Press Release
Amid HHS Staff Cuts, Federal Leaders Must Protect Programs for Babies and Families
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Empowering Early Childhood Development
The first three years of life are the most important for lifelong mental health and well-being.
We're leveraging early childhood development research to provide powerful resources to families, professionals and policymakers who can make a difference in a child's life.
Impact Stories
Discover real-world stories and learn about people who make a real impact.
Our Focus
At ZERO TO THREE, we offer early childhood trainings and resources to address the most critical issues impacting babies and toddlers. Explore our fields of focus.
Making an Impact Together
Our belief that every child deserves a strong start in life fuels a collective mission to foster healthy development from the very beginning.
Understanding child development and your role as a parent or caregiver is crucial for molding babies and toddlers into the best versions of themselves. We support parents and caregivers through our projects and programs and early childhood development resources, including research-based tips and tools for effective parenting.
Advance your knowledge and skills with our comprehensive early childhood education training programs for professionals. Our resources, from conferences to free webinars, provide guidance for educators, health care workers and other early childhood professionals. They are designed to enhance your understanding of childhood development and inform effective teaching strategies.
ZERO TO THREE advocates for policies that promote the well-being and development of babies and toddlers as well as their families. We engage in research and collaborate with policymakers to influence legislation related to early childhood education, child welfare and child care solutions. We dedicate our efforts to ensure the needs of infants and toddlers are prioritized in public policy decisions.
We emphasize the importance of mental and emotional health in infancy and early childhood development. We provide resources and training for parents, caregivers and professionals on how to nurture emotional well-being in babies and toddlers. Through our programs and campaigns, we promote awareness of the critical impact of early experiences on mental health. We also develop guidelines and tools that you can use to support the mental and emotional needs of babies and toddlers.
Our programs, early childhood development resources and training programs empower communities. In addition to offering local resources, we facilitate training sessions for community organizations and professionals to enhance their capacity to support children and families effectively. By fostering community engagement and collaboration, we help create environments that nurture healthy childhood development.
"This is just what I needed to reestablish my motivation in moving forward with this work."
The Latest News and Featured Resources
Explore the latest news and updates in the field of early childhood development.
Resource
How the Department of Education Supports Babies and Toddlers
Proper nutrition during early childhood lays the foundation for lifelong health, but cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could put many babies at risk.
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Press Release
Babies and Families Will Be Harmed by the Closure of the United States Department of Education
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Open Letter
From Alleviating the ‘Mental Load’ to Addressing Intergenerational Trauma: How HealthySteps Supports Maternal Health
See how HealthySteps supports maternal health as part of transforming the promise of pediatric care.
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Distillation
Four Dispositions to Help Early Childhood Educators Transform Their Practice
Great educators do more than teach — they cultivate a way of being that shapes their interactions, decisions, and long-term impact.
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Press Release
Leading Advocate for Family Well-Being Melissa Boteach Joins ZERO TO THREE as Chief Policy Officer
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Distillation
Healthy Development Starts at Home: Six Steps to Building a Nurturing Home Environment
Discover how to create a nurturing home environment that supports emotional well-being, cognitive development and lifelong success.
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Open Letter
Reflecting on 50 Years Advancing Military Family Support
Barbara's legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to strengthening the well-being of military families now and for generations to come.
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Resource
No Baby Goes Hungry: Ensuring Infant and Toddler Food Security
Proper nutrition during early childhood lays the foundation for lifelong health, but cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could put many babies at risk.
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Healthy Futures: Ensuring Healthcare Access for Babies and Toddlers
Ensuring that all babies receive the medical attention they need is crucial to fostering a strong, healthy future.
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Supporting Young Children Through Uncertain Times: Resources for Stress and Trauma
Resources for Adults Who Care for Them
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From birth to 3, a child’s brain produces more than 1 million neural connections each second.
Upcoming Events:
Check out our upcoming in-person and virtual events.
Virtual
April 9, 2025
Introducing the Modern Military Family: Tips for Partnering with Service Members and Their Loved Ones
Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your expertise and make a lasting impact on the lives of military families!
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Virtual
April 22, 2025
DC:0—5™: Clinical Training
Tailored for those working with infants and young children, focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and case formulation.
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Virtual
May 7, 2025
The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers
Our newly designed virtual Training of Trainers combines live online events and self-study to support your journey towards becoming a ZERO TO THREE certified trainer of The Growing Brain curriculum.
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Virtual
May 14, 2025
Unlock the Power of Building for Babies: A State Policy Self-Assessment Suite
Join us for an introduction to Building for Babies: A State Policy Self-Assessment Suite, a tool designed to help states strengthen prenatal-to-3 systems through more than 100 infant and toddler policy recommendations.
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Virtual
June 17, 2025
DC:0—5™: Clinical Training
Tailored for those working with infants and young children, focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and case formulation.
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Virtual
July 15, 2025
Infant Mental Health Training: What You Need to Know
The DC:0-5 Overview Training helps administrators and allied professionals gain a foundation for understanding this diagnostic system.
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Virtual
July 16, 2025
The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers
Our newly designed virtual Training of Trainers combines live online events and self-study to support your journey towards becoming a ZERO TO THREE certified trainer of The Growing Brain curriculum.
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Virtual
August 5, 2025
The Growing Brain Basics Webinar Series
Explore how the brain grows and develops from conception to 5 years old and how you can support healthy brain development during these years when the brain is the most plastic, or receptive to change.
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Virtual
September 10, 2025
The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers
Our newly designed virtual Training of Trainers combines live online events and self-study to support your journey towards becoming a ZERO TO THREE certified trainer of The Growing Brain curriculum.
Details
Virtual
September 16, 2025
Infant Mental Health Training: What You Need to Know
The DC:0-5 Overview Training helps administrators and allied professionals gain a foundation for understanding this diagnostic system.
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Baltimore, Maryland
October 8, 2025
LEARN Conference 2025
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Babies and their families are coming to Capitol Hill to advocate for the policies they need to thrive.
Your Gift Can Chart a New Path for a Child
Your donation to ZERO TO THREE helps train thousands of early childhood providers, empower millions of families worldwide and advocate for responsive policies affecting babies and their families.
A Closer Look
New Early Childhood Books and Best Sellers | ZERO TO THREE
Explore our vast range of evidence-based resources and educational books designed to strengthen your practice.
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Join the Think Babies™ Campaign!
Learn about how you can get involved in the Think Babies™ campaign to promote enriching early experiences and a strong foundation from the start. It's time for policymakers to think babies.
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Early Childhood Issue Areas
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Calling All Baby Champions
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, community leader or policymaker, you can support our efforts and do your part in giving infants and toddlers a strong start in life.
Sign up for our newsletter to access the latest resources, learn about upcoming events and more. Help advance our initiative by making a donation or becoming a member.