ZERO TO THREE

Early childhood educators have so many talents — and for Maria and Jacqueline, music is definitely one of them. 🎵 We're proud to share “Ms. Maw,” a beautiful new song written and performed by Maria, Director of Little Dreamer’s Early Learning Center, and Jacqueline, both child care providers and members of the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH) Board of Directors. The song beautifully captures the life and love of a child care professional and even names "infant mental health," perhaps for the very first time in song! Listen now: https://bit.ly/4nnP1y8

Nearly half of US families with young children are struggling to meet their most basic needs. New data from the RAPID Survey Project at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, led by ZERO TO THREE Board Member Dr. Philip Fisher, show that 49% of families with children under age 6 can’t afford essentials like food, housing, child care, or utilities — a 13-point jump since June and one of the highest rates since RAPID began in 2020. "We’re talking about half of families now that are saying, ‘I can’t afford child care,’ or ‘I’m skipping meals in order to feed my kids,” Dr. Fisher said. “And that should be of concern, regardless of your political affiliation or where you live.” Economic security is one of the strongest predictors of long-term well-being. Yet too many families with young children lack the stability they need to thrive. When parents struggle to meet basic needs, babies suffer: their development, health and relationships all feel the impact. Supporting families isn’t just good social policy; it’s essential for children’s healthy development and our collective future. Read more from The 74: https://bit.ly/4oV7hAf

For over 25 years, Early Head Start has provided comprehensive services to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers in families to set babies up for lifelong success. It’s been proven to work, especially for the families who need it most. From health and nutrition to early learning and parent support, EHS gives families the stability and structure they need during the most critical time in a child’s life — the first three years, when the brain is making over a million new connections every second. As the government shutdown continues, increased uncertainty and disruptions to essential programs, like Head Start and Early Head Start, health care, and nutrition, leave babies like these caught in the middle Tell Congress to work together and end this shutdown now: https://bit.ly/43psOsf

We know these are challenging times for so many professionals who’ve dedicated their careers to supporting children and families. Your work matters, deeply. If you’re exploring your next step, our Career Center highlights opportunities from across the early childhood community so you can continue making a difference where it’s needed most: https://bit.ly/47JWqlJ

We all have at least one thing in common - we all started as babies. Our early life relationships and experiences inform the development of our nervous systems. Our nervous systems inform the development, functioning, and maintenance of pretty much every thing we do, think, and feel for the rest of our lives. Early relationships and experiences make an impact for the rest of our lives. #iecmh #earlyrelationalhealth #childwellbeing #earlychildhoodeducation #childwelfare #childrensmentalhealth #relationshipsmatter #parenting ZERO TO THREE

This November, join a community of professionals dedicated to supporting the mental health of young children: https://bit.ly/3YdzQNs Deepen your understanding of the DC:0–5™ Diagnostic Classification through real-world case examples, guided learning, and expert insight. You’ll learn to: - Apply a developmentally sensitive, relationship-based diagnostic lens - Strengthen your skills in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health assessment - Understand the value of a multiaxial approach for comprehensive care Don’t miss this chance to learn straight from the source.

What does it really take to lead with intention in early childhood systems?   In early childhood work, it’s easy to keep going without pausing, because the needs are constant and the stakes are high. But reflection isn’t a luxury. It’s what helps us stay connected to our purpose, support one another, and show up fully for the babies and families we serve.   This month’s newsletter centers the power of reflective practice and shares resources designed to support your well-being, leadership and impact. Whether you're shaping systems or guiding one child at a time, we’re here to help you stay informed, grounded and inspired.   You take care of so much. Let this be a space that takes care of you.

Babies can’t self-soothe. That’s where we come in. Co-regulation = borrowing a caregiver’s calm. It’s how babies learn to handle big feelings before they have words or skills to do it solo. ✅ Rocking them when they cry ✅ Speaking gently when they’re upset ✅ Holding them close during scary moments It’s not spoiling. It’s science. And it starts from birth. More here: https://bit.ly/3GjZStn

✨ Happy Celebrate Babies Week! ✨ We need your voice now more than ever. Join us Thursday October 30th in Lansing, MI for our 3rd annual Infant Mental Health Day at the Capitol! Complementary breakfast, lunch, free CEUs and a priceless opportunity to raise your voice for Michigan babies and families. You don’t want to miss it! https://lnkd.in/gXzn-Siq #MI-AIM, #babiesremeber #infantmentalhealth

They started in Early Head Start. And look at them now! Zakari's family reflects on what the program gave them: "Early Head Start helped Zakari learn skills that helped shape his overall development." Over 65,000 children and their families are at risk of losing access to Head Start and Early Head Start in just over two weeks due to the federal government shutdown. Six programs in three states serving 6,525 children are already operating without federal funding, drawing on emergency local resources to stay open. Every child deserves a strong start in life, but not every child starts from the same place. Congress, we need you work together to fund the programs and services babies need. Take action here: https://bit.ly/43psOsf