Healthy Emotional Development

Join host Ernestine Benedict and early childhood expert, doula, and mother Elizabeth Pihlaja as we explore pregnancy, birth, trauma, and mental health and well-being in the earliest years of life - the years that matter most. Because who we become starts even before birth. You’ll also hear from guest experts Kathy Mulrooney and Jen Boss, discussing what’s working, what’s not, and where we go from here.

Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families published the report Rate of Uninsured Toddlers and Infants on the Rise in partnership with Think Babies. This analysis shows an alarming increase in the rate of uninsured young children, drawing on data from before the COVID-19 crisis, raising Continue Reading

In 2020, Think Babies continued a partnership with the National Conference of State Legislators, highlighting the needs of babies at legislator convenings and through several publications. This includes recent blog posts on the topics of the child care workforce and ...

Think Babies national and state partners are focused on how to meet the needs of babies and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Partners shared the following resources with ZERO TO THREE, including federal and state policy recommendations and guidance to professionals and parents on supporting early development during this challenging time. While we’re pleased to share the wealth of resources from our partners, please note that it does not represent endorsement of the content incl...

Op-ed from ZERO TO THREE Chief Policy Officer Myra Jones-Taylor and Charlotte Brantley, President & CEO of Think Babies state partner Clayton Early Learning discussing the State of Babies Yearbook 2019 and the need for policies and investments to support infants, toddlers and their families in Colorado.

Video from NBC news highlights families’ stories from Strolling Thunder 2019 and their legislative asks, especially access to paid leave.

Article from Providence Journal outlines the 2019 policy priorities of Think Babies state partner Rhode Island Kids Count.

Article from Education NC provides a summary of North Carolina’s second Strolling Thunder event held on April 8, 2019 by Think Babies state partner organizations the North Carolina Early Education Coalition and Child Care Services Association.

The State of Babies Yearbook: 2022 makes clear that our nation’s systems have not ensured all babies have the supports they need to thrive. A nation that tolerates grave disparities and does not prize equity cannot be strong in the long term.

This policy brief from NCSL provides an overview of recent state legislation that supports infants, toddlers and their families, including state laws that: improve access to and quality of child care, ensure parents have time to bond with young children, and empower parents to support their child’s healthy emotional and physical development.