Healthy Emotional Development

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 where a baby is born makes a big difference in their chances for a strong start in life. For the first time, ZERO TO THREE and Child Trends are telling the state-by-state story of America’s babies. The data can be used by policymakers and advocates to identify and act on the challenges facing the youngest members of society.

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.

In partnership with the Think Babies campaign, the National Black Child Development Institute has published a resource providing tips to parents on practical ways to nurture their child’s healthy development, as well as how to become an advocate for policies that will help babies and families to thrive.

As part of our focus on emotional development, Think Babies partner, Georgetown Center for Children and Families, released new resources for state policymakers and advocates. Their new report, Using Medicaid to Ensure the Healthy Social and Emotional Development of Infant and Toddlers, and related webinar highlights practical state strategies to ensure that young children and their families in Medicaid receive the support they need to support strong mental health. A...

In June 2018, the National Governor’s Association (NGA) convened an expert roundtable conversation to review the latest research on early childhood development and current state efforts to support infants and toddlers and their families. In partnership with the Think Babies campaign, NGA recently released a report of that conversation that lays out what state leaders need to do to ensure strong futures for babies and their families.