My interest in infants and toddlers and the years I spent working with the my communities domestic violence program for children lead me to look into more information on abuse and neglect at the Zero to Three website .  I was astounded to find out that of all the child maltreatment fatalities that happen ¾ of them happen to children in the infant and toddler years.    This reminded me of how important it is to not just support the child at this stage in their lives but the families as well.  The frustration and exhaustion that often accompanies infancy and toddlerhood can lead to moments of anger resulting in permanent damage.  This web site had a number of articles, resource links to help fight against this problem.  There was information on how to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect, information on policy and links to community partners who address this issue as well.  I found it to be a great resource to keep tucked away in case I come across a family who could use this kind of support.

Web Resources- Zero to Three

I have spent the majority of my career in Early Childhood Care and Education with infants and toddlers so the ZERO TO THREE organization really piqued my interest. This is a nonprofit organization whose purpose and mission to provide information training and support all those who love and work with infants and toddlers. They strive to support healthy development for both the children and their families in all domains of learning.

While I was not able to access the numerous articles in past publications concerning diversity and demographics, I did find a common underlying thread that ran though the policies created by the Zero to Three organization. There is a strong emphasis on addressing the needs of the whole child and realizing that social and emotional growth is just as important as cognitive development. Since culture plays a big part in our self-recognition which is at the heart of social and emotional wellbeing, it naturally is an important theme to this organization. This experience also reminded me of how important the first three years are not only to brain development but also to self-concept. All of the experiences we have during these early years teach us something about the world we live in, those around us and ourselves. Creating a positive environment that honors each child and takes into consideration the needs of the group as well as the individual is more important than ever.

For more information on the importance of the first three years and the goals and ambitions of Zero to Three, visit them at www.zerotothree.org.