Program Overview

Introduction to Play It Forward

Play It Forward is a 12-week program designed for parents and children (ages 03) to learn, grow, and play together. Led by child development specialists, each weekly session blends music, movement, and guided play to help strengthen the parent-child bond and support the child's early learning.

Program Details

The program is held on Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at The University of Texas at Dallas, with the first session starting on February 14, 2026. The program fee is $200, and a sibling fee of $30 applies for additional children.

Services Included

• Developmental Screening: A personalized developmental screening using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) to understand the child's growth in key areas.
• 30-Minute Consultation: An optional 30-minute consultation with a child development specialist or a graduate student trained in child development.
• Language Pedometer & Feedback Report: An optional service where families can take home a LENA device to analyze their home language environment and receive a printed report with expert feedback.

Curriculum

The 12-week program covers various topics related to children's development and parenting, including:

• Week 1: Building Community "Helping Ourselves, Helping Each Other"
• Week 2: Brain Development "Healthy Children Happy Parents"
• Week 3: How is your Child Developing? "Healthy Children Happy Parents"
• Week 4: Helping Children Eat Healthy "All About Nutrition"
• Week 5: "Play = Learning"
• Week 6: Temperament "Every Child is Unique"
• Week 7: The Parent-Child Relationship "Building Strong Families"
• Week 8: Self-Regulation
• Week 9: Encouraging Positive Behaviors
• Week 10: Promoting your Child's Independence "I Can Do It!"
• Week 11: Promoting Social Skills
• Week 12: Reflections and Future Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I enroll in the Play It Forward program?: Complete the registration form, which includes payment and basic details.
• What is a LENA device?: A lightweight device that captures the natural sounds and conversations around the child to better understand their language environment.
• What does each session look like?: Each session blends fun, structure, and science-backed learning, with activities changing weekly to focus on different areas of the child's development.
• Can I enroll with more than one child?: Yes, families may enroll more than one child between the ages of 0 and 3, with a sibling fee of $30.
• What's the difference between the Play It Forward and the Play With Me programs?: Play It Forward offers added benefits, including a developmental screening, a 30-minute consultation, and a language pedometer, and is held at the UTD campus on Saturdays.