Open Letter
Why I Use AI to Monitor my Baby
A new mom shares her experience with AI baby monitors and how they can lighten the mental load or fuel new worries.
Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood
The period from birth to age three is the most consequential window in human development — and it is now unfolding alongside AI.
Embedded in toys, baby monitors, and parenting apps, AI is already reaching the youngest children at the very moment when relationships, play, and language are shaping the brain for life.
Yet most parents and early childhood educators have little guidance on what these technologies mean for healthy development, leaving families to navigate a complex and fast-moving landscape alone. AI is not going away, and the decisions made now will shape an entire generation.
While real risks exist, so does real opportunity — AI could support parents with developmental guidance, help educators personalize care, and expand access for underserved families.
Our goal is to ensure that as AI enters the earliest years of life, it does so in ways that put children first. Without a trusted, child-centered voice at the table, that space will be filled by those whose primary lens is not the well-being of young children.
First Years, New Frontier: Policy Principles for Children and Families in the Age of AI
AI is changing the world that babies and toddlers are growing up in. But what young children need to thrive hasn’t changed: loving relationships, safe places to learn and play, and families with the support they need.
Together with Capita, an independent think tank, ZERO TO THREE developed Young Children, Families, and the Age of AI: Principles for Policy, a policy blueprint with recommendations to help leaders make thoughtful decisions about AI. The principles offer a path forward that embraces AI’s possibilities, protects young children from harm and ensures families share in its benefits.
Generation AI
ZERO TO THREE has joined the Center for Universal Education at Brookings for a series of webinars on how AI is transforming early childhood. Tune in for expert discussions on the impact of AI on child development and education, strategies to maximize benefits, reduce risks, and support young children’s well-being.
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Go, Slow, Stop: A Guide to AI in Early Childhood
When it comes to AI and young children, how do we know when to go, slow down or stop?
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What Preschoolers Understand About AI
What do preschoolers understand about AI? Understand the role of parents and caregivers in guiding AI literacy with young children.
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AI Slop or High-Quality Screen Content? How Parents Can Tell the Difference
Discover the clear indicators of AI-slop that we can use to make good decisions about what kids are watching.
Open Letter
How the Attention Economy Impacts Young Children
Dr. Radesky explains how today's digital media is capturing and commercializing young children’s attention, underscoring the need for stronger parent, platform, and policy responses.
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Resources for Professionals
Explore emerging research around modern brain development and artificial intelligence as a learning tool.
Distillation
AI and Early Childhood Development: Frequently Asked Questions
Experts address frequently asked questions about artificial intelligence (AI) and early childhood development.
Distillation
Using Technology in Early Education Settings
Guidance for early childhood educators to make thoughtful, developmentally appropriate decisions about technology use by emphasizing intentional screen experiences that support rather than replace hands-on learning and relationships.
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The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood: Transforming the Field for Professionals and Children
Artificial intelligence in the early childhood field not only helps professionals by improving efficiency but also opens doors to more personalized learning experiences.
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Getting the Most Out of Screen Time: The PBS KIDS Approach to Learning Through Media
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Related Resources
First Years, New Frontier: Policy Principles for Children and Families in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world around us, including the world our youngest children are growing up in. The technology is developing faster than the infrastructure needed to provide protections.
Open Letter
Why I Use AI to Monitor my Baby
A new mom shares her experience with AI baby monitors and how they can lighten the mental load or fuel new worries.
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The Best Early Childhood Conferences of 2026-2028
Looking for the best early childhood conferences in 2025? Discover must-attend events for educators, caregivers, and child development experts.
