RAISING HEALTHY KIDS

Helping your child grow, learn, and thrive

Trusted, free resources for the everyday work of raising kids — from development and health coverage to play, learning, and family wellbeing.

Supporting the whole family

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, chat with them online via their website, or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If this is an emergency, call 911.

Supporting the whole child

Children grow in three connected ways — their physical health, their executive function (focus, memory, and self-control), and their social-emotional skills. Below are trusted resources to nurture all three.

Physical health & development

Keep your child healthy and growing strong.

Immunizations

Stay on track with recommended vaccines, and view or print your child's official immunization records through the Colorado Department of Public Health.

Health coverage for kids

Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) offer free or low-cost health coverage for eligible children and pregnant people.

Healthy food (WIC)

Nutrition support, healthy food, and breastfeeding help for pregnant people, new parents, and children under 5.

BUILDING BLOCKS FOR LEARNING

Executive function: the skills behind focus and self-control

Executive function is the set of mental skills children use to focus, remember, plan, and manage impulses — the foundation for school readiness and lifelong success. These skills grow fastest in the early years, and everyday play and routines are some of the best ways to build them.

Working memory

Holding and using information — like remembering the steps to get dressed or following a two-part direction.

Flexible thinking

Adapting to change and seeing things in new ways — switching the rules of a game or trying a different approach to a puzzle.

Self-control

Managing impulses, emotions, and attention — waiting for a turn or staying focused to finish a task.

Support these skills at home

EFgo by Reflection Sciences gives families a quick, science-based way to measure your child's executive function — plus a free activity guide with 20+ play-based games that build these skills. You can start measuring for free.

THE FOUNDATION

Social-emotional skills start with relationships

Warm, stable, responsive relationships are the most important ingredient in healthy development. When children feel safe and connected, they learn to manage emotions, make friends, and bounce back from challenges. Everyday back-and-forth — talking, playing, and responding — is what builds these skills.

Serve & return

Simple back-and-forth moments — responding to your child's words, sounds, and gestures — build the brain connections behind lifelong social-emotional health. Learn five easy ways to practice it.

Feelings, play & routines

Free videos, printables, and activities that help young children name feelings, handle big emotions, and build caring relationships — from the trusted friends at Sesame Street.

Support for the whole family

A calm, supported caregiver helps a child feel secure — and you deserve support too. Colorado Crisis Services offers free, confidential help 24/7. Dial 988 or call 1-844-493-8255.

Everyday tools for raising your child

Free, trusted resources for all ages and stages.

Suicide Prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, chat with them online via their website, or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If this is an emergency, call 911.

Depression in 

Lantern (formerly Bright by Text)

Get free, research-based text messages with games, tips, and local resources matched to your child's age — from before birth through age 8. Text BRIGHT to 274448 to start.

Play & learn (Vroom)

Hundreds of free, science-backed activity ideas that turn everyday moments — mealtime, bath time, the car — into brain-building play.

Looking for child care, too?

Quality early learning is one of the best things for a growing child. We can help you find it.