ZERO TO THREE

You may not think of yourself as an "early childhood professional," but if your work impacts families with young children, you are. Join us this summer to learn how to best support the next generation. Register to help shape early childhood: https://bit.ly/48nSQf1 #LEARNwithZTT

Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), joined by 28 of her colleagues, introduced a resolution recognizing the threat of extreme weather to children’s health and well-being. The resolution expresses the sense of Congress that urgent solutions are needed to prevent and mitigate the consequences of extreme weather for young children and families. The climate crisis is worsening pregnancy outcomes and healthy developmental outcomes for babies. Families with young children are concerned. According to data in ZERO TO THREE’s 2023 State of Babies Yearbook (https://stateofbabies.org/), provided by the RAPID survey, 79% of parents with infants and toddlers, including 88% of Latine parents, are worried about climate change’s impact on their young children.   Thank you, Rep. McClellan for raising your voice in support of policies that would combat the climate crisis on young children, families, and communities. We echo your call for Congress to fund common sense solutions such as improving access to diapers, baby bottles, hygienic and private lactation spaces, and other critical supplies during and after extreme weather events; distributing infant feeding kits before, during, and after emergencies; improving air filtration in homes, child care centers, and other areas frequented by young children; and providing education about the unique vulnerabilities of infants and pregnant people to extreme weather into professional health care education. https://lnkd.in/giy68by9

Biting is one of the most common--and most upsetting--toddler behaviors. Understand how to respond to the child who bit and the child who was bitten. Importantly, learn how to prevent biting in the future with our new behavior wheel: https://bit.ly/3VCQUv0

A child's ability to regulate their emotions and behavior usually comes much later than caregivers expect or desire. And it's influenced by their caregiver's ability to self-regulate. Rahil Briggs & Sarah MacLaughlin explain in their latest for Psychology Today: https://bit.ly/4d5XIs9

Brain development in the prenatal and first three years of life advances at rates that exceed any other time period. This window of infancy and early childhood provides optimal opportunities to build healthy brain development, support the earliest relationships, and promote infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH). Read more: https://bit.ly/4bWLdyP

American Sign Language, often overlooked, holds immense potential and profound value. However, most, if not all, medical professionals continue to push it aside at times, encouraging families not to learn or develop sign language because, in their minds, it will prevent a child from learning spoken language. American Sign Language is still not promoted or recommended to families. Hear more from Dr. Marla Hatrak and her work to advocate for deaf children: https://bit.ly/45bCWEN

More than 20% of babies will have at least one traumatic experience. Whether in a classroom or home setting, caregivers who are aware of the effects of trauma are better equipped to help young children process those negative experiences. The more we support children who have had traumatic experiences, the better their chance of thriving. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bmhBd0

Inspiration-on-demand. Take a virtual journey with the most innovative leaders in early childhood and find your inspiration through their stories. Join us for our new LEARN Conference Virtual Experience, designed to bring transformative learning directly to you, no matter where you are. What You'll Experience Virtually: 🧠 4 opportunities to live stream: View our Keynote session and our Practice, Research/Science, and Policy Plenaries and experience the fresh new voices of industry leaders who are shaping the future of early childhood like Dr. Mariel Buqué, Dixon Chibanda, Walter Gilliam, Miriam Calderon, Jacqueline Wong and Elizabeth Zamudio. 💭 Interactive experience: Participate in real-time facilitated chat with fellow virtual attendees. Share insights, swap ideas, and forge valuable connections with like-minded professionals. 💡 Continuing education: Keep your credentials current and meet continuing education requirements by earning 4 contact hours. 💻 Flexibility: Can’t participate live? Recordings are available on-demand for 30 days. Don't miss out - register today: https://bit.ly/3WmDpRH

Elmo and his friends have long shared conversations about their big feelings, playing an important role in helping young children find words when navigating difficult experiences. But Sesame Workshop and childhood psychologists agree that they are just one step in ensuring mental well-being — and having at least one stable caregiver at home to have those conversations is the next. As Meghan Schmelzer, our senior manager of infant and early childhood mental health policy told STAT, "It's all in the context of relationships." Read more: https://bit.ly/3Lilm95