How It Works

What are IGDIs?

IGDIs are like growth charts for young children’s development. Just as doctors track height and weight over time to check a child’s health, IGDIs track skills like communication, movement, social interaction, and problem-solving.

These skills are measured regularly (such as monthly or quarterly) to show how a child is growing. If a child isn’t making expected progress, it can be a sign to take a closer look—so adults can better understand the child’s needs and adjust support or interventions to help them grow and learn.

IGDIs: Data-driven Decision Making

Early childhood educators discuss the benefits of the IGDI data system including graphs and strategies for improving child outcomes. Educators and administrators appreciate the ease of sharing data with caregivers and help guide child-specific classroom interventions. IGDI data is also used as outcomes data and helps give caregivers ownership over their child’s development.

IGDIs: Administration and Scoring

Educators and administrators develop schedules that work within their classroom or home-visiting environments to fit 6-minute IGDI assessments every one to three months. This video also discusses some best practices for administering IGDIs to best reflect a child’s abilities and areas of improvement. An example IGDI and its scoring is also included in the video, and administering IGDIs to children who speak or hear multiple languages is discussed.