Empowering Early Childhood Development

Why 0-3

Empowering Early Childhood Development

Why 0-3

The first three years of life are the most important for lifelong mental health and well-being.

We use early childhood development research to create meaningful resources for families, professionals, and policymakers who shape the lives of young children.

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Impact Stories

Discover real-world stories and learn about people who make a real impact. 

It's no longer just a job. It's taking care of somebody's heart.
Masele Navarro
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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.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Trauma
Early Learning
Early Development
Physical Health & Nutrition
Child Care
Child Welfare
Economic Security

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.

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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.
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The Latest News and Featured Resources

Explore the latest news and updates in the field of early childhood development.

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Open Letter

Mental Health is Everyone’s Business. And It Starts with Ourselves.

After speaking at recent conferences for early childhood professionals, Sarah LeMoine reflects on why investing in professionals' own mental health isn’t optional; it’s essential. 
Details
Mental Health is Everyone’s Business. And It Starts with Ourselves.
A photo of Rachell holding her baby boy Nazaire
Open Letter

The Forgotten Fourth Trimester: Why Moms and Babies Deserve Better

Rachell, a Strolling Thunder 2025 parent, shares her journey through pregnancy loss, postpartum PTSD and early parenting to highlight why families urgently need paid leave, maternal mental health care and support for infant and early childhood mental health.
Details
The Forgotten Fourth Trimester: Why Moms and Babies Deserve Better
Distillation

Early Childhood Attachment Styles: What Parents and Professionals Should Know

Attachments are strong emotional bonds between two humans, and babies and toddlers form multiple ones with the various key people in their lives. These connections happen between infants and their caregivers, parents, siblings, and others they interact with. Developmental experts use this understanding of early attachments to comprehend how early childhood relationships form lifelong perceptions and behaviors in future connections.
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Early Childhood Attachment Styles: What Parents and Professionals Should Know
Distillation

It Takes a Village: A Holistic Approach to Supporting Babies and Families

The social-ecological perspective helps us understand that a child’s development doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it’s shaped by many layers of influence, from their close relationships to the communities and society around them. By looking at all these interconnected levels, we can better support young children and their families in every part of their lives.
Details
It Takes a Village: A Holistic Approach to Supporting Babies and Families
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.
Details
No Baby Goes Hungry: Ensuring Infant and Toddler Food Security
Resource

Supporting Young Children Affected by Family Separation Policies

This resource center is designed for early childhood development professionals working with families affected by deportation, forced separation, or the challenges of mixed-status households.
Details
Supporting Young Children Affected by Family Separation Policies
Resource

Celebrating Pride Month

Serving diverse families with respect and sensitivity has never been more critical for infant–toddler educators and the larger community of early childhood professionals.
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Celebrating Pride Month
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From birth to 3, a child’s brain produces more than 1 million neural connections each second.
Browse Early Learning Resources
See Our Baby Brain Map
Mother holding infant and smiling

Upcoming Events:

Check out our upcoming in-person and virtual events.

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Man with tattoos holding his toddler
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.
Details
Infant Mental Health Training: What You Need to Know
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.
Details
The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers
Virtual
July 16, 2025

Strengthening the IECMH Workforce: New Competencies, Shared Supports

This session explores how new national tools and frameworks are aligning to strengthen the IECMH workforce by building shared competencies, supporting reflective practice, and fostering resilience.
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Strengthening the IECMH Workforce: New Competencies, Shared Supports
dad holding baby
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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The Growing Brain Basics Webinar Series
Portland, OR
August 5, 2025

Cross Sites 2025

Safe Babies, A Program of ZERO TO THREE™, hosts the 19th annual Cross Sites Meeting, August 5-7, 2025. 
Details
Cross Sites 2025
Virtual
August 6, 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
The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers
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
The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers
Man with tattoos holding his toddler
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.
Details
Infant Mental Health Training: What You Need to Know
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A young child holding an infant in front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Babies and their families are coming to Capitol Hill to advocate for the policies they need to thrive.
see what's at stake

Your gift to ZERO TO THREE will help give children the best possible start in life.

Supporting a child in their first 1,000 days is a gift that can last a lifetime! 

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A Closer Look

learn more about ZERO TO THREE

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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Join the Think Babies™ Campaign!

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.

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