LEARN 2026: Advancing Early Childhood Development
Find your people at LEARN Conference 2026.
LEARN 2026: Advancing Early Childhood Development
Find your people at LEARN Conference 2026.
The first three years of life are the most important for lifelong mental health and well-being.
We support families, professionals and policymakers who shape the lives of young children.
Impact Stories
Discover real-world stories and learn about people who make a difference.
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
Every child deserves a strong start in life. We work to foster healthy development from the very beginning.
Understanding child development is crucial to help caregivers mold 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 community care resources, research-based tips, and tools for effective parenting.
We provide early childhood resources and training programs that support professionals across early learning, health care, mental health services, family support programs and more. Our conferences and trainings, free webinars, and resources deepen understanding of childhood development and strengthen effective practices to help professionals better serve young children and families.
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 and state legislators 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, highlighting the benefits of 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.
Supporting Families: Young Children and Gun Violence
The devastating impact of mass shootings and everyday gun violence touches even our youngest children.
Resource
Go, Slow, Stop: A Guide to AI in Early Childhood
When it comes to AI and young children, how do we know when to go, slow down or stop?
Report
RATTLED: Babies, Families and a Year of Growing Strain
A national snapshot of life for families with infants and toddlers in 2025 reveals a troubling reality: economic pressure, emotional distress and uncertainty intensified across the year even as families fought to provide stability and love for their babies.
Power List
State Action for Babies, Families and Stronger Systems: 2026 Child Welfare Legislative Highlights
Open Letter
Why Home Visiting Is More Essential Than Ever
In this open letter, Dr. Meghan López focuses on how relationship-based home visiting supports families by building trust, addressing complex needs, and strengthening systems around them.
Resource
Parallel Play in Early Childhood: A Guide for Professionals
Learn how parallel play supports early development and how professionals can observe, encourage and discuss it with families.
Distillation
The Child Care Paradox: Families Pay More, Educators Earn Less
America’s child care system is collapsing. Families are paying more than they can afford, while the very educators who make care possible remain some of the lowest-paid workers in the country. The result? Families are squeezed, programs are closing, and children are caught in the middle.
Distillation
What do mental health issues in young children look like?
Babies and toddlers can and do suffer from mental health problems caused by trauma, neglect, biological factors, or environmental situations.
Resource
Word Wonders: A Free Early Language and Literacy Curriculum
Children can learn about language through everyday play. Download our complete preschool early literacy curriculum, activity guide and songs.
Buzzwords Explained: Breaking Down Common Terms in the Early Childhood Field
In this series, ZERO TO THREE's subject matter experts tackle common terms and topics in the early childhood field.
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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.
Portland, OR
October 27, 2026
ZERO TO THREE LEARN Conference 2026
Gain practical strategies, fresh insights and meaningful connections to better support young children, families and your professional growth.
Virtual
November 12, 2026
Partnering with Mother Nature: Wellness and Healing
Explore how nature can support healing, reflection and relational well-being through somatic awareness, storytelling and Indigenous wisdom.
Virtual
November 19, 2026
Special Rebroadcast of the 2026 LEARN Research/Science Plenary
Explore how family, community, and systems shape children’s development and learn to interpret complex contexts more thoughtfully.
Virtual
January 14, 2027
Designing Infant Rooms That Encourage Autonomy, Exploration, and Discovery
Through guided reflection, discussion, and creative activities, participants will strengthen their capacity for reflective, self-aware practice.
Virtual
March 11, 2027
Unpacking the “Invisible Backpack”
Through guided reflection, discussion, and creative activities, participants will strengthen their capacity for reflective, self-aware practice.
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Let's make babies and families a national priority.
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!
A Closer Look
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.
