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The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are a time of rapid changes in their body, mind, and emotions. From crawling to walking, from babbling to conversation, from purees to solid foods, childhood development is unparalleled throughout the rest of life.
That’s why the Delaware Department of Health and Human Services introduced the QT30 concept to educate parents and caregivers about the benefits of personal interaction during the critical formative years of childhood.
Initially, the QT30 program was just a brochure. The state is currently offering a guide through an app for parents and guardians of children up to 8 years old. The app encourages parents to provide 30 minutes of quality interaction to build a strong foundation for the future.
“The QT30 concept actually began many years ago with a group of early childhood stakeholders in Delaware, including child psychologists, with the goal of conveying the message of how important the first 1000 days of a child’s life are. ,” said QT30 leader Crystal Sherman. Delaware Department of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health. “They go from just sleeping and eating to walking and talking. We wanted to leverage and show how important it is.”
