Babies and toddlers often lack the words to convey how they are feeling, leaving caregivers and professionals to interpret a range of unexpected or atypical behaviors. Understanding and supporting young children in these situations requires knowledge, empathy and access to specialized tools and services.
This resource center is designed for early childhood development professionals working with families affected by stress or trauma. It offers trauma-informed guidance, tools and connections to help professionals support the unique developmental and emotional needs of young children and their caregivers.
Our federal policy team is deeply involved in shaping decisions that impact the well-being of babies and their families. Stay up-to-date on our latest issues.
Because babies and toddlers are entirely dependent on their caregivers, their wellbeing is inextricably tied to those who take care of them. Caring, attentive and supportive adults can help alleviate the traumatizing toll that experiencing a natural disaster can have on the child’s developing brain.
Medicaid ensures millions of children receive essential care including prenatal care, screenings, sick and well-child visits, dental care and vaccines. Without continued federal support, health care costs for eligible families will shift to states, which will be forced to reduce services or increase costs for families.
From creating safe, nurturing environments to connecting families with mental health and legal resources, there is much we can do to help mitigate the effects of these challenging experiences and foster resilience in children and their families.
Implementing trauma training for educators can increase the chances that young traumatized children recover, thrive, and enter kindergarten ready to learn.
This webinar explores trauma language and trauma-responsive efforts to identify structures that bolster child-centered approaches.
This ZERO TO THREE Member article discusses how childhood professionals can provide critical supports and services that build on family strengths and foster resilience in children affected by the trauma of parental incarceration.
This ZERO TO THREE Member article examines the outcomes of implementing a trauma-informed home visiting program in a refugee/immigrant-serving mental health program in Chicago, Illinois.
This tip sheet from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides tips for current caregivers and others to help address the needs of immigrant and refugee children who have experienced traumatic separaton.
In this webinar, early childhood experts have a candid conversation about how adults, whether caregivers, early education professionals, or advocates, can navigate tough conversations with young children.
This free training is for agencies partnering with first responders and offers strategies on scene to mitigate traumatic impacts on young children as well as tips to support their own mental health and well-being.
Guidance and tips for early childhood professionals working with babies and toddlers impacted by natural disasters.
This project promotes efforts to achieve positive outcomes for infants and young children by highlighting research-informed infant-early childhood mental health (IECMH) state policies and scaled initiatives. This directory profiles exemplary IECMH strategies used in state policies and scaled initiatives.
Families face stress and trauma from economic shifts, policy changes and crises like natural disasters. Access to mental health support, child care, and family services can make all the difference—but too many still struggle to get help.
Are you a parent or early childhood professional? How have essential services supported you or the families you work with? What still needs to change?
Your voice can help shape policies that ensure every child gets the strong start they deserve.
What do mental health issues in young children look like?
