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.

I hope that people out there know that they can advocate firmly for their children.

Lorna Harris-Fisher

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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.

Support for Parents and Caregivers

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.

Resources for Professionals

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.

Policy and Advocacy

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.

Mental and Emotional Health

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.

Community Support

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.

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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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Press Release

Leading Advocate for Family Well-Being Melissa Boteach Joins ZERO TO THREE as Chief Policy Officer

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Power List

Change Agents for Maternal Mental Health

For Women's History Month, we celebrate remarkable women – many with mental health stories of their own – who are making history as change agents for maternal mental health support.

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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.