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Fostering Early Learning: Nurturing Growth and Education

The foundation for lifelong learning is built during the
critical early years.

Babies are born with a natural curiosity about the world around them. Between birth and age 3, their brains develop rapidly, building foundations in language, motor skills, and early literacy. These early years lay the groundwork for a lifetime of learning.

Early learning unfolds wherever babies are, whether at home or in the care of skilled early childhood education professionals.

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    Between birth and age 3, a child's brain forms over a million neural connections every second.

    Why It Matters

    Parents and caregivers are looking for guidance on how to help children grow and learn during their first three years, when young children are building more than 1 million neural connections per second.

    Babies and toddlers learn best through loving, consistent and responsive relationships that support play and exploration.

    Explore Early Learning Resources

    By the Numbers

    Not enough babies get high-quality early learning—because families and educators lack access to the services and tools they need to make it happen. 

    32%

    Only 32 percent of babies receive developmental screenings to identify delays or areas of concern.

    45

    Forty-five states do not require minimum levels of training, like a child development associate credential, for early childhood educators of infants and toddlers. In fact, many states require nothing beyond a high school diploma.

    37%

    Only 37 percent of parents read to their babies every day.

    Source: ZERO TO THREE. State of Babies Yearbook: 2022.

    I think I was probably wise enough to know that what kind of childhood you had made a difference in who you were. If you made a difference early on, you probably could help someone have a different life than they otherwise would.

    Jeree Pawl, ZERO TO THREE Founding Member

    Our Impact

    ZERO TO THREE is the go-to resource for evidence-based early learning information.

    We provide parents and professionals with a library of resources that encourage literacy, communication and early math and science skills.

    Developmental screenings through pediatric primary care providers and early intervention programs help address concerns early, but families can’t access these screenings without knowing they exist. Our team of experts supports educators, parents, and caregivers with evidence-based tools they can use today to promote optimal early learning. 

    get our free early math & science curriculum
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    A young fatherhood a father playing with his daughter

    We have three short years to build relationships, nurture brain development and solve for the inequity issues that arise from lack of quality early learning opportunities.

    Policymakers need to provide ongoing support to parents, including child development specialists in pediatric settings. This can help parents be their child’s best teacher, increase education requirements for early childhood educator staff while boosting compensation and support and improve access to developmental screenings and early intervention to ensure development is on track. 

    take action to make early learning a priority

    Related Resources

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    Resource

    Problem Solvers: A Free Early STEM Curriculum

    Children can learn about math, science and engineering through everyday play. Download our complete preschool and early STEM curriculum, activity guide and songs.
    Details
    Open Letter

    When Children and Educators Can Both Be Their Truest Selves, That’s Pride

    Early childhood educator, Leslie Rubino, reflects on finding their gender identity and why they created a program for young queer children, like they once were.
    Details
    Father with toddler and baby
    Distillation

    Multilingualism: Multiple Benefits

    Multilanguage learners (MLLs) are children learning two (or more) languages at the same time. Multilingualism has multiple benefits.
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    Make the most of early
    learning moments.

    The ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™ address three core learning areas that best support infants’ and toddlers’ growth (social-emotional, cognitive and language and literacy)—all while keeping diversity, inclusion, and fairness at the center.

    see training opportunities