what is summer screening
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What is Summer Screening?
Head Start requires a number of physical, developmental and mental health screenings. Below you will find an explanation of each screening, when
they are due, why we do them and how you can prepare your child for the screenings. Parents are
responsible for obtaining the screenings marked with an asterisk (*).
Hearing ScreeningWhat is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your
Child By…Deadline
Your child will be asked to listen to a series of
sounds and tones. They will be asked to raise their hand when they hear the tones.
Hearing tests can identify early hearing loss so that
children can receive necessary assistance.
telling them they’ll get to wear headphones and
listen to different sounds. This does not hurt and
many kids think this is fun.
Annually/Within 45 days of child’s
first day of school
Vision ScreeningWhat is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your
Child By…Deadline
Your child will be asked to identify objects of a certain size and at a certain distance to
determine their ability to see.
Vision tests can identify early vision loss so that
children can receive necessary assistance.
telling your child that they’ll just have to look at pictures and tell the
adult what they see. The adult will ask them to hold a cover over one
eye at a time. The adult might shine a small
flashlight in their eyes. This does not hurt!
Annually/Within 45 days of child’s
first day of school
Early Screening InventoryWhat is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your
Child By…Deadline
The ESI helps to identify children who may need
special education services in order to
perform successfully in school. This screening
is done only for children ages 3 to 6.
Screening enables teachers, administrators and parents to seek help much sooner for a child, if
needed.
telling them that a teacher will play some games with them at a table, probably
in the hallway or in a room outside the classroom.
Within 45 days of your child’s first day of school.
Blood PressureWhat is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your
Child By…Deadline
The nurse or doctor will put a cuff around your
child’s arm and pump a small bulb to tighten the cuff. This allows
the examiner to measure the amount of
pressure the child’s blood is flowing at.
Although it’s unusual for a child to have high blood pressure, some children
have been identified early with high blood pressure
readings. Early identification can prevent future health problems.
explaining that the nurse or doctor will put a special piece of cloth around their arm. Then they’ll pump
the bulb to make the piece of cloth get tighter. Make
sure to explain to your child that this will not hurt.
Annually (part of physical exam)
Within 90 days of your child’s first day of school
Physical Exam*What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your
Child By…Deadline
A doctor will listen to your child’s heart, look
in their eyes, ears, nose, mouth and
evaluate your child’s physical growth and
development. A Head Start staff member may take height and weight.
Physical exams can identify health concerns that might interfere with your child’s development
and ability to learn.
telling them the doctor will look at parts of their
bodies that nobody else is allowed to touch or look at. The doctor’s job is to make sure children are healthy and growing like they’re
supposed to.
Annually/Within 30 days of child’s
first day of school
Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ:SE)*
What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your Child By…
Deadline
This measures the child’s social skills and emotional
development. This screening will help identify behavioral
problems and concerns that a parent or teacher may have. Both parent
and teacher complete this questionnaire.
This screening can help children receive help
they need and problems so problems do not get
worse.
telling them they might see teachers watching
them or writing. It’s the teacher’s job to do this to make sure kids learn and
grow.
Annually/Within 45 days of child’s
first day of school
Dental Exam*What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your Child
By…Deadline
A dentist or dental hygienist will clean your child’s teeth, perform x-
rays and sometimes give fluoride treatments.
Dental exams c an identify dental problems so that
children can receive necessary assistance.
telling your child that they will lie back in a chair and open
their mouth wide so the dentist can look at their teeth. The dentist will use special tools
and might tap on their teeth to make them shiny and clean.
This doesn’t usually hurt, but if it does, it will be over quick.
Annually/Within 90 days of child’s first day of
school
Lead Screening*What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your
Child By…Deadline
A simple blood test (finger prick or sample from the child’s vein) to determine your child’s blood lead levels. If
your child’s blood lead level is too high, the
doctor may want to do a second test and will
ask you questions about the child’s home
environment.
High lead levels can be damaging to your child’s physical development, learning abilities and
behavior. Annual screening, treatment and prevention
can help avoid these problems.
Telling them the nurse or doctor will need to take a
little bit of blood from their finger or arm. This might hurt a little bit, but it will be over
quickly. They will get a band-aid when it’s over.
Annually/Within 90 days of child’s first day of
school
Hemoglobin*What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your
Child By…Deadline
Checks your child’s iron level. If iron levels are
low, the doctor may prescribe iron supplements.
Iron is necessary for good health and growth. Low iron may cause a child to be irritable, sleepy and
more prone to infections and illness.
Telling them the nurse or doctor will need to take a
little bit of blood from their finger or arm. This might hurt a little bit, but it will be over quickly. They will get a band-aid when it’s
over.
Annually/Within 90 days of child’s
first day of school
Denver What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your
Child By…Deadline
A trained teacher will administer this test to help
determine if your child's development is within the
normal range. This screening is only done for children under 3 years of
age.
Screening enables teachers, administrators and parents to seek help much sooner for a child, if
needed.
telling them that a teacher will play some games with them at a table, probably
in the hallway or in a room outside the classroom.
Annually/Within 45 days of child’s first day of
school
Devereaux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA)
What is it? Benefits to your child You Can Prepare Your Child By…
Deadline
This program helps teachers and parents
learn more about children’s social and emotional health and
resilience, and identify the strengths and
potential areas of growth for all of the children in
the center.
Gives the Mental Health Specialist, Teacher and
parent more information about the child’s behavior
and social/emotional development. If there are concerns, your child will
receive the help he or she needs.
telling them they might see teachers watching
them or writing. It’s the teacher’s job to do this to make sure kids learn and
grow.
Only done if the Mental Health Specialist and
parent feel further evaluations is needed.
Immunizations*What is it? Benefits to your
childYou Can Prepare Your Child By… Deadline
A series of shots over a period of months or years to prevent the
development of certain infectious diseases.
Immunizations help young bodies build their own defenses
against disease.
Remaining calm but firm-your attitude will influence your child’s. If you are calm, this will help lessen your child’s fears. Assure your child that while the
shot may prick them, it will be over quickly. Offer your child as much physical comfort and support as
possible.
Before the first day of school