Empowering Early Childhood Development

The first three years of life are the most important for lifelong mental health and well-being.

We use early childhood development research to create meaningful resources for families, professionals, and policymakers who shape the lives of young children.

Impact Stories

Discover real-world stories and learn about people who make a real impact.

I believe in Early Head Start's mission so much, I got involved myself.

Ana C.

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Our Focus

At ZERO TO THREE, we offer early childhood trainings and resources to address the most critical issues impacting babies and toddlers. Explore our fields of focus.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Trauma

Early Learning

Early Development

Physical Health & Nutrition

Child Care

Child Welfare

Economic Security

Making an Impact Together

Our belief that every child deserves a strong start in life fuels a collective mission to foster healthy development from the very beginning.

Support for Parents and Caregivers

Understanding child development and your role as a parent or caregiver is crucial for molding babies and toddlers into the best versions of themselves. We support parents and caregivers through our projects and programs and early childhood development resources, including research-based tips and tools for effective parenting.

Resources for Professionals

Advance your knowledge and skills with our comprehensive early childhood education training programs for professionals. Our resources, from conferences to free webinars, provide guidance for educators, health care workers and other early childhood professionals. They are designed to enhance your understanding of childhood development and inform effective teaching strategies.

Policy and Advocacy

ZERO TO THREE advocates for policies that promote the well-being and development of babies and toddlers as well as their families. We engage in research and collaborate with policymakers and state legislators to influence legislation related to early childhood education, child welfare and child care solutions. We dedicate our efforts to ensure the needs of infants and toddlers are prioritized in public policy decisions.

Mental and Emotional Health

We emphasize the importance of mental and emotional health in infancy and early childhood development. We provide resources and training for parents, caregivers and professionals on how to nurture emotional well-being in babies and toddlers. Through our programs and campaigns, we promote awareness of the critical impact of early experiences on mental health. We also develop guidelines and tools that you can use to support the mental and emotional needs of babies and toddlers.

Community Support

Our programs, early childhood development resources and training programs empower communities. In addition to offering local resources, we facilitate training sessions for community organizations and professionals to enhance their capacity to support children and families effectively. By fostering community engagement and collaboration, we help create environments that nurture healthy childhood development.

"This is just what I needed to reestablish my motivation in moving forward with this work."

The Latest News and Featured Resources

Explore the latest news and updates in the field of early childhood development.

Press Release

ZERO TO THREE Honors Dr. Joan Lombardi with Lifetime Achievement Award

The award celebrates the child development and social policy expert’s groundbreaking work shaping policies that give babies and families the best possible start

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Distillation

Child Vaccines: Families Have Questions. We Have Answers.

Find common questions and answers about child vaccines to help families and early childhood professionals share clear, supportive information.

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Article

Supporting Babies and Toddlers in Foster Care: What Educators Need to Know

Children under 3 are the largest group entering the child welfare system. How can early childhood educators support babies and toddlers in foster care?

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Open Letter

Reflective Practice Is Hard Work, Here’s Why It’s Worth It

Janie Huddleston highlights how reflective practice, though difficult, is essential for transforming leaders and teams, and serving families in early childhood systems.

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Report

Beyond the Headlines: Expert Analysis on Early Childhood Research

Timely analysis, thoughtful commentary and expert perspectives on early childhood research and stories shaping the field today.

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Good Question

How does parenting across two homes affect babies?

Babies can thrive in two-home arrangements when parents work together to keep caregiving consistent, transitions gentle and relationships strong.

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Distillation

Buzzwords Explained: Reflective Practice

Reflective practice is a tool that invites us to pause and slow down to become aware of thoughts, feelings and reactions that arise in everyday interactions.

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Resource

Preventing Burnout in Early Childhood Professionals: Practical Self-Care Strategies

Understanding the common causes and exploring ways to address burnout in early childhood education can help you effectively manage or even prevent it..

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Distillation

Supporting Babies and Toddlers After Death of a Parent: What Educators Need to Know

Guidance for early childhood educators on how to support babies and toddlers after the death of a parent, using trauma-informed strategies and relationship-based care.

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Distillation

The Child Care Paradox: Families Pay More, Educators Earn Less

America’s child care system is collapsing . Families are paying more than they can afford, while the very educators who make care possible remain some of the lowest-paid workers in the country. The result? Families are squeezed, programs are closing, and children are caught in the middle.

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Resource

Problem Solvers: A Free Preschool 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.

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From birth to 3, a child’s brain produces more than 1 million neural connections each second.

Upcoming Events:

Check out our upcoming in-person and virtual events.

Virtual

October 16, 2025

Testing Our Standards: Drug Screening and Toxicology in Child Welfare Settings

Join Safe Babies, a program of ZERO TO THREE™, for an upcoming webinar by Dr. Mollie Nisen that breaks down the science behind different testing methods, what results really mean, and common pitfalls to avoid.

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Virtual

October 21, 2025

IECMH Financing Webinar 3: Filling the Gap: Tax Revenue Building

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Virtual

November 4, 2025

DC:0—5™: Clinical Training

Tailored for those working with infants and young children, focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and case formulation.

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Virtual

November 5, 2025

The Growing Brain Basics Webinar Series

Explore how the brain grows and develops from conception to 5 years old and how you can support healthy brain development during these years when the brain is the most plastic, or receptive to change.

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Let's make babies and families a national priority.

Your gift to ZERO TO THREE will help give children the best possible start in life.

Supporting a child in their first 1,000 days is a gift that can last a lifetime!

A Closer Look

New Early Childhood Books and Best Sellers | ZERO TO THREE

Explore our vast range of evidence-based resources and educational books designed to strengthen your practice.

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Join the Think Babies™ Campaign!

Learn about how you can get involved in the Think Babies™ campaign to promote enriching early experiences and a strong foundation from the start. It's time for policymakers to think babies.

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Early Childhood Issue Areas

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Calling All Baby Champions

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, community leader or policymaker, you can support our efforts and do your part in giving infants and toddlers a strong start in life.

Sign up for our newsletter to access the latest resources, learn about upcoming events and more. Help advance our initiative by making a donation or becoming a member.