Time for Parents to Bond with Their Babies

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

Bloomberg article highlighting families’ efforts to advocate for paid leave as part of Strolling Thunder and discussing Democratic and Republican bills and funding mechanisms.

News article from Roll Call highlighting Strolling Thunder rally, families’ stories and issues related to paid leave access and health care expenses.

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.

A fact sheet developed by the National Partnership for Women and Families makes the case for strengthening Rhode Island's existing paid family leave policies. 

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.

The National Partnership for Women and Families and ZERO TO THREE have revised a fact sheet that summarizes key research on the importance of paid leave to ensure that infants and young children have adequate bonding time with parents and primary caregivers, which is essential for their healthy brain and emotional development.