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Child Development Institute

Strengthening Families… Strengthening Communities

At Child Development Institute (CDI) our mission is to help all children reach their full potential by supporting the relationships and environments that shape early development.

See how we can help

Early Intervention Services

You are not alone – we are here to help!

We help thousands of families understand their child’s individual needs, learn how to support their child’s development and connect to resources in the community.



Explore Our Services

Play-Based Learning & Prevention Services

CDI’s Early Learning Center (ELC) is a free, play and learning space, open to all children ages 0-6 and their families.

The ELC offers families a safe, nurturing environment with age-appropriate play and learn activities that parents can take home, along with free developmental screenings and engaging parenting workshops.



Browse Our Programs & Classes

Professional Training

CDI’s well established professional training program facilitates meaningful trainings throughout Los Angeles county.

We customize our training content for each organization’s needs and desired outcomes, making each training experience unique and interactive.



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  • I loved it here. My 18 month old niece was able to try out just about everything and had a blast. From talking to the fishy’s, to doing puzzles, going down the slide, and playing with all the toys, it was great! We can’t wait to go back and try some of the classes.

    Amanda -

  • I love everything about ELC. It’s clean, the staff are warm and friendly, and the programs and playspaces are engaging. I haven’t come across a better child space, paid or free.

    Leah -

  • A place where all children can play, explore and learn for FREE. Love it here.

    Marshelle -

  • CDI’s innovative approach, relationship-based intervention by learning through play, is exactly what Stephen needed.

    Kiki -

How to Get Involved

How can you get involved with CDI and help make the future brighter for the children and families of San Fernando Valley?

Become a Volunteer

Attend an Event

Get involved in Advocacy

Upcoming Events

November 2, 2020

  • 10:30 am - Let's Get Moving- ELC Program 

  • 12:00 pm - Read, Sing, and Discover!- ELC program 

  • 4:00 pm - Ready, Set, Write (3-5yrs) 

November 3, 2020

  • 10:00 am - CALM Baby & Me (0-12mos) 

  • 2:30 pm - Tranquil Tuesdays- ELC program 

  • 3:00 pm - Sensory Learners (6-12mos) 

More Event Information

Recent Blog Posts

5 Qualities of a Strong Parent-Child Relationship

Relationship building takes time and effort. Parents must work hard at developing a strong and dynamic relationship with each of their children. Our children grow and change with each new

ELC baby mom

Developmental Screeners: Have you had your child’s development checked?

Pediatricians follow a schedule of recommended visits for children from 0-18 years of age. At each visit, the doctor pays attention to the child’s development, growth and general health. But

Self Regulation: Important Predictor of Success

What do you think of when you hear the term self-regulation? Parents usually envision a well behaved child: calm and obedient. For a therapist, self-regulation sits at the intersection of a

Speech photo boy

Ten Activities to Promote Your Child’s Speech and Hearing Skills

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month. CDI’s speech therapists work with children and their families to improve communication, reduce auditory delays, and tackle oral-motor and feeding challenges. Parents often wonder

OT swing

Occupational Therapy, It’s Not Just Play!

Occupational therapists love to come up with clever ways to help their young clients thrive. Tapping into a child’s motivation is the key ingredient in our recipe for therapeutic success.

ELC Dad and boy

Why Dads Should be Involved in Their Child’s Therapy

Family dynamics can make a parent feel invisible. All families are complex and rich with unique patterns that get created early on. A dominant parent can emerge because of personality

Baby group

Crawling: A Developmental Adventure

Imagine for a moment a baby sitting on the floor. He looks up and sees a colorful object on the other side of the room. He gets on all fours,

The Power of Attunement

Attunement is our ability to be aware of and respond to our child’s needs. It is deeply connected to emotional attachment. Some children may have a very different temperament than

Mom and baby smiling

Parents & Play

Psychology experts, from David Elkind, Ph.D. to Peter Gray, Ph.D., all agree that the role of children is play. Free, unstructured play especially promotes learning in ways that structured activities

Rethinking The Use Of Technology For Our Children

 Technology is all around us. Children are taught at a young age to use devices for entertainment, education, boredom, and regulation. Opinions are divided on whether the use of iPads

5 Reasons Why Your Toys Are Better Than Ours

One of the questions we get asked regularly is: How come you don’t always bring toys with you when you come for an in-home session? Although there are times when

Grandfather And Grandson Playing With Toys On Floor At Home

Your Child’s Brain and Healthy Development

Your Child's Brain and Healthy Development The first three years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a baby's development - especially the brain. By

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