• ASQ3™ is designed for screening, not diagnosis. Results are shared by email within two weeks.
• If potential delays are identified, Easterseals can help guide next steps.
• For children age 6 or older, contact your healthcare provider, school district, or your child’s teacher.

Areas of Development Screened

The ASQ‑3 screens five key areas of early development:

• Communication – How your child understands and uses language
• Gross Motor – How your child uses large muscles to move and explore
• Fine Motor – Hand and finger skills used for drawing, stacking, and play
• Problem Solving – How your child learns and plays with objects
• Personal/Social – Self-help skills and interaction with others

The results help you understand what’s going well and where added support may help as your child grows.

Why the First Five Years Matter

The early years are a time of rapid brain growth. More than one million neural connections form every second in early childhood (Harvard).

That means:

• Early support can have a powerful impact
• Small concerns addressed early can prevent bigger challenges later
• Parents deserve clarity, not guesswork

Taking a screening means you’re being proactive.

Trust Your Instincts

As a parent or caregiver, you are often the first to notice changes or challenges. The screening gives you a starting point for conversations with pediatricians or other professionals.

Take the Free Screening Today

Because every child deserves a strong start.

A Leading Provider of Early Childhood Care 

The Easterseals Child Development Center Network offers quality early childhood education and development support as the leading provider of childcare in the U.S., serving more than 25,000 children every day.

Parents receive expert advice and resources to confidently champion their child's success. Explore the information below and contact your local Easterseals to learn more.