The first 2,000 days of a child’s life between birth and kindergarten are critical to development and their chances of lifelong health and well-being.
We’re Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development serving 140,000 children, families and professionals.
Our more than 800 caring and highly-qualified staff provide 40 early childhood programs and services to children, families and professionals in Arizona.
BIRTH TO FIVE HELPLINE™
Call 877-705-KIDS (5437) for Free Child Development Support
The Birth to Five Helpline is a free service open to all Arizona families with young children looking for the latest child development information from experts in the field. Professionals may also take advantage of this service.
Call the Helpline to speak with one of our bilingual (English/Spanish) early childhood specialists, on duty Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You can also leave a voicemail, complete our online contact form (below), or text the Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
NEWS
Nurturing Little Minds: A Guide to Reading with Your Child from Birth to Five
Reading with your child isn’t just about flipping through pages; it’s about cultivating a love for stories, expanding their imagination, and laying the foundation for literacy skills. As your child …
Little Free Library Volunteers Needed
April is National Volunteer Month and a great time to recognize the key roles volunteers play in helping Southwest Human Development serve more than 140,000 children and families each year. …
Spring Break Adventures with a Purpose
As the excitement of spring break approaches, parents everywhere are gearing up for a week of fun and relaxation with their little ones. It’s the perfect opportunity to plan activities …
The Power of Play
As adults, we often find ourselves marveling at the boundless energy and curiosity of the children in our lives. From the moment they come into this world, children are like …
FREE Family Event ‘Thrive to 5 Playfest’ Set for Sat Mar 23
Southwest Human Development, Arizona’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to early childhood development,is hosting the third annual Thrive to Five Playfest on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 9am to 1pm at …
Grand Opening Celebration of New Head Start Location Tuesday, December 12
Southwest Human Development is celebrating the opening of a new Head Start location on the Larry C. Kennedy campus in the Creighton School District in Phoenix with an open house …
We’re here to help.
Our early childhood professionals are available to answer any questions you may have about young children ages 0-5 in the areas of child development, feeding, sleep, behavior and more.
Programs for Children & Families
Southwest Human Development offers more than 40 programs that support Arizona children and families with a special focus on ages 0-5.
Child Development and Mental Health
Supporting children’s early relationships and promoting healthy development.
Helping children enter school ready to learn through high-quality early childhood education programs.
Easterseals Disabilities Services
Providing comprehensive support, evaluation and intervention that best fits each child’s unique needs.
Family Support & Child Welfare
Offering families and caregivers support, counseling and resources critical to a child’s well-being.
The Martinez-Aguirre Family
“I see a difference between them and others not in the program. They’re learning basic skills like being the line leader or the door holder. Other kids don’t know their letters and numbers.”
Early Childhood Professional Development Opportunities
We offer a variety of nationally-recognized professional development opportunities for people who work with young children including Quality First Coaching and Assessment, Smart Support Mental Health Consultation, Birth to Five Helpline for Professionals, Language and Learning Initiatives, and our Inclusion Program.
STAY IN THE KNOW
Join our email list and stay up to date on upcoming events, professional development trainings, news and more.
Helping Arizona Children & Families
With your support we can do even more