Child development research has clearly established that humans learn most rapidly in the period before age 3. The timing of intervention becomes particularly important when a child runs the risk of missing an opportunity to learn during a state of maximum readiness. If the most teachable moments or stages of greatest readiness are not taken advantage of, a child may have difficulty learning a particular skill at a later time.
Early intervention services also have a significant impact on the family of an infant or toddler with a developmental delay or disability. The family may sometimes feel disappointment, stress, frustration, and helplessness. This may affect the family’s wellbeing and interfere with the child’s development. Early intervention can help parents improve their attitude about themselves and their child, as well as provide information and skills for teaching their child.
The video below gives more detailed information on the importance of early intervention: